Policy 600.01 – Graduation Requirements

To graduate from a Canyons School District high school, a student must:

1. Earn credits designated by the Utah State Board of Education and the Canyons District Board of Education.
2. Complete all graduation requirements prior to the beginning of the next school year.
   1. Meeting graduation requirements entitles a student to receive a diploma but does not necessarily entitle a student to participate in commencement.
   2. Commencement exercises are under the direction of and administered by the local high school.

   Canyons School District Differentiated Diplomas:

   The Canyons School District Differentiated Diplomas encourage student to take rigorous coursework and meet national benchmarks that reflect college- and career-readiness.

   1. The Canyons Standard Diploma: A Canyons Standard Diploma requires a student complete all requirements set forth by the Utah State Education and Canyons School District.
   2. The Canyons Advanced Diploma: The Canyons Advanced Diploma requires students to complete the credits of the Canyons Standard Diploma, prescribed coursework and a minimum G.P.A. requirement.
   3. The Canyons Honors Diploma: The Canyons Honors Diploma requires students to complete the requirements of the Canyons Advanced Diploma, and in addition attain College Readiness Benchmarks Scores on the ACT college-entrance exam and a minimum G.P.A. requirement.
   4. The Canyons Basic Diploma: This diploma is available for extenuating circumstances upon administrative approval. Students earning this diploma must complete all required core curriculum credit requirements.
   5. The Canyons Alternate Diploma: This diploma is available for students with significant cognitive disabilities who are still accessing core standards through the essential elements. Students earning this diploma must complete all required core curriculum credit requirements or those substitutions, exemptions, and modifications currently allowable under the Utah State Special Education credit guidelines (See, Exhibit-2).
   6. Certificate of Completion: Means a certificate that may be awarded to a special education student who: (1) has completed the student’s senior year; (2) is exiting or aging out of the school system; and (3) has not met all state or District requirements for a diploma (e.g., Canyons Alternative Diploma; Canyons Regular High School Diploma) as determined by the IEP team.
      1. Canyons District may not withhold a regular high school diploma from a student who has met State graduation requirements.
      2. The term “regular high school diploma’ does not include an alternative degree that is not fully aligned with the State’s academic standards, such as a certificate or a GED.

      Awarding Credit:

      1. Credit is awarded on the basis of a student’s participation, mastery of subject matter, and/or attainment of skills. Credit is granted for courses taken in grades 9-12, beginning in the summer prior to ninth grade.
      2. Canyons School District secondary schools will accept credit and grades awarded to a student by any public or private educational source that is accredited or recognized by the Utah State Office of Education, the Northwest Accreditation Commission or that is associated as a member of the International Council of School Accreditation Commissions. (Utah Admin. Code R277-705-3).