IKF - GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The graduation requirements of the Cape Elizabeth School Department (CESD) are designed to ensure that students demonstrate proficiency to the content standards and Guiding Principles of the Maine Learning Results prior to earning a diploma.

Students demonstrate proficiency by earning credit for courses and other approved learning experiences whose curricula are aligned to the content standards and Guiding Principles of the Maine Learning Results.

1. DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS

   1. Students must earn 230 credits, as follows:

      1. English Language Arts – 40 credits;
      2. Mathematics – 30 credits;
      3. Science – 30 credits, including at least ten credits of laboratory study;
      4. Social Studies – 30 credits, including American history, government, civics, and personal finance;
      5. Visual and Performing Arts – 10 credits;
      6. Industrial and Computer Technology – 5 credits;
      7. Arts or Technology – 5 credits;
      8. Health – 5 credits;
      9. Physical Education – 10 credits;
      10. Electives – 65 credits.

   2. Students who wish to meet these requirements through learning experiences other than Cape Elizabeth’s course offerings may earn credits following prior written approval by the principal, in consultation with the appropriate department chair and school counselor. These learning experiences may include: 11. Apprenticeships, internships, or fieldwork; 12. Community service; 13. Exchange programs; 14. Independent study; 15. Alternative education; 16. Adult education.

2. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE AWARDING OF A CAPE ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA 3. Students with Disabilities
   Students with disabilities, as defined in 20-A MRSA § 7001(1-B), who satisfy the CESD graduation requirements in the manner specified by their IEP will be awarded a diploma.

   4. Transfer Students
      For students who transfer to Cape Elizabeth High School from an educational program that is not aligned with the content standards and Guiding Principles of the Maine Learning Results, the principal shall determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience toward meeting CESD’s graduation requirements.

   5. Home-schooled Students
      For home-schooled students wishing to receive a diploma from Cape Elizabeth High School, the principal shall determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience toward meeting CESD’s graduation requirements. Home-schooled students must be enrolled at Cape Elizabeth High School for their entire senior year in order to receive a diploma.

   6. Delayed Awarding of Diplomas
      Students who leave Cape Elizabeth High School to attend an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education may, upon satisfactory completion of their freshman year, be awarded a diploma even if they have not met the graduation requirements specified for their class herein.

   7. Early Awarding of Diplomas
      Students who have met CESD’s graduation requirements in fewer than four years of high school may be awarded a diploma with the approval of the principal.

   8. Extended Study
      Students are eligible for extended years of study to complete the requirements of a diploma if they have not reached the age of 20 at the start of the school year. Students eligible for extended years of study may remain at Cape Elizabeth High School or be referred to other programs and resources. Extended study for English learners or students with disabilities shall be specified in their Individual Language Acquisition Plan (ILAP) or IEP, respectively.

   9. Participation in Graduation Ceremonies
      Students must have met all graduation requirements to participate in graduation ceremonies.

   10. Honors, Awards, and Scholarships at Graduation
       In order to be eligible for valedictorian status at graduation, a student must have attended Cape Elizabeth High School for at least three semesters prior to graduation. If a student in attendance at Cape Elizabeth High School for less than three semesters prior to graduation qualifies for the “top ten percent,” the number of students qualifying for that status will be expanded by one for each student meeting this description. Students in attendance for less than three semesters are otherwise eligible, without condition, for all honors, awards, and scholarships.

Legal Reference:

• 20-A MRSA § 4722
• Ch. 127 § 7 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rules)

Cross Reference:

• IKE – Promotion, Retention, and Acceleration of Students
• IKFA – Early Graduation
• IKFC – Awarding of High School Course Credit Prior to Grade 9

Adopted:

• November 8, 1994

Revised:

• November 12, 1996
• May 13, 2003
• November 14, 2006
• June 10, 2008
• December 11, 2012
• March 10, 2015
• September 12, 2017
• May 12, 2020

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