Requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma

1. To graduate with an Advanced Diploma, students must earn 26 standard units of credit described in the table below, and of the standard units of credit earned, students will earn the following number of verified units of credit:
   • Students entering 9th grade for the first time before 2018-2019: English-two; math-two; science-two; history/social science-two; and one additional verified unit of credit of the student’s own choosing
   • Students entering the 9th grade for the first time 2018-2019 or later: English-two; math-one; science-one; history/social science-one.
2. Students who complete the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of 3.00 or better at the end of their senior year and successfully complete college-level coursework that will earn the student at least nine transferable credits in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual enrollment courses will receive the Governor's Seal on the diploma.
3. Beginning with students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2013--2014, a student must successfully complete one virtual course, which may be non-credit bearing.
4. Students entering 9th grade for the first time in 2018-2019 or late must Complete an Advanced Placement, honors, or International Baccalaureate course or earn a career and technical education credential that has been approved by the Board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to earn credit. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness skills assessment.

Credits Required for Graduation for an Advanced Diploma

_{¹Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least three different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. The board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.} 

_{²Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The board shall approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.} 

_{³Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and two courses in either world history or geography or both. The board shall approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.} 

_{⁴For the 2010-2011 academic year only: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include three years of one language or two years of two languages.} 

_{⁵A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career or technical education, economics or other areas as prescribed by the board in 8 VAC20-131-110.}

Additional Requirements for Graduation

• AP, Honors, IB, Dual Enrollment, Work-Based Learning, or CTE Credential - Students shall (i) complete an Advanced Placement, honors, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment course; or (ii) complete a high-quality work-based learning experience, as established by Board guidance on work-based learning; or (iii) earn a career and technical education credential approved by the board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to satisfy the advanced studies diploma requirements. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness assessment.
• Virtual Course - Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a non-credit-bearing course or a required or elective credit-bearing course that is offered online.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED Training - Students shall be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED), including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Students with an IEP or 504 Plan that documents that they cannot successfully complete this training shall be granted a waiver from this graduation requirement, as provided in 8VAC20-131-420 (B).
• Demonstration of the 5 C’s – In accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, students shall acquire and demonstrate foundational skills in Virginia’s 5 C’s : critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship.

Requirements for Diploma Seals from the Board of Education 

1. Requirements for the Governor's Seal
   The Governor's Seal shall be awarded to students who complete the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma with an average of "B" or better and successfully complete college-level coursework that will earn the student at least nine transferable college credits in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, or dual enrollment courses.
2. Requirements for a Board of Education's Seal
   Students who complete the requirements for a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of "A" shall receive a Board of Education Seal on the diploma.
3. Requirements for Board of Education's Career & Technology Education Seal
   The Board of Education's Career and Technical Education Seal will be awarded who earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and complete a prescribed sequence of courses in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that they choose and maintain a "B" or better average in those courses
   1. or pass an examination or an occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that confers certification or occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, trade or professional association
   2. or acquire a professional license in that career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Board of Education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements.
4. Requirements for Board of Education's Diploma Seal for Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
   The Board of Education's STEM Seal will be awarded to students who earn either a Standard Diploma or an Advance Studies Diploma and satisfy all Math and Science requirements for the Advanced Studies diploma with a “B” average of better in all coursework, and
   1. successfully complete a 50 hour or more work-based learning opportunity in a STEM area, and
   2. and satisfy all requirements for a Career and Technical Education concentration. A concentration is a coherent sequence of two or more state-approved courses as identified in the course listing within the CTE Administrative Planning Guide. A complete listing can be found at the following website:
      http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/career_technical/path_industry_certification/index.shtml
   3. and pass one of the following:
      • a Board of Education CTE STEM-H credential examination, or
      • an examination approved by the Board that confers a college-level credit in a STEM field.
5. Requirements for Board of Education's Seal of Advanced Mathematics and Technology
   (Available to students entering high school prior to 2018-2019.)
   The Board of Education’s Seal of Advanced Mathematics and Technology will be awarded to students who earn either a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma.
   1. and satisfy all of the mathematics requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma (four units of credit including Algebra II, two verified units of credit) with a “B” average or better
   2. and do one of the following
      • pass an examination in a career and technical education field that confers certification from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association
      • acquire a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia
      • pass an examination approved by the Board that confers college-level credit in a technology or computer science area. The board of education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements.
6. Requirements for a Board of Education's Seal for Excellence in Civics Education
   The Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Civics Education will be awarded to students who earn either a Standard or Advanced Studies diploma and
   1. complete Virginia and United States History and Virginia and United States Government courses with a grade of “B” or higher
   2. have good attendance and no disciplinary infractions as determined by local school board policies
   3. complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities. Activities that would satisfy this requirement include:
      • volunteering for a charitable or religious organization that provides services to the poor, sick or less fortunate;
      • participating in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or similar youth organizations;
      • participating in JROTC;
      • participating in political campaigns or government internships, or Boys State, Girls State, or Model General Assembly; or
      • participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities that have a civics focus. Any student who enlists in the United States military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met this community service requirement.
7. Requirements for Board of Education's Seal of Biliteracy
   The Board of Education's Seal of Biliteracy will be awarded to students who earn a Board of Education-approved diploma and:
   1. pass all required End-of-Course Assessments in English reading and writing at the proficient or higher level;
   2. and are proficient at the intermediate-mid level or higher in one or more language other than English, including American Sign Language, as demonstrated through an assessment from a list to be approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction
8. Requirements for Board of Education's Seal for Excellence in Science and the Environment
   The Board of Education's Seal for Excellence in Science and the Environment will be awarded to students who enter the ninth grade for the first time in the 2018-2019 year and thereafter, and meet each of the following criteria:
   1. earn either a Standard or Advanced Diploma
   2. complete at least three different first-level board-approved laboratory science courses and at least one rigorous advanced-level or postsecondary-level laboratory science course, each with a grade of “B” or higher
   3. complete at least 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities that involve the application of science such as environmental monitoring, protection, management, or restoration.