High School Graduation Requirements
Graduation from West Ottawa High School means that a student has satisfactorily completed the prescribed courses of study in accordance with his/her respective abilities and has completed requirements as prescribed by the West Ottawa Board of Education and the State of Michigan. The educational program of the West Ottawa district is designed to be completed in thirteen years, culminating in the awarding of a diploma. Whenever possible, the school district will provide opportunities for a student to complete the program within the prescribed thirteen years.
To qualify for a diploma under the usual conditions, a student must
- Have been in attendance 9th - 12th grades or a minimum of twelve trimesters, or be able to verify thirteen years of school attendance.
- In order to graduate early, students must meet board and state graduation requirements. Additionally, a student must submit an Early Graduation Application in the Main Office.
- Be enrolled in five subjects each trimester of the twelve required trimesters.
- Complete the minimum credits for graduation, including
(1 unit = 2 trimesters)
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2010
| English 1 | 1 unit of credit | |
| English 2 | 1 unit of credit | |
| American Literature 1 | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Speech | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Algebra | 1 unit of credit | |
| Algebra 2A | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Geometry | 1 unit of credit | |
| U.S. History | 1 unit of credit | |
| World History | 1 unit of credit | |
| Biology | 1 unit of credit | |
| Chemistry | 1 unit of credit | |
| Government*, Constitutional Law*, AP Gov* | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Electives | 18.5 units of credit |
Credits from required classes: 10.0
Minimum credits to graduate: 28.0
*Completion of Community Service component required to earn credit
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2011
| English 1 or Honors English 1 | 1 unit of credit | |
| English 2 or Honors English 2 | 1 unit of credit | |
| English 3 or Equivalent Honors, AP or Dual Enrollment | 1 unit of credit | |
| English 4 or Equivalent Honors, AP or Dual Enrollment | 1 unit of credit | |
| American Literature 1 | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Speech | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Algebra | 1 unit of credit | |
| Algebra 2 | 1 unit of credit | |
| Geometry | 1 unit of credit | |
| Elective Math (during senior or final year) | 1 unit of credit | |
| U.S. History/Geography, Honors US History/Geography or AP Equivalent | 1 unit of credit | |
| World History/Geography, Honors World History/ Geography, or AP Equivalent | 1 unit of credit | |
| Biology or Equivalent Honors or AP | 1 unit of credit | |
| Chemistry or Equivalent Honors or AP | 1 unit of credit | |
| Conceptual Physics, Physics, or AP Physics | 1 unit of credit | |
| Economics or AP Economics | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Government, Constitutional Law, AP Gov | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Visual/Performing/Applied Arts | 1 unit of credit | |
| Successful Living | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Physical Wellness Elective | 0.5 unit of credit | |
| Electives | 12 units of credit |
Credits from required classes: 16.0
Minimum credits to graduate: 28.0
Students must complete all academic requirements to receive a West Ottawa diploma.
Under regular circumstances, students can earn eight (8) credits per year (7.5 from regular classes plus 0.5 from seminar.), totaling 32 credits during their high school career. All trimester classes count as 0.5 credits.
THE PRINCIPAL MUST approve any deviations from the graduation requirements.
