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

1. Completing all District graduation requirements that are in addition to the State requirements.
2. Completing all courses as provided in the School Code, 105 ILCS 5/27-22. 
3. Completing all minimum requirements for graduation as specified by Illinois State Board of Education rule, 23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.440.
4. Passing an examination on patriotism and principles of representative government, proper use of the flag, methods of voting, and the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. Participating in State assessments that are required for graduation by the School Code, 105 ILCS 5/2-3.64a-5(c).
6. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, filing one of the following: (1) a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the U.S. Dept. of Education, (2) an application for State financial aid, or (3) an Ill. State Board of Education (ISBE) waiver form indicating that the student understands what these aid opportunities are and has chosen not to file an application. If the student is not at least 18 years of age or legally emancipated, the student’s parent/guardian must file one of these documents on the student’s behalf.

A student is exempt from this requirement if: (1) the student is unable to file a financial aid application or an ISBE waiver due to extenuating circumstances, (2) the Building Principal attests the District made a good faith effort to assist the student or the student’s parent/guardian with filing a financial aid application or an ISBE waiver form, and (3) the student has met all other graduation requirements.

The Superintendent or designee is responsible for:

1. Maintaining a description of all course offerings that comply with the above graduation requirements.
2. Notifying students and their parents/guardians of graduation requirements.
3. Developing the criteria for #4 above.
4. Complying with State law requirements for students who transfer during their senior year because their parent(s)/guardian(s) are on active military duty. This includes making reasonable adjustments to ensure graduation if possible, or efforts to ensure that the original (transferor) school district issues the student a diploma.
5. Taking all other actions needed or necessary to implement this policy.

Early Graduation
The Superintendent or designee shall implement procedures for students to graduate early, provided they finish 7 semesters of high school and meet all graduation requirements.

Certificate of Completion
A student with a disability who has an Individualized Education Program prescribing special education, transition planning, transition services, or related services beyond the student’s 4 years of high school, qualifies for a certificate of completion after the student has completed 4 years of high school.  The student is encouraged to participate in the graduation ceremony of his or her high school graduation class.  The Superintendent or designee shall provide timely written notice of this requirement to children with disabilities and their parents/guardians.

The District will award a diploma to a service member who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the U.S. Armed Forces or an honorably discharged veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam Conflict  provided that he or she (1) resided within an area currently within the District at the time he or she left high school, (2) left high school before graduating in order to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, and (3) has not received a high school diploma.

LEGAL REF.:  105 ILCS 5/2-3.64a-5 5/22-27, 5/27-3, 5/27-22, and 5/27-22.10.
105 ILCS 70/, Educational Opportunity for Military Children Act.
23 Ill.Admin.Code §1.440.

CROSS REF.: 6:30 (Organization of Instruction), 6:310 (High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students), 6:315 (High School Credit for Students in Grade 7 or 8), 6:320 (High School Credit for Proficiency), 7:50 (School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools)

ADOPTED:  November 22, 2004
REVISED:    March 26, 2012
April 13, 2015
June 13, 2016
January 22, 2018
January 27, 2020