Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements - 4-year, 24 credit diploma

for students entering grade nine prior to the 2007-2008 school year
Total Credits 24 credits
English 4 credits Students must take (one credit each) English I, II, III, and IV or their equivalents.
Mathematics 3 credits Students must earn one credit in Algebra I, a series of equivalent courses or a higher level mathematics course, i.e. Algebra II or a level 3 mathematics course, if Algebra I was taken prior to ninth grade but high school credit was not awarded, as part of this requirement.
Science 3 credits At least two credits must have a laboratory component.
Social Studies 3 credits American Government - 1/2 credit; World History - 1 credit; American History - 1 credit; Economics - 1/2 credit
Physical Education 1 credit One-half credit of personal fitness and one-half credit of a physical education course that consists of both basic knowledge and skill related activities. For alternative methods of meeting the physical education requirement, students should contact their guidance counselor or assistant principal for curriculum.
Health Education ½ credit Life Management Skills
Fine Arts/Practical Arts ½ credit of each or 1 credit of either
Grade Point Average 2.0000 for all credits earned
State Assessment Passing score on FCAT Reading and FCAT Math

Successful completion of the International Baccalaureate curriculum satisfies course requirements for graduation.

Students wishing to enter a state-supported university as a freshman must earn two sequential credits in a foreign language.

Under certain circumstances, credit may be earned by attending the extended learning program, adult evening high school, the St. Petersburg College dual credit program, or Florida Virtual High School. Students must make arrangements with their high school principal (or designee) prior to enrolling in such courses in order for credit to be earned in this manner.

Graduation Requirements - 4-year, 24 credit diploma

for students entering grade nine in 2007-2008 and subsequent years
Total Credits 24 credits 16 core courses

4 elective courses

4 courses in a major
English 4 credits Students must take (one credit each) English I, II, III, and IV or their equivalents.
Mathematics 4 credits Students must earn one credit in Algebra I, a series of equivalent courses or a higher level mathematics course, i.e. Algebra II or a level 3 mathematics course, if Algebra I was taken prior to ninth grade but high school credit was not awarded, as part of this requirement.
Science 3 credits At least two credits must have a laboratory component.
Social Studies 3 credits American Government - 1/2 credit; World History - 1 credit; American History - 1 credit; Economics - 1/2 credit
Physical Education/Health 1 credit Students must take one credit in physical education with integrated health (HOPE) to meet this requirement.
Fine Arts 1 credit
Grade Point Average 2.0000 for all credits earned
State Assessment Passing score on FCAT Reading and FCAT Math


Successful completion of the International Baccalaureate curriculum satisfies course requirements for graduation.

Students wishing to enter a state-supported university as a freshman must earn two sequential credits in a foreign language.

Under certain circumstances, credit may be earned by attending the extended learning program, adult evening high school, the St. Petersburg College dual credit program, or Florida Virtual High School. Students must make arrangements with their high school principal (or designee) prior to enrolling in such courses in order for credit to be earned in this manner.


Graduation Requirements 18 Credit College Preparatory Diploma
Total Credits 18 credits

At least 6 of the 18 credits required for this program must be earned in classes that are honors, advanced placement, IB, or dual enrollment.

 3 year time limit-A student who does not meet all requirements for the College Preparatory Diploma by the end of the third year in high school automatically reverts to a four-year graduation program option.
Credits in grades 9 and 10 A student who does not earn at least 5 credits by the end of grade 9 or 11 credits by the end of grade 10 will be reassigned to the four-year graduation program option.
English 4 credits Courses must include a major concentration in composition and literature.
Mathematics 3 credits The three credits must be at Algebra I level or above from list of courses that qualify for state university admission.
Science 3 credits The 3 credits must be in a natural science (and two must have laboratory component).
Social Studies 3 credits American Government (1/2 credit); World History (l credit); American History (l credit): Economics (1/2 credit)
World Language 2 credits 2 credits in the same second language or demonstrated competency in a language other than English
Electives 3 credits
Grade Point Average 3.5000 for credits earned in the program
Students must earn at least a “B” (3 points) in an unweighted class and a “C” (3 points) in a weighted class to receive course credit in the College Preparatory Program. In addition, a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale must be earned in the program.
State Assessment Passing score on FCAT Reading and FCAT Math


Graduation Requirements 18 Credit Career Preparatory Diploma
Total Credits 18 credits 3 year time limit-A student who does not meet all requirements for the Career Preparatory Diploma by the end of the third year in high school automatically reverts to a four-year graduation program option.
Credits in grades 9 and 10 A student who does not earn at least 5 credits by the end of grade 9 or 11 credits by the end of grade 10 will be reassigned to the four-year graduation program option.
English 4 credits Courses must include a major concentration in composition and literature.
Mathematics 3 credits One of the three credits must be in Algebra I.
Science 3 credits The 3 credits must be in a natural science (and two must have laboratory component).
Social Studies 3 credits American Government (1/2 credit); World History (l credit); American History (l credit): Economics (1/2 credit)
Career Preparation 3 credits This requirement may be met with 3 credits in a single vocational or career education program, or 3 credits in career and technical certificate dual enrollment, or 5 credits in vocational career technical courses.
Electives 2 credits Two credits must be earned in electives unless 5 credits are earned in career preparation.
Grade Point Average 3.0000 for credits earned in the program Students must earn at least a weighted or unweighted “C” (at least 2 points) in a class to receive course credit in the Career Preparatory Program. In addition, a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale must be earned in the program.
State Assessment Passing score on FCAT Reading and FCAT Math




Grading Scale
The following point scale will apply to all high schools, as well as to middle school students enrolled in high school courses in grade 7 or 8 for credit toward graduation:

A = 4 grade points (90-100) (outstanding progress)
B = 3 grade points (80-89) (above average progress)
C = 2 grade points (70-79) (average progress)
D = 1 grade point (60-69) (lowest acceptable progress)
F = 0 grade points (O-59) (failure)
Percents between eighty-nine percent (89%) and ninety percent (90%), seventy-nine percent (79%) and eighty percent (80%), sixty-nine percent (69%) and seventy percent (70%), and fifty-nine (59%) and sixty percent (60%) shall be rounded up to the higher grade if at the midpoint (.5) or above; those below the midpoint (.5) shall be rounded down to the lower grade.

Calculating Final Grades
The final grade in high schools offering the seven (7) credit schedule is a semester grade determined by giving equal value to each of the grades of the three (3) marking periods and to the final examination.
To obtain the semester grade, add the unweighted grade point values of the three (3) term grades (T) and the unweighted grade point value of the exam grade (E), and divide that total by four (4):

    (Tl+T2+T3+E)/4 = Semester Grade*
In courses for which final examinations are not prescribed, the final grade will be determined by averaging the unweighted grades of the three (3) terms:

    (Tl+T2+T3)/3 = Semester Grade*

The resulting semester grade average is converted to a letter grade based on the scale below (see paragraph (c) regarding grades at the midpoint):

    A = 3.5-4

    B = 2.5-3.5

    C = 1.5-2.5

    D = .5-1.5

    F = 0-.5

*These formulas for arriving at a student's grade may be nullified in any course in which the passing of a county test is part of the requirements, as stated in the County Course Description Catalog.

Weighted Grade Point Average
Grades are assigned the following point values only when determining class ranking and for averages for summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude status, valedictorian, salutatorian, and the National Honor Society:
A B C D F
Honors (Q) 5 4 3 1 0
Regular 4 3 2 1 0
Basic (B) 3 2 1 .5 0
Class Rank: Class rank will be computed based on all courses taken for high school credit through the first semester of the 12th grade year.
Honors Status
Students must earn the following cumulative weighted grade point averages (not rounded) to qualify for honors status. High school seniors who become eligible for an honors status during the second semester of their senior year shall have their seals mailed to them.
Summa cum laude- GPA greater than 4.0

Magna cum laude -
GPA greater than 3.8 but less than or equal to 4.0

Cum laude -
GPA greater than or equal to 3.5 but less than or equal to 3.8

With Distinction -
GPA greater than or equal to 3.25 but less than 3.5
FAST TRACK BA
THREE-YEAR BACCALAUREATE
IN PINELLAS COUNTY
Students in designated Pinellas County high schools may participate in a special program that will permit them to obtain their bachelor’s degree within three years after graduating from high school and save a year’s worth of college cost at the same time.
The Fast Track BA, which offers an opportunity to specialize in many different majors, is a joint program offered by Pinellas County Schools, St. Petersburg College, and the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus. High school students can simultaneously earn high school and college credits without charge and complete college a year early. Students and their parents will save a full year of tuition and other costs of attending college. For more information contact the assistant principal for curriculum for further information regarding Fast Track B.A.

* The Fast Track BA Program is currently available at Dunedin High School.

Dual Credit
The 2010-2011 St. Petersburg College Dual Credit Course list will be distributed in late Spring after School Board approval.
Dual credit courses provide standard diploma students with the opportunity to earn high school credit as well as college credit from St. Petersburg College (SPC). Course offerings at high schools will vary. College application fees and tuition are waived by the college and textbooks are paid for by the school district.
In order to be eligible to take dual credit classes students must:
  1. be in 11th or 12th grade (other eligible secondary students must be academically advanced and in need of college level courses to meet specific high school graduation requirements);
  1. have a cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and
  1. have earned an acceptable score on the SPC placement test.
Students may enroll only in dual credit courses that are included in the Pinellas County Schools’ Articulation Agreement with the college. SPC requires that students take the final exam in all courses.
With permission from the high school principal, students who meet the above eligibility requirements, may enroll in specified dual credit courses on the SPC campus as part of their regular high school schedule for up to half of the school day. Students must complete the application for Dual Campus form and obtain approval of the high school principal or designee prior to enrolling in classes on the SPC campus.
Guidance Counselors and the dual credit liaison in each high school have further details regarding this program.


Early Admission
A high school student may enter St. Petersburg College, University of Florida, or University of South Florida Honors Colleges after the 11th grade provided that certain requirements have been satisfied. College application fees and tuition are waived by the college. This program requires that students spend their senior year as a full-time college student, completing high school graduation requirements while working toward their college AA degree.
In order to be eligible for early admission to college students must:
  1. have completed three full years of high school with a minimum of 18 credits earned;
  1. have a cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (3.8 for USF Honors College);
  1. have met the minimum level of performance for high school graduation on the FCAT;
4. have earned a 0.5 high school credit in a physical activity course or 1.0 HOPE credit;
5. have earned an acceptable score on the college placement test;
6. have obtained the signature of the high school principal on the application for Early Admission to college by July 15th for Fall and November 15th for Spring; and
7. have met the college application deadline.

Guidance Counselors and the dual credit liaison in each high school have further details regarding this program.



Early College

The Early College Program is a partnership between St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County Schools that offers new and innovative options for high school students.

Students entering grades 11 and grade 12 based on availability in Pinellas County high schools, as well as private and home-schooled students, who meet dual enrollment eligibility standards and reside in Pinellas County, will have the opportunity to attend the Early College Program.

Private and home-schooled students will be required to enroll in a public high school to participate. Students will remain dual-enrolled in their home high schools (allowing them to participate in extracurricular activities) while taking all classes at St. Petersburg College.

Attend an information sessions in January or early February.

For specific dates and times go to

www.spcollege.edu/central/earlycollege
 
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