Graduation Requirements & Grade Reporting

Graduation from high school in the Weld County School District 6 (WCSD6) is achieved through the earning of credits as specified in this policy. Credits for all high school courses and for graduation requirements will be awarded on a "unit of credit" basis.  One "unit of credit" is equal to a year of instruction within a course.  Partial units of credit may be allowed for students enrolling at times other than the beginning of a semester according to the time spent in the course and/or the content mastered. All partial credit must be approved by the principal.

Minimum requirements for graduation from high school in the WCSD6 are twenty-two (22) units of credit in grades 9-12, including completion of specific subject area requirements and the student  must also have received the recommendation of the high school principal for graduation.  High school courses taken and given credit in middle school may be counted toward high school graduation requirements (effective with class of 2018).

Specific course requirements will be defined in a student's plan of study and will include, at a minimum, the following:

Graduation Requirements will be provided in Grizzly Advisory.

CDE Graduation Guidelines

Early graduation is allowed provided all requirements for graduation have been met. Early graduation before the end of the seventh semester must be reviewed and approved by the principal and by the Superintendent or designee. Students who complete their work at midyear and are eligible to graduate shall receive their diploma at the end of the school year and may return to take part in the graduation exercises at that time. Juniors seeking early graduation (for May) must submit the approval form by February 24th.  Seniors must submit the approval form by October 28th for a December graduation.

Students at Northridge High School will participate in the state mandated testing as designated by the State of Colorado.  

• 9th grade - PSAT 8/9
• 10th grade - PSAT 10
• 11th grade - SAT and CMAS Science or Social Studies assessment

Additional assessments may be provided at each grade level to assist students in meeting graduation requirements

Transfer students will be held responsible for District requirements the same as WCSD6 students. Coursework completed outside the District will be evaluated and approved for credit and for fulfillment of graduation requirements by the principal or designee. In addition, WCSD6 requires enrollment during the two semesters immediately prior to graduation and successful completion of at least six credits in WCSD6 unless the principal makes an exemption.

To be eligible for a high school diploma, identified students with disabilities must meet objectives, appropriate for them, as determined by the Staffing/Individual Education Program (IEP) Committee. The IEP goals and objectives will reflect modifications of the regular curriculum.

English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes are an alternative English program for students who have limited English proficiency according to District criteria. Language Arts graduation requirements may be fulfilled through ELA courses as deemed appropriate.

Foreign students sponsored by an approved foreign exchange program (J-1) will not receive a diploma from a WCSD6 high school and may participate in graduation ceremonies. 

At Northridge High School, ninth and tenth grade students must be scheduled in courses every period of the day. Students in 11th and 12th grades may have unscheduled periods if adequate credits have been earned and the student is on track to graduate. Extenuating circumstances will permit exemptions to these course load requirements and limitations as determined by the building principal or designated administrator.

Ninth grade students must be scheduled in courses every period of the day. Students in grades 10 through 12 may have one period per day unscheduled. In grades 9 through 12, students may not exceed full time status. Extenuating circumstances will permit exemptions to these course load requirements and limitations as determined by the building principal or designated administrator.

Students will be eligible to receive an academic letter at the end of their 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years.  First time recipients will receive an academic letter, while successive recipients will receive a bar.  Students will be awarded academic letters at Academic Awards Night in May.  The requirements for an academic letter are:

1. A student must earn a 3.75 grade point average for both semesters within the same calendar year (spring and fall).
2. A student must be enrolled as a full-time student and be enrolled in a minimum of three core area classes (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science or World Language).
   1. Full time students equates to 8 classes for 10th graders and at least 6 classes for 11th and 12th graders
3. All Advanced Placement and concurrent classes will be considered core area courses.
4. Credit toward an academic letter must be earned in the qualifying semesters

Activities Lettering

See your advisor and/or coach for requirements.