EARLY GRADUATION

For the purposes of Polk County School Board District Policy 5460, the term "early graduation" means graduation from high school in less than eight (8) semesters and has completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits.A student may choose the option of early graduationONLY if the student has completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits and otherwise meets the requirements for graduationas outlined in Polk County School Board Policy 5460 and F.S. 1003.4282(3)(a)-(e).PLEASE NOTE:A student is considered a senior after earning eighteen (18) credits BUT cannot elect to use the 18 credit ACCEL Diploma as a means for early graduation from high school in less than (8) semesters.

Students wishing to graduate early must apply during their senior year to be considered for this opportunity. After reviewing his/her plan with the counselor the student must submit a detailed proposal to the Principal that will include signatures from the student’s current teachers indicating the student is on target and will pass the course in time for early graduation. The Principal will evaluate the proposal before presenting the student’s request to theRegional Superintendent by the deadline listed below:

Graduation DatesApplication to PrincipalApplication to District

DecemberOctober 30thNovember 15th

May/JuneMarch 15thApril 1st

After reviewing recommendations from the Principal and Regional Superintendent, the Superintendent’s designee will either grant or deny the student the opportunity to graduate early. If the student is granted the opportunity to graduate early, the approval is contingent on the student fulfilling all of the district’s graduation requirements to earn a standard diploma.Approval is not final until the school receives the district’sapproval.

A completed early-graduation request MUST contain the following documents: (Requests without supporting documentation will not be considered.)

  1. PART A - A completed early graduation request form with signatures from the parent, counselor, student, and principal.
  2. PART B - A graduation plan that details the classes in which the student is currently enrolled and indicates that the student is on track to graduate early. Signatures of current teachers and grades are required.
  3. A copy of the student’s most recent transcript.
  4. A copy of the student’s current schedule.
  5. A letter from the principal to the Regional Superintendent indicating support for the early graduation request.
  6. A 250 word typed letter from the student that explains:
  • Why the student wants to graduate early.
  • The educational benefit the student will gain through early graduation.
  • What the student plans to do with the time that would have been their senior year.

All required documentation and forms should be sent to the Regional Superintendent’s office no later than the dates listed above. Charter schools submit documentation to the Office of Charter Schools.

Copy of approval or denial and written response from district listing reason(s) for denial should be kept in student’s cumulative file.

REQUEST FOR EARLY GRADUATION/EXIT (PART A)

We the undersigned student, parent, principal, and counselor request that the student be allowed to complete graduation requirements and exit high school before the student’s scheduled date of graduation. This plan has been reviewed in a conference with the students’ guidance counselor and it has been determined that the student has met all the necessary early graduation requirements and all forms have been completed by the necessary school representatives.

Name of Student: ______ID# ______

Name of High School: ______

Scheduled date of 9th Grade Graduation Cohort: ______

Requested date of Graduation/Exit from school: ______

Reason for request (to be completed by parent/guardian):

Student Signature: ______Date: ______

Parent Signature: ______Date: ______

Counselor Signature: ______Date: ______

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I have reviewed this student’s graduation plan and current transcripts and as the Principal of ______I hereby certify that he/she meets all the requirements for early graduation.

Principal Signature: ______Date: ______

Regional Superintendent: ______Date: ______

Chief Academic Officer: ______Date: ______

Approved: ______Denied: ______Date: ______

For the purposes of Polk County School Board District Policy 5460, the term "early graduation" means graduation from high school in less than eight (8) semesters and has completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits. A student may choose the option of early graduation ONLY if the student has completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits and otherwise meets the requirements for graduation as outlined in Polk County School Board Policy 5460 and F.S. 1003.4282(3)(a)-(e).PLEASE NOTE:A student is considered a senior after earning eighteen (18) credits BUT cannot elect to use the 18 credit ACCEL Diploma as a means for early graduation from high school in less than (8) semesters.

GRADUATION PLAN (PART B)

Student Name: ______Student Number: ______

Requested Graduation Date: ______Credits Needed to Graduate: ______

Current GPA: ______

Student has earned college ready scores in reading, math and/or writing on one of three recognized college entrance exams: (SAT: 460 in both Reading and Math, and 440 in Writing. ACT: 19 in both Reading and Math, and 18 in Writing. PERT: 106 in Reading, 103 in Writing and 114 in Math)

SAT: Reading ______SAT: Math ______SAT: Writing ______

ACT: Reading ______ACT: Math ______ACT: Writing ______

PERT: Reading ______PERT: Math ______PERT: Writing ______

Courses to be completed to meet graduation requirements:

Course Name/Code / Currently Enrolled (Y/N) / Current Grade / Teacher Signature

Comments:

Student’s Signature: ______Date: ______

For the purposes of Polk County School Board District Policy 5460, the term "early graduation" means graduation from high school in less than eight (8) semesters and has completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits. A student may choose the option of early graduation ONLY if the student has completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits and otherwise meets the requirements for graduation as outlined in Polk County School Board Policy 5460 and F.S. 1003.4282(3)(a)-(e).PLEASE NOTE:A student is considered a senior after earning eighteen (18) credits BUT cannot elect to use the 18 credit ACCEL Diploma as a means for early graduation from high school in less than (8) semesters.