To earn a diploma
A Hawai‘i High School Diploma shall be issued to students who meet the following minimum course and credit requirements (Board of Education
Policy 102-15):
| SUBJECT | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA |
|---|
| English |
4 credits including: English Language Arts 1 (1.0 credit) and English Language Arts 2 (1.0 credit); Expository Writing* (0.5 credit); and
Common Core aligned language arts electives or proficiency based
equivalents [ELA basic electives (1.5 credits)]
|
| Social Studies |
4 credits including: U.S. History and Government (1.0 credit); and World History and Culture (1.0 credit); and Modern History of Hawaii (0.5 credit); and Participation in a Democracy (0.5 credit); and Social Studies basic elective (1.0 credit) |
| Mathematics |
3 credits including: Algebra 1 (1.0 credit); and Geometry (1.0 credit); and mathematics basic elective (1.0 credit) |
| Science |
3 credits including: Biology 1 (1.0 credit); and science basic electives (2.0 credits) |
- World Language
(note 1)
- Fine Arts
(note 2)
- Career and Technical Education / JROTC
(note 3)
|
2 credits in one of the specified programs of study.
|
| Physical Education (P.E.) |
1 credit including Physical Education Lifetime Fitness (0.5 credit); and Physical Education basic elective (0.5 credit) |
| Health |
0.5 credit in Health Today and Tomorrow |
| Personal Transition Plan |
0.5 credit |
| Electives (Any Subject Area) |
6 credits |
|
TOTAL: |
24 credits |
*
Or equivalent course.
Notes:
- Two credits in a single World Language. Credits must be taken in sequence with consecutive course numbers in the study of one language.
- Two credits in a Fine Arts discipline: Visual Arts, Music, Drama or Dance. Credits do not need to be in a single discipline.
-
CTE: Two credits need to be in a single
career pathway program of study sequence.
JROTC: Two consecutive JROTC courses fulfill CTE two credits for diploma requirements.
Honors Recognition Certificate requirements
In addition to meeting the requirements for the Hawai‘i High School Diploma, students must attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above to qualify for a honors recognition certificate in one or more of the honors described below.
-
Academic Honors:
-
4 credits of Math: The four credits must include one credit for Algebra 2 and one credit beyond Algebra 2. The credit beyond Algebra 2 must be earned via the following courses or equivalent Running Start math courses: Algebra 3, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, Precalculus, Probability, Statistics, Introduction to College Mathematics, Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, IB Math Studies, or IB Math Standard Level AND
-
4 credits of Science: Of the four credits, one credit must be in Biology 1 or equivalent IB Biology; or AP Biology courses AND
-
2 credits minimum must be from AP/IB/Running Start courses (equivalent to credits for two college courses).
-
CTE Honors:
- Completes two courses in a program of study.
- Earn a B or better in each required program of study (coursework)
- Meet or exceed proficiency on performance-based assessments for corresponding program of study
-
STEM Honors:
-
4 credits of Math: The four credits must include one credit for Algebra 2 and one credit beyond Algebra 2. The credit beyond Algebra 2 must be earned via the following courses or equivalent Running Start math courses: Algebra 3, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, Precalculus, Probability, Statistics, Introduction to College Mathematics, Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, IB Math Studies, or IB Math Standard Level AND
-
4 credits of Science: Of the four credits, one credit must be in Biology 1 or equivalent IB Biology; or AP Biology courses.
-
Successful completion of a
STEM Capstone Project in one of the approved ACCN courses.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Hawai‘i State Board of Education established a Seal of Biliteracy to be awarded upon graduation to students who demonstrate a high proficiency in both of the state's two official languages (English and Hawaiian) OR either of the state’s two official languages and at least one additional language, including American Sign Language. Learn more.
Grade Point Average
This cumulative grade point average applies to all graduates. Learn more about how GPAs are calculated here.
- Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.5
- Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.5+ to 3.8, and
- Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.8+ and above.
Valedictorian designation
Effective for the Class of 2016 and beyond, graduating seniors will be declared valedictorian if the following criteria are met:
- GPA of 4.0; and
- Earned and met the requirements of one of the Honor Recognition Certificates.
Valedictorians will be named after the third quarter.
Commencement exercises
Commencement exercises may be scheduled any time after the last day of school for seniors. The last day of school for seniors shall be set by the Hawai‘i State Department of Education. Students shall be permitted to participate in commencement if they:
- meet the requirements for a diploma or a certificate;
- have fulfilled their financial obligations; and
- meet other conditions, established by the Department of Education, which meet the standards of clarity, reasonableness, and justifiability.
