Orange High School Graduation Requirements for Class of 2023:  22 CREDITS NEEDED TO GRADUATE

1. COURSE WORK

4 credits English

4 credits Math (must include Algebra II or equivalent class)

4 credits of Social Studies (must include World History, US History, Government, + either Global Citizenship, AP  Economics, AP Psychology, AP European History)

3 credits of Science (must include 1 Life Science and 1 Physical Science)

1 credit of Fine Art (see Curriculum Guide for Fine Art class options)

1/2 credit of Health

1/2 credit of PE or must play 2 seasons of a sport or 2 sports in high school career 

**class of 2026 will also need 1/2 credit of Financial Literacy

and Completion of Senior Project

2. Show Competency:

      Earn a passing score on Ohio’s State Algebra I and ELA 2 tests – Students who do not pass the tests, will be offered additional support 

      and must retake the test at least once. If you do not earn passing scores on the Algebra I and ELA 2 tests, there are 3 alternate ways to 

      show competency.     Click here

Ohio high school students now can earn recognition by showing they are prepared to contribute to the workplace and their communities. The OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal is a formal designation that students can earn on their high school diplomas and transcripts indicating they have the personal strengths, strong work ethic, and professional experience that businesses need.

To earn the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal, motivated high school students must demonstrate certain professional skills required for success in the workplace. Students work with at least three experienced and trusted mentors who validate the demonstration of these skills in school, work, or the community.

The OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal is available for the graduating classes of 2018 and beyond and will be printed directly on Ohio diplomas and transcripts. 

Competency can be achieved by meeting the requirement to enlist in the military, as demonstrated by a contract with the military upon graduation.

A student can:

• Earn a score of 700 or higher on the biology end-of-course exam;
   
• Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams; or
   
• Earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in an appropriate class taken through the College Credit Plus program

A Seal of Biliteracy recognizes graduating seniors who can demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one other language. A school or district gives this award by following state-established guidelines.

READ MORE ON THE ODE WEBSITE

A student can:

• Earn a score of 700 or higher on both the American history  and American government end-of-course exams;
   
• Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams; or
   
• Earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in appropriate classes taken through the College Credit Plus program. 

Earning an industry-recognized credential and a WorkKeys score of 13 (14 for students in the class of 2020 and beyond) is one of three pathways to earn a high school diploma. When students earn industry-recognized credentials, schools and districts get credit on Ohio Report Cards for their success in preparing students for careers. 

The process of earning an industry-recognized credential (and career-technical education in general) allows students to experience education through work, about work and for work. Students learn more deeply by practicing and applying their knowledge through work and employment experiences – learning through work. They learn about workplace expectations in terms of professional or “soft” skills needed for employment, as well as learning about career pathways and what the labor market for particular occupations looks like – learning about work. And, they learn the job-specific skills they will need to perform day-to-day tasks – learning for work.

READ MORE ON THE ODE WEBSITE

One of the pathways that students may use to meet the test requirement for graduation is a college and career readiness test. The two tests that meet this pathway are the ACT and SAT. Colleges and universities use the ACT and SAT to determine student readiness for the rigors of higher education. These institutions generally expect that students who earn "remediation-free" scores will be able to succeed in their college courses.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education works with Ohio universities to set the remediation-free scores for the ACT and SAT. Periodically, for a variety of reasons, these scores may be adjusted. State law requires the Ohio Department of Education to use the ACT and SAT remediation-free scores to meet the graduation requirements of the college and career readiness test pathway.

The Ohio Department of Education will communicate the remediation-free scores needed to meet the graduation requirement in spring of the students’ junior (grade 11) year before they take the state-sponsored test. For all high school juniors, the remediation-free scores set by Feb. 1 of their junior year will be used to meet their graduation requirement. Any changes after Feb. 1 each year will affect only future groups of students.

Students must earn “remediation-free” scores in each of the three subscore areas, two in English language arts and one in mathematics.

READ MORE ON THE ODE WEBSITE

A student can:

• • Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on an appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam; or
     
  • Earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in an appropriate class taken through the College Credit Plus program; or
     
  • Complete a course offered through the district or school that meets guidelines developed by the Department. (A district or school is not required to offer a course that meets those guidelines.)

High school students can gain state recognition for exceeding Ohio’s graduation requirements through an honors diploma. Students challenge themselves by taking and succeeding at high-level coursework and in real-world experiences.

Ohio students have the opportunity to choose to pursue one of six honors diplomas:

1. Academic Honors Diploma
2. International Baccalaureate Honors Diploma
3. Career Tech Honors Diploma
4. STEM Honors Diploma
5. Arts Honors Diploma*
6. Social Science and Civic Engagement Honors Diploma

Read more on the ODE website

In order to earn the Fine and Performing Arts Seal at Orange High School under the Ohio graduation requirements for students in the graduating classes of 2023 and beyond, each student will need to complete 3 credits in the areas of Fine and Performing Arts with a grade of C- or higher.  All courses considered as Fine and Performing Arts are listed in the Orange High School Curriculum Guide. If you are unsure if the course you are taking meets this criterion, please seek guidance from a school counselor.

In order to earn the Community Service Seal at Orange High School under the Ohio graduation requirements for students in the graduating classes of 2023 and beyond, each student will need to complete a total of 40 hours of community service during their four years of high school.  It is recommended that students complete 10 hours of community service each year. Students who transfer to Orange High School will only be held accountable for 10 hours per year of enrollment. Students will use the Community Service Form to document volunteerism, which needs to be signed by the volunteer coordinator and turned in to Guidance.  In the Senior year, earned hours must be documented by the Seniors’ last day before Senior Project begins.

In order to earn the Student Engagement Seal at Orange High School under the Ohio graduation requirements for students in the graduating classes of 2023 and beyond, each student will need to complete 4 activities during their high school career in any non-academic program(s).  Students who transfer to Orange High School will only be held accountable to complete one activity per year of enrollment. Students will use the Student Engagement Form to document active participation, which needs to be signed by the advisor and turned in to Guidance.  In the Senior year, activities must be documented by the Seniors’ last day before Senior Project begins.