Stevensville School District 

STUDENT INSTRUCTION

High School Graduation

The Board will award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in the District who meets graduation requirements established by the District. The official transcript will indicate the specific courses taken and level of achievement. The Board has established graduation requirements for Stevensville High School students. Generally, any change in graduation requirements will become effective for the next class to enter ninth (9th) grade. Exceptions to this rule may be made when it is determined by the Board that proposed changes in graduation requirements will not have a negative effect on students already enrolled in STEVENSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.

To graduate from STEVENSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, a student must have satisfactorily completed at least one (1) semester, and successfully complete requirements, prior to graduation as a STEVENSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL student. To be considered for valedictorian or salutatorian honors a student must attend STEVENSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL for at least three (3) complete semesters. Highly unusual exceptions may be considered, such as a student exchange program in a recognized school.

A student with a disabling condition will satisfy those competency requirements incorporated into the individualized education program (IEP). Satisfactory completion of the objectives incorporated in the IEP will serve as the basis for determining completion of a course.

Credits

Students shall be expected to earn a total of twenty-four (24) units in order to complete graduation requirements. Specific credit requirements may be found in the student handbook.

Waiver of Requirement

Graduation requirements generally will not be waived under any circumstances. The Board may waive specific course requirements based on individual student needs and performance levels. Waiver requests shall also be considered with respect to age, maturity, interest, and aspirations of the students and shall be in consultation with the parents or guardians.

Alternative Programs

A student may be given credit for a course satisfactorily completed in a period of time shorter or longer than normally required and, provided that the course meets the district’s curriculum and assessment requirements, which are aligned with the content standards stated in the education program. Credit toward graduation requirements may be granted for planned learning experiences from accredited programs, such as summer school, university courses, correspondence courses, extension, and distance learning courses, adult education, work study, work-based learning partnerships, and other experiential learning opportunities, custom-designed courses, and challenges to current courses. The District shall accept units of credit taken with the approval of the District and which appear on the student’s official school transcript. Credit for work experience may be offered when the work program is a part of and supervised by the school. All classes attempted at Stevensville High School and all acceptable transfer credits shall be recorded on the transcript. All grades earned, including failures and retakes, shall be recorded as such and utilized in the calculation of Grade Point Average and class rank. Credit shall be awarded only once regardless of repetition of the course.

Honor Roll

A student must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 to 3.49 to be placed on the “B” honor roll, and a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 to 4.0 to be placed on the “A” honor roll. Specific information regarding honors at graduation are included in the student handbook.

Class Rank (Grade Point Average)

Class Rank is compiled from semester grades. Courses not eligible for GPA are designated with an asterisk on the report card.

Early Graduation

The Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent to recommend to the Board for early graduation students who have completed the minimum requirements for graduation in less than eight semesters.

Educational Disruption

If a student who has experienced an educational disruption meets the minimum high school credit requirement for graduation as established by administrative rules of the Board of Public Education but will not meet a higher credit requirement established by Board of Trustees, the District shall award the student a diploma.

For the purposes of this policy, “educational disruption” means a disruption experienced during
grades nine through twelve caused by homelessness, involvement in the child welfare system or juvenile justice system, a medical or mental health crisis, or another event considered a qualifying educational disruption by the District.

Legal Reference:
§ 20-5-201, MCA Duties and sanctions
10.55.904, ARM Basic Education Program Offerings: High School
10.55.906, ARM High School Credit
10.55.905, ARM Graduation Requirements
§ 10-1-1402, MCA Montana Youth Challenge
House Bill 246 Revise education laws to enhance local control and opportunities for pupils
§ 20-1-101, MCA Definitions (Revised by House Bill 246)
§ 20-3-324, MCA Powers and duties (Revised by House Bill 246)
§ 20-7-118, MCA Offsite provision of educational services by school district (Revised by House Bill 246)
§ 20-4-101, MCA System and definitions of teacher and specialist certification –student teacher exception (Revised by House Bill 246)
§ 20-7-1601, MCA Forms of personalized learning –legislative intent (Revised by House Bill 246)

Policy History:
Adopted on: February 12, 2002
Reviewed on: April 12, 2016; April 12, 2022
Revised on: May 10, 2016; May 10, 2022; July 12, 2023