Students in every Washington district must meet the state and district graduation requirements in order to earn a diploma. Graduation requirements are intended to ensure that students leave high school prepared for their next step toward college, career, and life.
To earn a diploma in Camas School District, students must:
- Earn high school credit
- Pass state assessments or approved alternatives
- Complete a culminating (senior) project
- Complete a High School and Beyond Plan
Graduation Toolkit
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has created a graduation toolkit to help families understand and navigate graduation requirements. You’ll find information on courses and credits, state assessments, and more. Access the toolkits here.
Culminating Project
In order to graduate, students must design and complete a project on a topic of their choice, and then present the project to other students, teachers, parents, and/or community members. This integrated learning project helps students understand the connection between school and the real world.
Complete a High School and Beyond Plan
The High School and Beyond Plan gets students thinking about their future and how to get the most out of high school so they’re ready to pursue their adult lives, no matter what direction they plan to go.
Ideally, students write their plan in grade 8 or 9, and then continue to revise it throughout high school to accommodate changing interests or goals. Students are encouraged to include the following elements in their plan:
- Their personal story—what experiences, interests, and goals are shaping who they are now and who they want to become
- Their learning style—how they best receive instruction and why.
- Their goals for high school—what their four years of high school look like, including classes, extracurricular activities, sports, a job, etc.
- Their goals for immediately after high school—what classes are needed to prepare for a two to four year college, vocational or technical school, certificate program, or the workforce.
Core 24
The State Board’s vision of an education system that prepares all students for college, career, and life is at the core of a 24-credit framework designed to be both rigorous and flexible. Core 24 is a recently adopted set of credit requirements for high school graduation. Elements of this framework are being phased in for the Class of 2016, and the full 24 credits will be required for the Class of 2019.
Many districts, including Camas School District, have been given a two-year extension, in order to ensure that all students have access to opportunities that will lead to the 24-credit diploma. These opportunities need to include electives that enable students to pursue their interests and passions for topics such as music, business, yearbook, journalism, psychology, and leadership, to name a few. Some elective opportunities may occur beyond the school day, such as with afterschool programs, internships, and summer learning.
Core 24 is designed to provide students with a strong academic foundation and the flexibility to prepare them for whatever path they choose after high school—whether that’s the workforce, an apprenticeship in the trades, or a community or four-year college.
For more information on Core 24 and credit requirements, please visit the State Board of Education web page.