Sara LeonardParent Academic LiaisonMira Mesa High School

Graduating at Mira Mesa High Course Requirements

Pass the CAHSEE Senior Exhibition/Portfolio Academic and Citizenship: 2.0 GPA or

above

CREDITS:

Know that meeting high school graduation requirements does not guarantee acceptance to colleges or universities.

To graduate, students must earn a total of 44 semester credits in appropriate areas between grades 9-12.

Appropriate Areas/Requirements:

California High School Exit Exam

CAHSEE Issued in 10th grade over two days

Tests student proficiency in English and Math

Students must pass both portions in order to receive a high school diploma in the state of California

350 is a passing score/380 is a proficient score

Students with IEPs receiving special education services can apply for a waiver but must attempt the exam per Federal NCLB requirements

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA): An overall 9th – 12th grade GPA of 2.0

or higher is required to graduate. The GPA is computed on the basis of: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.

A GPA of 2.0 in both scholarship and

citizenship is required for participation in extracurricular activities, including interscholastic athletics.

WEIGHTED GRADE POINT AVERAGE: Weighted courses receive more points

towards a students GPA

Only Advanced Placement and some honors courses will be given a weighted GPA for high school graduation

AP students are no longer required to take the AP exam to receive a weighted grade

SENIOR PORTFOLIO:

San Diego Unified School District requires students complete a senior portfolio as a graduation requirement.

Detailed information about senior portfolio requirements can be found on the school website.

Students have multiple options to meet this mandated requirement.

OPTION: COMMUNITY SERVICE Community service requirements for

college admissions should be carefully reviewed.

It is not a requirement for high school graduation, but it is highly recommended for acceptance into many colleges and universities.

OPTION: DIPLOMA WITH ACADEMIC DISTINCTION Option 1: Student must earn a GPA of 3.5

or higher for all courses taken in grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12.

Option 2: Student must meet the following three requirements:

1. Grades 9-12: 2 years of Science and Foreign Language. Requirements may be met prior to grade 9 if courses are equivalent to those offered in grades 9-12.

2. Grades 10-12: 14 semester credits with grades A or B in specific selected courses.

3. Four of the required 14 semester credits must be earned in grade 12.

“Other” College Requirements: Take the SAT and/or ACT UC, State and private colleges or

universities have varying entrance requirements

Students can take tests multiple times and schools use the “top” scores

Students can take the PSAT in October to get a better sense of what the SAT is like

Throughout High School Communicate with the school and your

student

Review student transcripts every semester

Meet with counselors to discuss missing credits and options of credit recovery

Encourage students to pass classes the first time since resources will be limited in the coming years for credit recovery options