The Governing Board desires to prepare all students to obtain a high school diploma to enable them to take advantage of opportunities for postsecondary education and/or employment.
In December 2013, the Gilroy Unified Board of Education took action calling for the class of 2018 to meet all A-G requirements as a default curriculum. While all students will follow the program outlined, on a case by case basis the principal may adjust individual student programs to meet specific personal and educational needs with the approval of the Executive Team. English learner and special education students and those who can demonstrate academic need may qualify to request exemption status from the A-G requirements.
(cf. 5127 - Graduation Ceremonies and Activities)
(cf. 5147 - Dropout Prevention)
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.3 - Reciprocity of Academic Credit)
Course Requirements
Comprehensive High Schools
Beginning with the class of 2018, to obtain a high school diploma from the comprehensive high schools, students shall complete 220 credits including the following course credits in grades 9-12:
1. 40 credits in English (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.91 - Reading/Language Arts Instruction)
2. 30 credit in mathematics (Education Code 51225.3)
Common Core Integrated Math 1, 2, and 3 courses
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6142.92 - Mathematic Instruction)
At least one mathematic course, or a combination of the two mathematic courses, shall meet or exceed state academic content standards for Algebra I or Mathematics I. Completion of such coursework prior to grade 9 shall satisfy the Algebra I or Mathematics I requirement, but shall not exempt a student from the requirement to complete two mathematic courses in grades 9-12. (Education Code 51224.5).
Students may be awarded up to one mathematics course credit for successful completion of an approved computer science course that is classified as a "category c" course based on the "a-g" course requirements for college admission. (Education Code 51225.3, 51225.35)
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6142.92 - Mathematics Instruction)
(cf. 6152.1 - Placement in Mathematics Courses)
3. 30 credits in science, including biological and physical sciences (Education Code 51225.3) which must include one year of "Life Science" and one year of "Physical Science" with labs
(cf. 6142.93 - Science Instruction)
4. 30 credits in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and a one-semester course in economics (Education Code 51225.3)
5. 10 credits in visual or performing arts (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.6 - Visual and Performing Arts Education)
6. 20 credits in World Language (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.2 - World/Foreign Language Instruction)
Students may receive up to one (1) World Language course waiver for successfully meeting the requirements of a World Language Level 2 Advanced Placement course.
The ten (10) credit requirement will be moved to Electives, increasing that requirement to 45.
7. 20 credits in physical education, unless the student has been otherwise exempted pursuant to other sections of the Education Code (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education)
8. 5 credits in Vocational Education
9. 35 credits in elective
Continuation High School
To obtain a high school diploma from the continuation high school, students shall complete 182 credits in grades 9-12.
1. 40 credits in English
2. 20 credits in Mathematics
At least one mathematics course, or a combination of the two mathematics courses required for completion in grades 9-12, shall meet or exceed state academic content standards for Algebra I. (Education Code 51224.5)
Completion, prior to grade 9, of algebra coursework that meets or exceeds state academic content standards shall satisfy the algebra coursework requirement, but shall not exempt a student from the requirement to complete two mathematics courses in grades 9-12. (Education Code 51224.5)
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6142.92 - Mathematics Instruction)
3. 20 credits in science, including biological and physical sciences (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.93 - Science Instruction)
4. 30 credits in social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics; and one-semester course in economics (Education Code 51225.3)
5. 10 credits in Fine Arts of Foreign Language
6. 20 credits in physical education, unless the student has been otherwise exempted pursuant to other sections of the Education Code. (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6142.7 - Physical Education)
7. 40 credits in Electives
8. 2 credits in Senior Portfolio
Early College High School
To obtain a high school diploma from the early college high school, students shall successfully complete a senior project, and [g4] complete 300 credits in grade 9-12:
To obtain a high school diploma from the early college high school, students shall successfully complete a senior project, and [g4] complete 275 credits in grades 9-12 of which 40 college units (equivalent to 133 high school credits) must be college coursework (excluding units earned due to Advanced Placement scores):
1. 50 credits in English Language Arts
10 credits Freshman Honors English
10 credits Sophomore Honors English
10 credits Junior AP English
*10 credits for College ENGLISH 1A Coursework
*Score of 3, 4 or 5 on AP English Language and Composition will allow credit for College English 1A credit
10 credits College Coursework
2. 30 credits in History Social Science
10 credits World History (AP)
10 credits US History (AP)
5 credits American Government (AP)
5 credits Economics (AP)
3. 40 credits in Mathematics
10 credits Freshman Integrated Math I (Honors)
10 credits Freshman/Sophomore Integrated Math II (Honors)
10 credits Sophomore/Junior Integrated Math III (Honors)
10-30 required College Coursework (Pre-Calculus or Statistic minimum)
4. 30 credits in Science
10 credits Biology Honors
10 credits Chemistry Honors
10 credits College Science Elective
5. 30 credits College Language other than English
6. 10 credits College Visual and Performing Arts
7. 5 credit College Vocational Education
8. 20 credits Physical Education
10 credits Freshman PE 9
10 credits Elective College Kinesiology
9. 60 credits in Electives
28 credits Academic Prep
10 - 40 credits Seminar
12+ credits elective College Coursework
10 credits senior projects
Additional credits offered: High School Elective Courses (3 per semester, 30-40 maximum possible):
Teaching Assistant
AcaPrep Tutor
Student Leadership (Student Government)
Total credits required for graduation: 275
Alternative Credits Toward Graduation
Because the prescribed course of study may not accommodate the needs of some students, the Board shall provide alternative means for the completion of prescribed courses in accordance with the law.
(cf. 6146.11 - Alternative Credits Toward Graduation)
(cf. 6146.2 - Certificate of Proficiency/High School Equivalency)
Community Services Requirement
Beginning with the graduating class of 2014 all high school students in the Gilroy Unified School District will be required to demonstrate evidence of completion of 80 hours of Community Services.
(cf. 6142.4 - Service Learning/Community Services Classes)
Exemptions and Waivers
A foster youth, homeless student, or former juvenile court school student who transfers into the district any time after completing his/her second year of high school shall be required to complete all graduation requirements specified in Education Code 51225.3 but shall be exempt from any additional district-adopted graduation requirements, unless the Superintendent or designee makes a finding that the student is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate by the end of his/her fourth year of high school. Within 30 days of the transfer, any such student shall be notified of the availability of the exemption and whether he/she qualifies for it. (Education Code 51225.1)
(cf. 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures)
(cf. 5145.6 - Parental Notifications)
(cf. 6173 - Education for Homeless Children)
(cf. 6173.1 - Education for Foster Youth)
(cf. 6173.3 - Education for Juvenile Court School Students)
In addition, the Superintendent or designee shall facilitate the on-time graduation of children of military families by waiving specific course requirements for graduation if the student has satisfactorily completed similar coursework in another district. (Education Code 49701)
(cf. 6173.2 - Education for Children of Military Families)
Retroactive Diplomas
Until July 31, 2018, any student who completed grade 12 in the 2003-04 school year or a subsequent school year and has met all applicable graduation requirements other than the passage of high school exit examination shall be granted a high school diploma. (Education Code 60851.6)
The district may retroactively grant a high school diploma to a former student who was interned by order of the federal government during World War II or who is an honorably discharged veteran of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, provided that he/she was enrolled in a district school immediately preceding the internment or military service and he/she did not receive a diploma because his/her education was interrupted due to the internment or military service. (Education Code 51430)
The district also may retroactively grant a diploma to a deceased former student who satisfies the above conditions. The diploma shall be received by the deceased student's next of kin. (Education Code 51430)
In addition, the district may grant a diploma to a veteran who entered the military service of the United States while he/she was a district student in grade 12 and who had completed the first half of the work required for grade 12. (Education Code 51440)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
47612 Enrollment in charter school
48200 Compulsory attendance
48204.4 Parents/guardians departing California against their will
48412 Certificate of proficiency
48430 Continuation education schools and classes
48645.5 Acceptance of coursework
48980 Required notification at beginning of term
49701 Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
51224 Skills and knowledge required for adult life
51224.5 Algebra instruction
51225.1 Exemption from district graduation requirements
51225.2 Student in foster care defined; acceptance of coursework, credits, retaking of course
51225.3 High school graduation
51225.35 Mathematics course requirements; computer science
51225.36 Instruction in sexual harassment and violence; districts that require health education for graduation
51225.5 Honorary diplomas
51225.6 Compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation
51228 Graduation requirements
51240-51246 Exemptions from requirements
51250-51251 Assistance to military dependents
51410-51413 Diplomas
51420-51427 High school equivalency certificates
51430 Retroactive high school diplomas
51440 Retroactive high school diplomas
51450-51455 Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
51745 Independent study restrictions
56390-56392 Recognition for educational achievement, special education
66204 Certification of high school courses as meeting university admissions criteria
67386 Student safety; affirmative consent standard
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
1600-1651 Graduation of students from grade 12 and credit toward graduation
4600-4670 Uniform complaint procedures
COURT DECISIONS
O'Connell v. Superior Court (Valenzuela), (2006) 141 Cal.App.4th 1452
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education, High School: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs
University of California, List of Approved a-g Courses: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements
Policy GILROY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: September 19, 2019 Gilroy, California