Graduation Requirements
DIPLOMA WITH ACADEMIC DISTINCTION :: SENIOR ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION VALEDICTORIAN
Forty four credits, consisitng of required and elective subjects, are needed to obtain a high school diploma from Clairemont High School. In addition, students will need to complete a Senior Exhibition and earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to receive their high school diploma. Beginning with the Class of 2006, students must also pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to earn a diploma.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: 8 Semester Credits
Grade 9 English:
 2 credits
Grade 10 English:
 2 credits
Grades 11 & 12 English:
 4 credits, including 1 (one) credit in a course that emphasizes American Literature and 3 credits from a prescribed list of English courses.
English credit will not be granted for drama, public speaking, or journalism. (Drama and public speaking qualify for visual and performing arts credit and journalism qualifies for practical arts credit.)
English as a Second Language (ESL) may be used to fulfill the 8 semester English requirement.
WORLD LANGUAGE, FINE ARS AND PRACTICAL ARTS: 3 Semester Credits
MATHEMATICS: 6 Semester credits
The math requirement includes Algebra, Geometry and a third course.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: 4 Semester Credits (grades 9-12)
Students must be enrolled in physical education in grade 9 and 10 (unless exempted). Physical education credit may be granted for JROTC or NJROTC in grades 9-12.

SCIENCE: 6 Semester Credits
The science requirements, starting with the graduating class of 2006, students now need three years of lab science ( physics, chemistry and biology) in order to graduate from SDUSD
SOCIAL STUDIES: 6 Semester Credits
Grades 9 or 10:
 2 credits in World History, Geography & Economics, or 2 credits in an advanced alternative.
Grade 11:
 2 credits in U.S. History or advanced alternative.
Grade 12:
 1 credit in Government and 1 credit in Economics, or 2 credits in an advanced alternative.
COMPUTER LITERACY COMPETENCY

Students can fulfill this requirement in one of three ways:
- completion of a computer education course, or
- completion of an approved course that incorporates computer education and computer applications, or
- test-out
* * * * * * * * * * *
The remainder of the 44 required credits may be earned by completing elective cources. All students must meet proficiencies for World History, Geography and Economics, U.S. History, Government and Economics, English, Mathematics and Science courses. The Counseling Center on campus has detailed information.
 
HIGH SCHOOL EXIT EXAM (CAHSEE)

The first group of students required to pass both parts of the CAHSEE will be the Class of 2006.
Starting with the graduating class of 2006, students must pass the California High School Exit Exam with a score of 350 or better in the Math and English Language Arts.

 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
MINIMUM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
You must meet the subject requiremtns, and examination requirements to be eligible for admission to either university system as a freshman
 
SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS:

To satisfy this requirement, you must complete the high school courses listed below with the appropriate grade point averege (GPA) outlined by the scholarship requirements of UC &/or CSU. This sequence is also known as the "a-g" requirements.

You must take at least 7 of the 15 units that make up the subject requirements in your last two years of high school. A unit is equal to an academic year or two semesters of study.

a. History/Social Science 2 years required  
b. English 4 years required  
c. Mathematics 3 years required (4 years recommended)
d. Labratory Science 2 years required (3 years recommended)
e. Language Other than English 2 years required (3 years recommended)
f. Visual and Performing Arts 1 year required  
g. College-Preparatory Elective 1 year required  

 
SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

To be eligible for admission to the University of California as a freshman, you must have a GPA of at least 2.8 in the "a-g" subjects and test scores to meet the Eligibility Index.
Example:
2.80-2.84 GPA .... you need .... 2860 Test Score Total
3.45-3.49 GPA .... you need .... 1858 Test Score Total
Test Score Total = (SAT Reasoning Test-Reading, Math, Writing) + (Subject Test 1) + (Subject test 2)

 
DIPLOMA WITH ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
The Board of Education of the San Diego City Schools awards high school diplomas inscribed "With Academic Distinction" to students whose achievements have been outstanding. Requirements for this diploma should be studied and careful planning to meet them should begin while the student is in junior high school.
Only those students who have attended a district high school for their entire senior year are eligible for this diploma. Students who have attended high schools in other school districts for all or part of grades 10 and 11 may qualify for this recognition if their academic performance in the San Diego City Schools merits consideration. The high school principal is responsible for evaluating courses taken in out-of-district schools.
Providing they have qualified in all respects, midyear graduates recommended by the principal may be granted this diploma.
Two options are open to students who wish to graduate "With Academic Distinction."
Option 1
The student must receive a weighted grade point average of 3.5 (B+) or higher for all courses taken in grades 10, 11, and the first semester of grade 12. (Students who raise their grade point average to 3.5 by the end of the 12 week grading period of the second semester of their senior year ma also receive the diploma.)
Option 2
The student must meet the following three requirements:
A.
 Grades 9-12: Complete a minimum of two years credit in both science and foreign language. These requirements may be met prior to grade 9 if the courses are judged to be equivalent to those offered in grades 9-12.
B.
 Grades 10-12: Complete 14 semester credits with grades of A or B from among the REQUIRED CURRICULUM below. These courses must be taken in grades 10, 11 and 12.
C.
 Grade 12: Four of the required 14 semester credits must be earned in the senior year.
Option 2 REQUIRED CURRICULUM (Grades 10-12)
COMPUTER EDUCATION
  AP Computer Science 1-2 IB Computer Science 1-2
FINE ARTS
  Exploration in Art 1,2  
  AP Music Theory AP Art History 1,2
  AP Art Studio 1,2 AP Harmony 1-2
  AP Music Appreciation 1-2  
ENGLISH
  Advanced English 3,4  
  Advanced American Literature 1,2  
  Literature  
    IB of the Americas 1,2  
    IB English 1,2  
  English Literature 1,2  
    AP English1,2  
WORLD LANGUAGE
  World Languages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12
  AP Spanish Language 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
  AP Spanish Literature 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
  AP French Language 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
  AP French Literature 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
MATHEMATICS
  Honors Geometry 1-2
  Honors Pre-Calculus 1-2
  Mathematics 150-151 (Honors Calculus)
  Intermediate Algebra 1-2
  Topics in Discrete Mathematics 1-2
  Trigonometry & Advanced Algebra 1-2
SCIENCE
  Advanced Biology 1,2 Biology 3,4
  Chemistry 1-2 Advanced Chemistry 1-2
  Physics 1,2 Chemistry 3-4
  Physiology 1,2 AP Biology 1,2
  AP Chemistry AP Physics (Level B) 1,2
SOCIAL STUDIES
  Advanced World History 1,2
  Advanced U.S. History 1,2
  American Government in World Affairs 1,2
  AP European History/American Government 1,2
  AP Psychology 1,2
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN SENIOR ACTIVITIES
& GRADUATION CEREMONY
All seniors must complete ALL graduation requirements by the end of the spring semester in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. This includes the total of 44 required credits and all subject requirements. Those needing to complete any requirements in summer school may obtain their diploma if the deficiencies are made up by September, but they will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

A record of responsible citizenship is required for graduation. All seniors are expected to maintain an acceptable standard in both citizenship and attendance. During the spring semester of each year, the Graduation Committee will review all graduating seniors' citizenship and attendance standings. Any student found unacceptable, as defined below may be denied the privilege of attending the senior activities, including participation in the graduation ceremony. "Unacceptable" is interpreted to mean: Any student having a GPA below 2.0 in citizenship will be reviewed by the school's Graduation Committee which will recommend to the Principal whether the student should be denied all or part of the senior activities including participation in graduation ceremonies. Students who have had extensive citizenship or truancy problems during their senior high school years will also be reviewed for appropriate action.
SELECTION OF THE CLASS VALEDICTORIAN
Beginning with the class of 2003, the valedictorian will be the student with the highest grade point average in the class. The salutatorian will be the second ranked student.