Graduation Requirements

Western High School

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High School Graduation Requirements

To graduate from high school, unless otherwise exempted, each student is responsible for:

1. Completing all District graduation requirements.
2. Completing all courses described below, as determined by when the student entered the 9th grade. A minimum of 25.5 credits for Seniors (2015), 25 credits for Juniors (2016), Sophomores (2017) and Freshman (2018); and all other incoming classes must be completed to graduate.
3. Passing an examination on patriotism and principles of representative government, proper use of the flag, methods of voting, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Taking the Prairie State Achievement Examination or designated state testing.
5. Earning eighteen (18) hours of community service, with 4.5 hours being completed by end of the school year in each year of high school.

Students Entering the 9th Grade in the 2014-2015 School Year

1. Four years of English which include Language Arts and writing practice.
2. Three consecutive years (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Years) of Mathematics, one of which must be Algebra I and one of which must include Geometry content.
3. Three consecutive years (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Years) of Science, one of which must be a Physical Science and one must be Biology.
4. Three years of Social Studies, of which at least one year must be History of the United States, at least half of one year must be American Government and at least half of one year must be Illinois History or Civics which will now have both American Government and Illinois History.
5. Four years of Physical Education.
6. Two years chosen from (A) Music, (B) Art, (C) Foreign Language, (D) Business, (E) Approved Elective.
7. One half year of Consumer Education
8. One half year of Computer Literacy
9. One half year of Health.

Graduation Requirements

1. A student must take five classes each term to be a student at WHS.
2. A student must have all school bills and accounts paid in full.
3. A student must purchase a district-approved cap and gown.
4. A student must meet all graduation requirements in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.

The above requirements do not apply students with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an Individualized Education Program.