Graduation Requirements
Each candidate for high school graduation in the Yelm Community Schools must complete the equivalent of a four-year program of educational growth in grades 9 - 12 and meet the requirements outlined to earn a diploma. Graduation requirements include: 24 credits, High School and Beyond Plan and Graduation Readiness Pathway components.
Graduation requirements are aligned with district Policy 2410 and the requirements of the State of Washington.
24 Credits
Students must complete 24 credits made up of 17 Foundational Credits and 7 Electives (4 General Elective and 3 Personalized Pathways). the Yelm High School course catalog outlines each course and what requirement is met. The following courses are approved for satisfying the subject area requirements as established by the State Board of Education and shall be required of each candidate for graduation:
English: Four (4) credits required in English 9, 10, 11, and 12
Math: Three (3) credits are required in Algebra I, Geometry, and a 3rd Credit of Math approved by the district and aligned to the HSBP
Science: Three (3) credits are required in Physical Science, Biology and a 3rd Credit of Science approved by the district and aligned to the HSBP
Social Studies: Three (3) credits are required in World History (1.0), United States History (1.0), Civics (0.5 standalone), and Social Studies Elective (0.5)
Arts: Two (2) credits are required (may include Personalized Pathway (1.0))
World Language: Two (2) credits are required (may include Personalized Pathway (2.0))
Health and Fitness: Two (2) credits are required in Health (0.5) and Physical Education (1.5)
Career and Technical Education: One (1) credit is required
Electives: Four (4) credits are required
Washington State History (non-credit usually taken in middle school or credited at the high school)
Total number of credits: 24
Plan
High School and Beyond Plans (HSBP) are a state graduation requirement designed to support students’ career and college exploration throughout their secondary education experience. Students must have a HSBP to guide their course choices and document their progress and achievement to prepare for postsecondary education or training and careers (RCW 28A.230.090). Students start their plan in seventh or eighth grade by taking a career interest and/or skill inventory assessment and using those results to inform their eighth grade course choices.
Students will continue to revise their plan throughout middle and high school to accommodate changing interests and educational or career goals. The HSBP helps to connect students’ career interests with their courses, and their courses with career pathways or college majors. The plan helps students identify the steps needed to reach postsecondary goals. (OSPI)
The HSBP revolves around four questions: Who am I? What aligns with who I am? What is my plan of action? How do I access that career? Their post-secondary plan may include pathways for applications to four-year colleges or universities, two-year community or technical colleges, apprenticeship programs, industry standards certificate programs, military training, on-the-job training, or entrepreneurship.
Students use Xello, a web-based career and education guidance tool, to create a portfolio they update throughout high school. The portfolio includes a complete student history, academic information, interest assessments, career goals, course plan, and resumes. Students must present their portfolios at a Student-Led Conference in the spring. The HSBP earns students a .5 credit at the conclusion of the 10th and 12th-grade year if required components are completed.
6th Grade: Follow Your Interests to a Career You Love
- Time Management
- Decision Making
- Interests
- School Subjects at Work
7th Grade: The Many Roads to Success
- Learning Styles
- Discovery Learning Pathways
- Biases and Career Choices
- Jobs and Employers
8th Grade: Create Your Four-Year Course Plan
- Self-Advocacy
- Skills
- Explore Career Matches
- Transition to High School
9th Grade: Explore
- About Me: Match Maker, Personality Style, Mission Complete Skills, Interests, and Places, Skills Lab
- Lessons: Personality Styles, Explore Career Matches, Getting Experience, Exploring Career Factors, and Study Skills and Habits.
- Exploring Options: Save 3 Careers, Save 3 Experiences
- HSBP: Essay 9th Grade Prompts
10th Grade: Discover
- Lessons: Build your Resume, Careers and Lifestyle Costs, Program Prospects, Work Values, and Workplace Skills and Attitudes.
- Exploring Options: Save 3 Majors, Save 3 Schools
- HSBP: Essay 10th Grade Prompts
11th Grade: Action
- About Me: Update Profile
- Lessons: College Planning – Knowledge Hub, Career Demand, Choosing a College, Entrepreneurial Skills, and Work/life Balance.
- Exploring Options: Save 3 Schools
- Goals & Plans: College Planning
- HSBP: Essay 11th Grade Prompts
12th Grade: Commit
- About Me: Update Resume
- Lessons: Letter of Recommendation, Career Path Choices, Defining Success, Job Interviews, and Career Backup Plans.
- Goals & Plans: Knowledge Hub: FASFA/WASFA
- College Application: Essay
Pathway
Students demonstrate their readiness to enter a post-secondary education and/or training aligned to their interested career by completing one of the Graduation Readiness Pathways listed below which should be aligned to their High School Beyond Plan.
- Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test passing with state identified cut score
- Career & Technical Education (CTE) Course Sequence of 2.0 credits in an approved program area
- Complete a Personalized Pathway Portfolio
- Smarter Balanced State Assessment or WA-AIM (ELA and/or Math)
- SAT or ACT scores (ELA and/or Math)
- Earn College Credit (ELA and/or Math)
- Earn Transitions credit (ELA and/or Math)
- Earn AP, IB or Cambridge credit (ELA and/or Math)
- Combination of ELA and Math options listed above
Visit OSPI for additional details on each readiness pathway.