Jump to section
- Standard Diploma
- Advanced Studies Diploma
- Sequential Elective Information
- Graduation Information for Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan
- Transfer Students
- Diploma Warranty
- Diploma Seals
The Virginia Board of Education sets forth requirements for students associated with the year the student entered 9th grade for the first time. Students will meet with their school counselor each year to update their Academic and Career Plan (ACP) and diploma type. Prince William County Public Schools Regulation 662-1B, “Graduation Requirements,” states that a student must complete all requirements for graduation prior to participation in the graduation ceremony to include earning the required number of standard and verified credits based on the diploma type.
Standard Diploma
22 Standard Credits, 5 Verified Credits: Students who enter 9th grade in 2018-19 and beyond
| Course | Credits | Verified Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 2 | Courses shall include English 9, 10, 11, and 12, or an advanced equivalent. |
| Math | 3 | 1 | Courses shall include at least two different course selections from among Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis, Algebra 2, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra 2. |
| Science | 3 | 1 | Courses shall include at least two different course selections from among Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the IB Diploma. |
| History and Social Science | 3 | 1 | Courses shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and one of the following: World History to 1500 and World History from 1500. |
| Health and Physical Education |
2 |
Courses shall include Health and Physical Education 1 and 2. First Aid, CPR, and AED Training |
|
| Economics/ Personal Finance (Virtual course component included) |
1 |
Students will meet the virtual course graduation requirement after taking and passing this course in Prince William County Public Schools. |
|
| Electives | 6 |
Students can satisfy the sequential elective requirement with any two credits that demonstrate a progression in the study of a specific field (not two introductory courses) from any discipline. The two sequential electives may be in any discipline as long as the courses are not specifically required for graduation in 8VAC20-131-51 of the standards. Students may take the focused sequence of elective courses in consecutive years or any two years of high school. In addition to the two required sequential elective credits, students will need to satisfy the CTE/Visual and Performing Arts/World Language requirement by taking any of the following combinations:
|
|
| Other Requirements |
CTE Credentialing Exam: Students must take and pass a Career and Technical Education credentialing exam that has been approved by the Virginia Board of Education Or Take one advanced course during their high school career. An advanced course can be defined as any AP/Advanced, IB/Pre-IB, AICE/IGSCE course, or dual enrollment. Or Participate in a High-Quality Work-Based Learning experience as defined by the Virginia Department of Education. |
Advanced Studies Diploma
26 Standard Credits, 5 Verified Credits: Students who enter 9th grade in 2018-19 and beyond
| Course | Credits | Verified Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 2 | Courses shall include English 9, 10, 11, and 12, or an advanced equivalent. |
| Math | 4 | 1 | Courses shall include at least three different course selections from among Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra 2. |
| Science | 4 | 1 | Courses shall include at least three different course selections from among Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the IB Diploma. |
| History and Social Science | 4 | 1 | Courses shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and both World History to 1500 and World History from 1500. World Geography may be accepted as one of the required World History courses for transfer students. |
| World Language | 3 or 4 | Students can satisfy the World Language requirement for the Advanced Diploma with either three years of one language or two years each of two languages. | |
| Health and Physical Education |
2 |
Courses shall include Health and Physical Education 1 and 2. First Aid, CPR, and AED Training |
|
| Economics/ Personal Finance (Virtual course component included) |
1 | Students will meet the virtual course graduation requirement after taking and passing this course in Prince William County Public Schools. | |
| Electives | 3 or 4 |
Students can satisfy the sequential elective requirement with any two of the three required elective credits that demonstrate a progression in the study of a specific field (not two introductory courses) from any discipline. The two sequential electives may be in any discipline as long as the courses are not specifically required for graduation in 8VAC20-131-51 of the standards. Students may take the focused sequence of elective courses in consecutive years or any two years of high school. Students can satisfy the World Language requirement for the Advanced Diploma with either three years of one language or two years each of two languages. If using World Language courses to meet both the sequential elective requirement and the World Language graduation requirement for an Advanced Studies diploma, students would need a total of five credits in World Language; either five credits of the same language, or (if taking two different languages) two credits of one language and three credits of another language. |
|
| Other Requirements |
CTE Credentialing Exam: Students must take and pass a Career and Technical Education credentialing exam that has been approved by the Virginia Board of Education Or Take one advanced course during their high school career. An advanced course can be defined as any AP/Advanced, IB/Pre-IB, AICE/IGSCE course, or dual enrollment. Or Participate in a High-Quality Work-Based Learning experience as defined by the Virginia Department of Education. |
Sequential Elective Information
Graduation Information for Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan
Students with disabilities who have an IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to pursue the Advanced Studies or Standard Diploma. The IEP or 504 team will work with students and their families to determine the appropriate individual path to graduation for the student.
Credit Accommodations
Students are eligible to pursue an Advanced Studies Diploma, Standard Diploma, or Applied Studies Diploma. Students may use credit accommodations to earn the Standard Diploma if they meet the following eligibility requirements:
- The student has a current IEP or 504 plan with standards-based content goals;
- The student has a disability that precludes him or her from achieving and progressing commensurate with grade level expectation, but is learning grade level content;
- The student needs significant instructional supports to access grade level Standards of Learning (SOL) content and to show progress; and
- Based on multiple objective measures of past performance, student might not be expected to achieve the required standard and verified units of credit within the standard time frame.
Credit accommodations shall be determined and documented by the student's IEP team or 504 plan committee, including the student where appropriate, at any point after the student's eighth grade year.
Applied Studies Diploma (For Students With An IEP)
Students with disabilities who complete the requirements of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and do not meet the requirements for other diplomas shall be awarded the Applied Studies Diploma.
Transition Services (For Students With An IEP)
Realizing successful postsecondary outcomes is a goal PWCS has for all students. Depending on the severity of disability and the support services required in adult life, successful transition from high school to adult life may require that planning activities begin in elementary school with students exploring their interests in middle school. Starting the process early prepares students with disabilities to think about what they want to be able to do in adult life. High school transition planning includes exploring postsecondary opportunities and employment options and may include connecting with the adult service agencies that may provide the student with services.
Statement Of Needed Transition Services - Beginning No Later Than The First IEP Developed When The Eligible Student Is 14
Recognizing the need for students with disabilities to engage in effective transition planning, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that transition planning be part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP). Beginning no later than the first IEP developed when the eligible student is 14, the Team considers the student's need for transition services and documents this discussion. If appropriate, the IEP includes a statement of needed transition services. Such documentation must be reviewed and updated annually thereafter. Students must be invited to all meetings and allowed to participate actively when transition planning is discussed and are encouraged to actively participate.
Linkages To Post School Options - Beginning No Later Than The First IEP Developed When The Eligible Student Is 14 And Update Annually
Beginning no later than the first IEP developed when the eligible student is 14, the IEPs of students should include a post school vision statement as well as identify the transition services necessary to support the vision. IDEA defines transition services as a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that:
- Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the student with a disability to facilitate the student's movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;
- Is based on individual strengths, preferences and interest; and
- Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. (P.L. 108-446, Sec 603 (34))
Transfer Students
Students who transfer to Prince William County Public Schools from a public school system within the state of Virginia must meet all graduation requirements set forth by the Virginia Department of Education. Students who transfer to Prince William County Public Schools from a private or out-of-state school will work with their school counselor to make an individualized graduation plan that allows the student some flexibility in meeting graduation requirements as set forth by the Virginia Department of Education. Students who enroll during the school year after the first 20 hours of instruction will be required to meet the following verified unit of credit requirements for graduation:
Students entering 9th grade for the first time during 2018-19 and beyond, Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma.
| Year Entering | Verified Credits Required |
|---|---|
| Beginning of or during 9th grade | Student must obtain all five required verified units of credit |
| Beginning of or during 10th grade | Student must obtain all five required verified units of credit |
| Beginning of 11th grade | Student must obtain all five required verified units of credit |
|
During 11th grade |
Student must obtain two verified units
*One must be earned in mathematics if participation in mathematics testing is required by federal law. |
| Beginning of 12th grade |
Student must obtain two verified units
*One must be earned in mathematics if participation in mathematics testing is required by federal law. |
| During 12th grade | Student may apply for a waiver of verified units with the Virginia Board of Education. |
Students transferring with weighted credits from other school districts will have those credits assessed and aligned with similar courses in PWCS. Students may also be granted additional flexibility in meeting some of the course requirements for graduation as outlined in the Virginia Standards of Accreditation. Any student or parent with questions about graduation requirements for transfer students should consult with their assigned school counselor. Students whose parents are active duty military may receive additional flexibility as outlined in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Information for transfer students is available in each school counseling office.
Diploma Warranty
Prince William County Public Schools provides a two-year warranty for diploma recipients. The diploma warranty guarantees minimum competencies in mathematics, reading, and writing. Students receiving a diploma from Prince William County Public Schools:
- Understand, interpret, and analyze written material;
- Carry out oral and written directions or obtain clarification when necessary;
- Express ideas both orally and in writing, using appropriate vocabulary and proper grammar;
- Locate and obtain needed information from common reference materials, computerized databases, maps and diagrams, and resource people;
- Apply basic computation skills; and
- Use problem-solving strategies in the work environment.
Prince William County Public Schools graduates who are identified by employers as lacking one or more of these minimum competencies may be retrained through Prince William County Public Schools' Evening School program at no expense to the graduate.
Diploma Seals
Students meeting specific requirements for graduation and demonstrating exemplary performance may receive diploma seals for recognition. Section 8VAC20-131-51 of the Standards of Accreditation establishes the requirements for diploma seals. The Virginia Department of Education provides the following seals to local school divisions.
Board of Education Seal
The Board of Education Seal is awarded to students who complete the requirements for a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of "A".
Career and Technical Education Seal
The Board of Education's Career & Technical Education Seal is awarded to students who:
- Earn either a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma and complete a prescribed sequence of courses in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that they choose and maintain a "B" or better average in those courses; or
- Pass an examination or an occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that confers certification or occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, trade or professional association or acquire a professional license in that career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Board of Education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements. Visit The Path to Industry Certification for the current approved licenses and examinations.
Governor's Seal
The Governor's Seal is awarded to students who complete the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of "B" or better, and successfully complete college-level coursework that will earn the student at least nine transferable college credits in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, or dual enrollment courses.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Seal
The STEM Seal shall be awarded to students who earn either a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma and satisfy all math and science requirements for the Advanced Studies diploma with a "B" average or better in all course work, and successfully complete a 50 hour or more work-based learning opportunity in a STEM area, and satisfy all requirements for a Career and Technical Education concentration (a concentration is a coherent sequence of two or more state-approved courses as identified in the course listing within the CTE Program Area Guide), and pass one of the following:
- A Board of Education CTE STEM-H credential examination; or
- An examination approved by the Board that confers a college-level credit in a STEM field.
Seal for Excellence in Civics Education
The Board of Education's Seal for Excellence in Civics Education is awarded to students who earn either a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma and meet each of the following criteria:
- Complete U.S. and Virginia History and U.S. and Virginia Government with a grade of "B" or higher; Complete Virginia & United States History and Virginia & United States Government courses with a grade of "B" or higher.
- Have good attendance and no disciplinary infractions as determined by local school board policies.
- Complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities, such as volunteering for a charitable or religious organization that provides services to the poor, sick or less fortunate; participating in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or similar youth organizations; participating in Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC); participating in political campaigns, government internships, Boys State, Girls State or Model General Assembly; or participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities that have a civics focus. Any student who enlists in the United States military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met this community service requirement.
Seal for Excellence in Science and the Environment
The Board of Education's Seal for Excellence in Science and the Environment is awarded to students who entered the 9th grade for the first time in the 2018-19 year and thereafter, and meet each of the following criteria:
- Earn either a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma.
- Complete at least three different first-level board-approved laboratory science courses and at least one rigorous advanced-level or postsecondary-level laboratory science course, each with a grade of "B" or higher.
- Complete laboratory or field-science research and present that research in a formal, juried setting.
- Complete at least 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities that involve the application of science such as environmental monitoring, protection, management, or restoration.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Board of Education's Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who earn a Board of Education-approved diploma and:
- Pass all required End-of-Course Assessments in English reading and writing at the proficient or higher level; and
- Demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate-mid level or higher in one or more languages other than English, as demonstrated through an assessment from a list to be approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. American Sign Language qualifies as a language other than English. Please visit the Seal of Biliteracy webpage for more information, including the list of assessment options for meeting the foreign language proficiency requirement.