The following number of earned credits designates the grade in which the student will be registered:

Freshman = 0 to 6 Credits

Sophomore = 6.01 Credits to 12 Credits and at least two semesters of attendance

Junior = 12.01 Credits to 18 Credits and at least 4 semesters of attendance

Senior = 18.01 or more Credits and at least 6 semesters of attendance; 24 credits to graduate

Michigan Merit High School Graduation Requirement Overview

Goal:     To ensure that Michigan's high school graduates have the necessary skills to succeed either in postsecondary education or in the workplace.

Components: Awarding credit is based on proficiency in expectations, not seat time and can be earned prior to a student entering high school or by testing-out. Students need eighteen mandatory credits, which are aligned with recommended college- and work-ready curriculum and an additional 6 elective credits for a total of 24 credits.

English Language Arts - Four credits in

Math - Four credits , including Geometry and Algebra I and II. At least one math course must be taken during the student's senior year. A student may complete algebra II over 2 years with 2 credits awarded or over 1.5 years with 1.5 credits awarded

Science - Three credits, with use of labs, including biology and chemistry or physics.

Social Studies - Three credits including U.S. History & Geography, World History & Geography, 0.5 Civics, 0.5 Economics.

Visual, Performing and Applied Arts - One credit

World Language - Two credits

The second world language credit can be substituted with a technical education, art, woods, or band class. Students may receive credit if they have had a similar learning experience in grades K-12.

Physical Education & Health - One credit

Online/Learning Experience - All high school students must also participate in an online course or learning experience.

Career Center - Students attending the Career Center can have one credit waived for each full year successfully completed at the Career Center. There is no provision for those who complete only a portion of a year.

Course credit will be granted based on one of the following three scenarios (Semester grades will be an average of the marking period grades.) 

1. Student passes Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a minimum of 60% and scores a minimum 60% on the course end exam given in the form of the GLAD or an administrator approved standard based equivalent.

2. Student passes one of the two semesters with a minimum of 60% but scores below 60% on the opposite semester, and scores a minimum 70% on the course end exam given in the form of the GLAD or an administrator approved standard based equivalent.  This student will be reviewed by a committee made of the middle school teachers and administration to determine if credit will be granted.  Attendance, behavior, and classroom observations will be included in the decision making process.

3. Student fails both semesters and scores a minimum 80% on the course end exam given in the form of the GLAD or an administrator approved standard based equivalent.  This student will be reviewed by a committee made of the middle school teachers and administration to determine if credit will be granted.   Attendance, behavior, and classroom observations will be included in the decision making process.

Credit Recovery will be offered through Odysseyware during the summer months. Completion of the credit recovery plan will include passing the end of course exam prior to the start of the school year. If credit recovery courses are not completed, the student will be placed in the appropriate grade according to credits earned.

Intervention Systems in place to ensure student success are the Student Assistance Team, the Homework Lab, and weekly check in's with students are at risk of not receiving credit.

A student's progress toward graduation and receiving a diploma is determined by completing required course work, earning the necessary credits.  A student is promoted only when the necessary requirements are met or the student has completed the goals and objectives of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Personal Curriculum (PC). It is the student's responsibility to keep in contact with his/her counselor and teachers to ensure that all requirements are being met.  Information about credit and course requirements is available in the guidance office and a counselor will be pleased to answer any questions.