607.05 R2 - Early Graduation

Students may graduate prior to the completion of four years if the course work required for graduation under Board Policy has been fulfilled, and the conditions of this policy are met. The timelines under both “A” & “B” are expected to be followed, however, the Board may approve exceptions to the timelines under hardship conditions.

The South Tama County Schools believe that students profit from attending all four years of the High School Program, and will benefit socially and academically from the experiences.  However, the District recognizes the need, on occasion, to provide students with the opportunity to graduate early.  Students may apply to the High School Principal for early graduation provided that:

A.        Students Planning to Graduate During the Fourth Year with 13 or More Quarters Attendance.

  1. The student has a preliminary discussion with a high school counselor.
  1. The student has met or exceeded all district requirements for graduation with the knowledge that only Physical Education and Health units are eligible to be waived by the Board of Directors.
  1. The student, and the student’s parent or guardian, if under age 18, have made a formal, written request to the principal for early graduation on or before the beginning  of the quarter term which is desired to be their last.
  1. The student understands that early graduates forfeit all eligibility rights for activities at the time of early graduation, except for the Prom and graduation exercises.  Activity eligibility forfeited are all extra-curricular and co-curricular activities including athletics, music, drama, clubs, etc.
  1. The student understands that final class rank shall be based upon total class credit points to be accumulated and tabulated at the end of the school year rather than at the time of early graduation.
  1. Once a student has been accepted for early graduation, they become ineligible for new post-secondary enrollment tuition payments by the district.
  1. Students (and parents where applicable) requesting early graduation should be made aware that some post-secondary institutions entrance requirements may call for four full years of certain subject area high school courses.  Also some post-secondary institutions may enroll students but require college level “remedial” courses (with tuition) that might have been available at no cost by remaining in high school. Access to this regulation will be sufficient to create this awareness.
  1. The student understands that final approval for early graduation must be obtained from the Board of Directors and that application for early graduation will be granted or denied on a case by case basis.
  1. The recommendation from the High School Principal or High School Guidance Counselor will be presented to the Board of Directors along with the student (and, if applicable, parent) statement prior to the Board’s decision on an early graduation request.
  1. Approval for early graduation does not necessarily obligate the student to graduate early.  The administration may permit the student to continue to attend beyond the period approved for early graduation.

B.        Students Planning to Graduate Prior to the 4th Year of Attendance

Students who have not attended at least three full years of high school (12 quarters) will not usually be considered for early graduation.  Those wishing to graduate at the end of their third year (12 quarters) are subject to the following:

  1. The student has a preliminary discussion with a high school counselor to develop an educational plan leading to graduation after six semesters of attendance.  The plan must:
    a. 
    Be approved by a High School Counselor, the High School Principal, and the Student’s Parents.
    b. 
    Address course selection, post-secondary enrollment courses possible while in High School, activity participation, and post graduation intentions.
    c. 
    Be submitted for Board of Education approval prior to the end of the 1st quarter of the student’s 3rd year (9th quarter).
     
  2. The student’s plan will not be approved by the Board of Education unless it meets or exceeds all district requirements for graduation with the knowledge that only Physical Education units (not health) are eligible to be waived by the Board of Directors.
     
  3. The student, and the student’s parent or guardian, if under age 18, must make a formal, written request to the principal for early graduation at least three quarters prior to the quarter in which he/she intends to graduate.  The request should be accompanied by the plan previously approved by the Board.
     
  4. The student understands that early graduates forfeit all eligibility rights for activities at the time of early graduation, except for the normal summer sport season during the summer following graduation.
     
  5. The student cannot expect the school to waive requirements or to have staff diverted from their usual duties in order to create special opportunities for the student to accumulate credit toward early graduation.  Changes in credit requirements, scheduling, or High School Program changes may cause an early graduation plan to become void.
     
  6. Only transfer credit from state approved high schools (not correspondence courses, Learning Lab courses, or certified private instruction courses) will be counted as credit toward early graduation.
     
  7. Once a student has been accepted for early graduation, they become ineligible for new post-secondary enrollment tuition payments by the district.
     
  8. Students (and parents, where applicable) requesting early graduation should be made aware that some post-secondary institutions entrance requirements may call for four full years of certain subject area high school courses.  Also some post-secondary institutions may enroll students but require college level “remedial” courses (with tuition) that might have been available at no cost by remaining in high school.  Access to this regulation will be sufficient to create this awareness.
     
  9. The student understands that final approval for early graduation must be obtained from the Board of Directors and that application for early graduation will be granted or denied on a case by case basis.
     
  10. The recommendation from the High School Principal and High School Guidance Counselor will be presented to the Board of Directors along with the student (and, if applicable, parent) statement prior to the Board’s decision on an early graduation request.
     
  11. Approval for early graduation does not necessarily obligate the student to graduate early.  The administration may permit the student to continue to attend beyond the period approved for early graduation. 

 

 

(September 21, 1992; February 21, 1994; March 20, 1995; November 17, 1997; July 9, 2012; January 19, 2015; March 9, 2015; October 21, 2019)