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Guidance » Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from GJHS all students need to earn 26 credits in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 and all students must pass certain subjects.  

  • The Greater Johnstown School Board shall acknowledge each student's successful completion of the instructional program appropriate to the student's interests and needs by awarding diplomas and certificates at graduation ceremonies
  • The Board shall adopt the graduation requirements students must achieve in accordance with state regulations.  Furthermore, the Board of Directors will establish Promotion Requirements for earning Senior status
  • Promotion Requirements for Senior status are:
    • 3 English - English I, II and III as well as a proficient/advanced score on the ELA Keystone Exam by grade 11.  Beginning with the class of 2019, students will need to earn a score of proficient/advanced in the Composition Keystone Exam or on a state-approved project-based assessment after two failed attempts on the content specific Keystone to be considered a senior
    • 3 Math - Keystone Algebra, as well as a proficient/advanced score on the Keystone Algebra I Exam by 11th grade or on a state, approved project-based assessment after two failed attempts on the content specific Keystone
    • 2 Science - Active Science and Biology as well as a proficient/advanced score on the Keystone Biology Exam
    • 3 Social Studies - American History I, American History II, and World History as well as a proficient/advanced score on the Civics/US Government Keystone exam (starting with the class of 2020) or on a state-approved project-based assessment after two failed attempts on the content specific Keystone
  • The Board shall award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in this district who meets the requirements of graduation established by this Board and/or by the completion of goals in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as developed and agreed upon in the IEP
  • The Board shall permit a student with a disability, whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP) prescribes continued educational services, and who has attended four (4) years of high school, to participate in commencement ceremonies with his/her graduating class and receive a certificate of attendance.  The student may receive a high school diploma when he/she completes his/her Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
  • A list of all candidates for the award of a diploma shall be submitted to the Board for its approval by April or May of each school year by the building administration
  • A requirement for graduation shall be the completion of required assessments, work, and studies representing the instructional program assigned to grades 9 through 12, which shall be aligned with established state academic and PA core standards and/or by the completion of goals in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
  • The Board requires that each candidate for graduation shall have earned 26 credits
 
Greater Johnstown High School Graduation Requirements
    • English
      • 4 Credits
        • English I, English II, English III, English IV, English Language and Composition AP and English Literature and Comoposition AP
          • Students must earn a proficient/advanced score on the ELA Keystone in order to graduate
    • Mathematics
      • 4 Credits
        • Math 9 and Keystone Algebra along with two additional math courses are needed for current 9th-grade students not enrolled in Keystone Algebra or Algebra II.  Algebra I and three additional courses are needed for 9th-grade students taking Algebra I.  Students who fail the Keystone Algebra I will be required to attend mandatory tutoring sessions through ASL
          • Students must earn a proficients/advanced score on the Algebra I Keystone in order to graduate
    • Science
      • 3 Credits
        • Physical Science, Biology and Earth and Environmental Science for those who fail the Keystone in 10th grade and one additional science elective for those who pass the BIology Keystone in grade 10
          • Students must earn a proficient/advanced score on the Biology Keystone in order to graduate
    • Social Studies
      • 4 Credits
        • American History I, American History II, US Government and World History, or AP US History I, AP US History II, AP US Government and AP World History
          • Starting with the class of 2020, students must earn a proficient/advanced score on the Civics/US Government Keystone in order to graduate
    • Health and Wellness 9/Freshman Seminar
      • 1 Credit
        • Health and Wellness 9/Freshman Seminar or Health and Wellness for those students who transfer in after their 9th-grade year
    • Strategic Reading or Composition and Writing
      • 1 Credit
        • Strategic Reading/Composition and Writing (9th-grade students only)
    • 9th Grade Elective
      • 1 Credit
        • 1 elective in 9th grade from the approved list (9th-grade students only)
    • Academy Electives
      • 8 Credits
        • Academy Electives-must include a Personal Finance course for all seniors
 
The fourth year of high school shall not be required for graduation if a student has completed all requirements for graduation, has the principal's recommendation, earned a proficient/advanced score on the required Keystone Exams and attends a post-secondary institution as a full-time student or meets the criteria for acceptance into a full-time Board Approved Internship.  Otherwise, students must attend four full years at the high school
 
A student may qualify for graduation by attending high school part-time when officially enrolled part-time in a post-secondary institution
 
The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for planning and executing graduation ceremonies that appropriately recognize this important achievement.  In order to participate in the commencement ceremony, students must earn passing grades in all core content courses during their senior year starting with the graduating class of 2017.  The building administration shall have discretionary authority in matters involving this policy
 
Accurate recording of each student's achievement of established state academic and PA core standards shall be maintained, as required by law and state regulations
 
Students and parents/guardians shall be informed of graduation requirements students are required to complete
 
Periodic warnings shall be issued to students in danger of not fulfilling graduation requirements through the individual teachers and assigned counselors
 
A student who has completed the requirements for graduation shall not be denied a diploma as a disciplinary measure.  However, the student may be denied participation in the graduation ceremony when personal conduct so warrants.  Such exclusion shall be regarded as a school suspension

Assessment and Additional Requirements for Graduation

Keystone Requirements

For the Graduating classes of 2019:  In order to be eligible for graduation from Greater Johnstown High School, a student must demonstrate proficiency in Algebra I, ELA and Biology by scoring a ‘Proficient’ or ‘Advanced’ score on the Pennsylvania Keystone Assessment or a Project Based Assessment evaluated and scored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

A student who does not attain proficiency on the ELA, Algebra I and Biology Keystone Exams will graduate if he/she successfully completes any of the alternatives listed below:

  • The level of proficiency for a student with an IEP may be determined through the IEP process and students can graduated of the goals specifically listed in the student’s IEP.
  • Complete the state project based assessment with a satisfactory rating determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  

Students who do not score ‘Proficient’ or ‘Advanced’ on the Algebra I and ELA Keystone Assessment will not be eligible for Cooperative Education and/or Dual Enrollment Classes during their senior year. Starting with the class of 2017, all students will be required to score proficient or advanced in Algebra 1, Literature and Biology. Classes of 2015 and 2016 are required to score proficient or advanced in Algebra 1 and Literature.

Alternate Eligibility- To be eligible for Co-Op/ Work Release/ Diversified Occupation during their senior year, students must score proficient on project based Keystone Assessment from the Pennsylvania Dept of Education, a district approved Keystone equivalent assessment, and/or have a minimum score of 400 in each Math and Verbal sections of the SAT.