Whatever grade you’re in, keeping track of your graduation requirements is vital. There are five in total: GPA, community service, state exams, completing a course in Florida Virtual School (FLVS), and passing classes to earn enough credits. Staying organized and fulfilling them early will lead to a stress-free future.

GPA and Community Service

The most straightforward requirements are for GPA and community service. For one, students must have an unweighted GPA of 2.0 by the end of their senior year to graduate. Second, they must have turned in proof of completing at least 1 community service hour.

Students often find community service to be the easiest requirement to meet. “I only needed one hour of it,” said senior Larsen Barrera. “I volunteered one summer at the main office here, and from just that, I got over a hundred hours. If you find something simple enough or that you like doing, it’ll be done in no time.”

Senior Catherine Flores thinks similarly. She said, “I just did a service with Interact and donated to a school book drive and that was more than enough to complete it.”

On the other hand, maintaining a passing GPA requires constant work. Sophomore George Valdez said, “I’m working on raising my GPA to 2.0 by senior year. I have around a 1.0 now, and raising it even a little takes a lot of work.”

Testing

Next comes passing the 10^th grade FSA ELA (English Language Arts) and the Algebra 1 EOC. As two major exams in core subjects, they pose challenges. “Passing those were the most difficult requirements,” Catherine Flores said. “I can see how students can have trouble with them – some don’t even pass them until their junior or senior year.”

If a student fails one of these, they must retake it during the school year. “Algebra EOC retakes take place in September, December, and the end of March,” said assistant principal Ms. Leal. “The reading FSA retakes are in September and March, but when you retake the reading FSA, you also have to retake the FSA writing in February. If both are not done, the student receives no score.”

Alternatively, a student can meet these test requirements by substituting them with another test. According to 12^th grade counselor Mr. Cuevas, a failed FSA can be overwritten by an SAT reading score of 430 or an ACT reading score of 19, while a failed Algebra 1 EOC can be covered by a 97 on the PERT’s math section.

Passing Classes

Passing your classes and getting all your necessary credits are imperative. Mr. Cuevas said, a total of 24 class credits are required throughout high school: 16 core class credits and 8 elective credits. Among the core credits must be 4 in English, 4 in mathematics, 3 in science, 3 in social studies, 1 in fine arts, and 1 in physical education. On top of that, a virtual school course must be completed.

Night school is a necessity for those who fail a class. “Students have to go to night school if they fail a half or full-credit class,” said Ms. Leal. “You should make those classes up as you go, meaning if you fail a class in your sophomore year, register to make it up during your junior year. Night school classes go until the summer.”

Night school follows a rigorous schedule. “It is based on attendance,” she said. “You cannot miss a class of it or you will be kicked out, so you must be very careful. The benefit of it all is that you get to make up a full class in just a few months.”

To register for night school, students must see their counselors, get a night school letter, get a signature from their parent and counselor, then turn it in to room 1101 with a $5 fee.

George Valdez is currently enrolled in night school to pass physical science. “It’s easy,” he said, “but I need to stay on track if I want to be sure to graduate.”

Having all the right classes completed by the end of senior year takes focus. Senior Larsen Barrera said, “Each subject asks for a certain amount of points in it and specific classes to be taken. Over the years, I needed to plan my schedule ahead to make sure I never missed anything.”

Final Advice

If a student still fails to meet any of these graduation requirements, he or she will be stopped from graduating. Ms. Leal also has advice for students who are missing classes or exams. “Take care of FLVS and any classes you fail by the end of your junior year,” she said. “Also make sure you pass the Algebra EOC and FSA ELA or substitute them by the summer before your senior year. If not, by the second week of school I start making calls to you and your parents to monitor you and make sure you’re on track.”

Senior counselor Mr. Cuevas has some final tips for seniors: “Learn how to take care of your affairs,” he said. “In college, no one will be there to tell you what you’re missing, and if you’re not on top of it all, you will be stuck like a deer in the headlights. You have to keep track of your GPA, what classes you need to retake, and what all your requirements are before it’s too late.”