Beginning with the freshman class matriculating into USD 108’s high school, a total of twenty-one (21) units must be earned in four years in order to be eligible for a Washington County High School Diploma.  Of these units:

1. Four (4) units of English language arts, which shall include reading, writing, literature, communication, and grammar. The building administrator may waive up to one unit of this requirement if the administrator determines that a pupil can profit more by taking another subject;

2. Three (3) units of history and government, which shall include world history; United States history; United States government, including the Constitution of the United States; concepts of economics and geography; and, except as otherwise provided in S.B.R. 91-31-32, a course of instruction in Kansas history and government;

3. Three (3) units of science, which shall include physical, biological, and earth and space science concepts and which shall include at least one unit as a laboratory course;

4. Three (3) units of mathematics, including algebraic and geometric concepts;

5. Two (2) units of physical education, which shall include health and which may include safety, first aid, or physiology. This re-quirement shall be waived if the school district is provided with either of the following:

   1. a. A statement by a licensed physician that a pupil is mentally or physically incapable of participating in a regular or modified physical education program; or

   2. b. A statement, signed by a lawful custodian of the pupil, indicating that the requirement is contrary to the religious teachings of the pupil;

6. One (1) unit of fine arts, which may include art, music, dance, theatre, forensics, and other similar studies selected by a local board of education; and

7. Five (5) units of elective courses.

Driver Education shall be counted as one-fourth (1/4) unit toward the twenty-one (21) required for graduation.  A maximum of four (4) units in Physical Education and a maximum of four (4) units in Art will be counted toward graduation.  All other courses not mentioned specifically in this policy shall count as one (1) unit. 

Seniors must complete all requirements for graduation in order to participate in commencement exercises.  Junior/Senior transfer students may have the requirements reviewed and possibly rescinded by majority vote of the board of education.  Additionally, a student may retake any high school course and utilize the higher of the grades earned for his/her cumulative grade point average.  Also the approval of the administration and instructor, students may take the same course twice in one semester provided that the students have ‘free’ periods, and that satisfactory progress has been made by the individual student toward meeting graduation requirements.