Requirements for Maryland High School Diploma

To be awarded a diploma, a student shall be enrolled in Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and have earned a minimum of 23 credits that include the following:

The Maryland High School Assessment (MHSAs)
Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Curriculum,
Assessment, & Accountability

Student Service Learning (SSL) service is a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) graduation requirement. This program requires all students to prepare, implement, and reflect upon a project that addresses a need or concern in their schools or community. All projects must meet the MSDE criteria for a quality service-learning experience. In Charles County, components of this program are embedded in grades 6, 7, 8, and 10. Students who have not completed service learning by the end of their 10th grade year must contact the service-learning coordinator at their school for information on how to complete the graduation requirement.

The Maryland State Board of Education awards diplomas to all students who have met the requirements for graduation. Students in Charles County completing the CCPS Scholars Course of Study, the Maryland Scholars Course of Study, and/or meeting Certificate of Merit requirements receive additional recognition at graduation. View page 8 for options.

The Maryland State Board of Education awards the Maryland High School Certificate to special education students whose Individualized Educational Program (IEP) was developed based on functional living and independent/career skills.

The student shall satisfactory complete four years of approved study beyond 8^th grade unless on an approved option.

Algebra I, Geometry, Technology Education (Exploring Computer Science or Intro to Engineering Design), and World Language courses completed in middle school can be used to meet high school graduation requirements and are awarded high school credit. Students who earned a High School credit in Middle School who want an opportunity to improve their grade, may re-take course in grade 9 only. Both grades will appear on the transcript, but high school grade will replace one taken in middle school when factored into the GPA. Courses not successfully completed must be re-taken in high school. There will be no summer school option.

As outlined in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, students need to be classified as College and Career Ready (CCR) by the end of 10th grade. Currently students are identified as CCR by one of two ways:

Option 1: Earn a High School Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher AND earn grade of A, B, or C in Algebra I or score proficient or above on the Algebra I MCAP

Option 2: Score proficient or above on the ELA 10 AND Algebra I MCAP Assessments

After a student is CCR, they must enter a Post-CCR pathway. Charles County Public Schools offers three different options. A student can choose to enter an Early College or Dual Enrollment program, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, or the Advanced Placement (AP) pathway.

For a full description and course layout, please visit: https://www.ccboe.com/academics/post-college-and-career-readiness-pathways

Early College and Dual Enrollment:
Students can apply to the Early College program in 10th or 11th grade. CCPS offers one- and two-year programs, resulting in varying certificates and degrees. Students can complete Dual Enrollment during their junior or senior year. Dual Enrollment allows college courses to count toward the high school graduation credits and the college transcript. For more information, please visit: Early College Program (csmd.edu).

Career and Technical Education (CTE):
Starting as early as 9th grade, students can choose to enter a CTE pathway. CCPS offers 33 different CTE pathways. Some pathways require an application in either 8th or 10th grade, and other pathways can be entered through the regular course selection process. All CTE pathways offer the opportunity for students to earn industry certifications and/or college credits. For more information, visit www.ccboe.com/cte.

Advanced Placement (AP) Pathway:
Students can choose to take a succession of AP courses in specific areas of study. If they attain the necessary score on the exam for 5 courses in the identified categories, they earn the certification of completion.

Taking college-level courses while in high school (dual enrollment or early college) will not affect a student’s NCAA eligibility clock. The NCAA eligibility clock starts only when a student enrolls full-time in a college after high school graduation.

For more information about the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, College and Career Readiness, and Post-CCR pathways, please visit: Blueprint – Maryland State Department of Education (marylandpublicschools.org).