Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a total of 26 credits to graduate. The core curriculum includes:

Math: 4 courses, including Algebra I, II, Geometry, and one higher-level course (must be enrolled in math every year).

English: 4 courses (English I, II, III, and IV).

Science: 3 courses, including Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and a third lab science.

Social Studies: 4 courses, including World History/Geography (or AP Human Geography), American History, Economics, and U.S. Government and Civics.

Other Required Credits: Lifetime Wellness (1), Physical Education (1), Personal Finance (1), Fine Arts (1), and Computer Science (1).

Note: Participation in school sports, cheer, dance, or marching band can satisfy the Physical Education requirement.

World Language: 2 courses in the same language.

Testing: Students must take the ACT and a U.S. Civics test (project-based assessment completed in Government class) to graduate.

Elective Focus Areas

Students must earn 3 credits in one specific program of study beyond the standard requirements:

Math/Science: 3 additional courses beyond the 7 required for graduation.

Humanities/Fine Arts: 3 additional courses in social studies, English, foreign language, or arts.

CTE: 3 credits in a Career and Technical Education area (e.g., Agriculture, Health Science, Business, STEM).

Advanced Placement (AP): Completion of 3 AP courses and their corresponding tests.

Dual Enrollment (DE): Earning credit in at least 3 DE courses.   

Honors and Advanced Academics

Honors Classes: These include independent study and research. They add 3 points to the final grade and are weighted with an additional 0.5 quality points (e.g., $A=4.5$).

Graduating with Honors: Students must meet ACT readiness benchmarks: English (18), Math (22), Reading (22), and Science (23).

Graduating with Distinction: Requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and completion of one specific achievement, such as earning an industry certification, attending Governor’s School, or scoring a 31+ on the ACT.

Registration and Important Dates

• Form Distribution: 8th graders at Watertown Middle and Tuckers Crossroads receive class request forms on Monday, December 2nd.

  Deadline: Signed forms must be returned to school counselors by Friday, December 6th.

• High School 101: For 9th-grade students on July 21st or July 22nd (8:30–11:00 a.m.).

• New Student Orientation: Thursday, July 24th at 6:00 p.m..

• School Information Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m..

• Schedule: Block scheduling with 4 academic classes per semester (8 credits possible per year).

• Contact: April Burress (9th/10th grade counselor) at lawreapr100@wcschools.com.

Graduation with Distinction Students will be recognized as graduating with “distinction” by attaining a B (3.0 cumulative GPA or above) average and completing at least one of the following: 

○ Earn a nationally and or state recognized industry certification
○ Participate in at least one (1) of the Governor’s Schools
○ Participate in one (1) of the state’s All State musical organizations 
○ Earn statewide recognition or award at a skill- or knowledge-based state tournament, convention, or competition hosted by a statewide student organization, and/or qualify for national recognition by a national student organization 
○ Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semifinalist
○ Attain a score of thirty-one (31) or higher composite score on the ACT or SAT equivalent
○ Attain a score of three (3) or higher on at least two Advanced Placement exams 
○ Earn 12 or more semester hours of college credit as indicated on high school transcript.

• MUST score at or above the readiness benchmarks in all  subject areas on the ACT (or equivalent score on the SAT)

  The ACT benchmarks:

  English - 18

  Math – 22

  Reading- 22

  Science – 23

Total credits required for graduation: 26 credits including the following:

• • Math: 4 credits  - Including Algebra I, II, Geometry and a fourth higher level math course (Students must be enrolled in a mathematics course each school year.)
  • English: 4 credits
  • Science: 3 credits - Including Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and a third lab course
  • Social Studies: 4 courses/3 credits - World History and Geography or AP Human Geography, U.S. History and Geography, Economics, and U.S. Government and Civics
  • Wellness: 1 credit
  • Physical Education: 1 course/.5 credit
  • Personal Finance: 1 course/.5 credit
  • World Language: 2 credits
  • Fine Arts: 1 credit
  • Elective Focus: 3 credits [2 credits (9th, 10th) 1 credit (11th, 12th)] - Three credits must be earned in one of the programs of study listed below.  
  • These credits are in addition to the required credits for graduation.
    • Math and Science
    • Humanities/Fine Arts
    • Career & Technical Education (CTE)-Agriculture, Business, Criminal Justice, Health Science, STEM
    • JROTC (In order to receive an elective focus in JROTC, students must complete 4 credits of JROTC.
    • Advanced Placement

• Do you want to be challenged?  Do college courses interest you?  Learn about the different options in this powerpoint which will explain the differences between Honors vs AP vs various types of Dual Enrollment.