IKFGRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
IKFRegular Education
The Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) requires a minimum of twenty-four (24) units of credit for graduation. Listed below are the units that must be completed before a student may receive a high school diploma. Each student shall demonstrate accomplishment of the standards in reading, writing, science, social studies, and mathematics adopted by the State Board of Education, and pass a required competency test(s) pursuant to A.R.S. 15-701.01 in order to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency diploma.
CFSD graduation requirements may be met as follows:
A. By successful completion of subject area course requirements.
B. By mastery of the standards adopted by the State Board of Education and other competency requirements for the subject that are in addition to or higher than the course of study and competency requirements prescribed by the State Board, as determined by the Governing Board in accord with A.A.C. R7-2-302.02 and rules established by the Superintendent.
C. By earning credits through alternative courses, e.g., correspondence courses (limited to one [1] in each of the four [4] major subject areas of reading and writing, mathematics, science, and social studies), online, credit recovery, and/or by passing appropriate courses at the college or university level if the courses are determined to meet or exceed standards and criteria established by the Board and in accord with A.R.S. 15-701.01. The high school principal will evaluate alternative courses and approve them for credit.
D. By the transfer of credits as described in Policy JFABC, Admission of Transfer Students.
In addition to the requirements specified in this policy, graduation eligibility and the awarding of a diploma or certificate of completion require that a student be enrolled full-time during the final semester, taking at least the required number of classes for a senior with no fewer than six (6) of those courses taken on the Catalina Foothills High School campus.
Graduation requirements, as prescribed by the Arizona State Board of Education and the CFSD Governing Board, are as follows:
English 4.0 units
Math 4.0 units*
Science 3.0 units**
Biology..................................................................1.0 unit
(Chemistry, Chemistry: Intro to
Biotechnology), or
Physical Science..................................................1.0 unit
(Physics, Field Science, Astronomy,
Earth & Space)
Science, or Applications of Biotechnology.............1.0 unit
Social Studies 4.0 units***
World History........................................................1.0 unit
U.S. History...........................................................1.0 unit
AP Psychology or Perspectives on Modern
History and American Law & Justice....................1.0 unit
United States Government...................................0.5 unit
Economics............................................................0.5 unit****
Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education 1.0 unit
Physical Education 1.0 unit
World Languages (proficiency equivalent of two [2]
years in Spanish or Chinese) 2.0 units
Health and Wellness 0.5 unit
Electives 4.5 units
Total 24.0 units
* Math courses shall consist of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (or it's equivalent), and an additional course with significant math content as determined by the Governing Board. Courses successfully completed prior to ninth grade that meets the CFSD mathematics requirements may be applied toward satisfying those requirements.
* In lieu of one (1) credit of Algebra II or its equivalent course content a student may request a personal curriculum in mathematics following R7-2-302.03.
** Three (3) credits of science in preparation for proficiency at the high school level on the Arizona Science Test (AzSCI) or successor test.
*** New Social studies course requirements for graduation will be implemented over three (3) years through the 2024-2025 school year. Social studies course requirements shall consist of World History (9th grade), U.S. History (10th grade), AP Psychology or Perspectives on Modern History and American Law & Justice (11th grade), and U.S. Government and Economics (12th grade) for all ninth (9th)-grade students (cohort 2026) beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. The social studies course requirements for students in grade 10 (cohort 2025), grade 11 (cohort 2024), and grade 12 (cohort 2023) will not change with the exception of transfer students at grades 11 and 12 in the 2023-2024 school year.
Social Studies Credit Requirements for
Graduation for Class of 2023
A student shall successfully complete a minimum of 4 credits in social studies that include the following:
A. Grade 9: Global Issues or Humanities 9 – Global Studies (1 credit)
B. Grade 10: Western Civilization or Humanities 10 – Western Studies (1 credit)
C. Grade 11: U.S. History or Humanities 11 – American Studies (1 credit)
D. Grade 12: U.S. Government (.5 credit) and Economics (.5 credit)
Social Studies Credit Requirements for
Graduation for Class of 2024
A student shall successfully complete a minimum of 4 credits in social studies that include the following:
A. Grade 9: Global Issues or Humanities 9 – Global Studies (1 credit)
B. Grade 10: Western Civilization or Humanities 10 – Western Studies (1 credit)
C. Grade 11: U.S. History (1 credit)
D. Grade 12: U.S. Government (.5 credit) and Economics (.5 credit)
Social Studies Credit Requirements for
Graduation for Class of 2025
A student shall successfully complete a minimum of 4 credits in social studies that include the following:
A. Grade 9: Global Issues or Humanities 9 – Global Studies (1 credit)
B. Grade 10: Western Civilization
C. Grade 11: U.S. History (1 credit)
D. Grade 12: U.S. Government (.5 credit) and Economics (.5 credit)
Social Studies Credit Requirements for
Graduation for Class of 2026
A student shall successfully complete a minimum of 4 credits in social studies that include the following:
A. Grade 9: World History (1 credit)
B. Grade 10: U.S. History (1 credit)
C. Grade 11: AP Psychology (1 credit) or Perspectives on Modern History (.5 credit) and American Law & Justice (.5 credit)
D. Grade 12: U.S. Government (.5 credit) and Economics (.5 credit)
**** The State Board requirement for economics is at least one-half (.5) of a course credit, which shall include financial literacy and personal financial management.
Through the graduating class of 2025, the competency requirements for social studies shall include a requirement that, in order to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency diploma, a student must correctly answer at least sixty (60) of the one hundred (100) questions listed on a test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Beginning with the graduating class of 2026, the competency requirements for social studies shall include a requirement that, in order to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency diploma, a student must correctly answer at least seventy (70) of the one hundred (100) questions listed on a test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The District shall document on the student’s transcript only a pass or fail designation that the student has passed or failed the test.
A student in grade seven (7) or eight (8) may take the tests described in this paragraph, and if the student correctly answers at least seventy (70) of the one hundred (100) questions on the test:
a) The District school shall document on the student’s transcript only a pass or fail designation that the student has passed or failed the test required by this paragraph.
b) The student is not required to take the test required by this paragraph again in high school.
The Governing Board may determine the method and manner in which to administer a test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. A student who does not obtain a passing score on the test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test may retake the test until the student obtains a passing score.
Each school district shall report to the department of education all of the following aggregate data, organized by grade level, relating to the test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services required by subsection A, paragraph 3 of section 15-701.01:
1. The median score.
2. The percentage of students who passed by correctly answering the minimum number of questions required to pass the test pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 of section 15-701.01.
3. The percentage of students who failed by correctly answering fewer than the minimum number of questions required to pass the test pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3 of section 15-701.01.
4. Any other data required by the department relating to the test.
A school district may not include the personally identifiable information of any student in the data reported to the department of education under subsection L of section 15-701.01.
Transfer Students
An out-of-state transfer student is not required to pass a competency test to graduate if the student has passed a statewide assessment test on state adopted standards that are substantially equivalent to the State Board Adopted Academic Standards.
Transfer students will meet the graduation requirements for World Languages in one (1) of the following ways:
A. Transfer students who have successfully completed two (2) years of continuous language study at a previous high school will be deemed to have met CFSD graduation requirements, if approved by the high school principal.
B. Transfer students who enroll in grades ten (10) through twelve (12) and bring one (1) credit of Spanish or Chinese may take Spanish or Chinese at Catalina Foothills High School (CFHS), as available, to earn credit for their second year of continuous study and meet the CFSD graduation requirements.
C. Students who enroll in grades nine (9) through eleven (11) with no previous years of language study at the high school level will need to earn two (2) credits of CFHS Spanish or Chinese to meet the CFSD graduation requirements.
D. Students who enroll in grade twelve (12) with no previous language study at the high school level will need to successfully complete Spanish 1 or Chinese 1 and an approved summer course (online or traditional classroom) or two (2) semesters of college-level Spanish or Chinese to meet the CFSD graduation requirement.
Students who come with credit in a language not offered at CFHS will be allowed to take an approved continued language course (online or traditional classroom) at another institution to earn the additional credit required for graduation.
Students who transfer to CFHS as juniors or seniors during the 2023-2024 school year will meet the four (4) credit graduation requirements for Social Studies if they have successfully completed one (1) credit of World History, one (1) credit of U.S. History, one (1) semester (.5 credit) of U.S. Government, one (1) semester (.5 credit) of Economics, and one of the following:
A. Transfer students who enroll in grade eleven (11) or twelve (12) will receive one (1) credit for a qualifying yearlong Social Studies or Social Science course or two (2) qualifying one-semester (.5 credit) Social Studies or Social Science courses that were successfully completed at a previous high school. The transfer credit shall be in addition to the credit requirements for World History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, and Economics.
B. Transfer students who enroll in grade eleven (11) or twelve (12) and do not bring a qualifying Social Studies or Social Science transfer credit will take the CFHS courses, Personal Finance (.5 credit) and Consumer Finance (.5 credit) to meet the four (4) credit graduation requirement.
C. Transfer students who enroll in grade eleven (11) or twelve (12) and have not received credit for World History and/or U.S. History, and/or U.S. Government, and/or Economics, and do not bring a qualifying Social Studies or Social Science transfer credit, will take the missing class(es) and the CFHS courses, Personal Finance (.5 credit) and Consumer Finance (.5 credit) to meet the four (4) credit graduation requirement for Social Studies.
Special Education
Completion of graduation requirements for special education students who do not meet the required units of credit shall be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the special education course of study and the individualized education program of the student. Graduation requirements established by the Governing Board may be met by a student as defined in A.R.S. 15-701.01 and A.A.C. R7-2-302.
Students who receive special education shall not be required to achieve passing scores on the Arizona Science Test (AzSCI) or successor test, or the test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test under section 15-701.01 in order to graduate from high school unless the student:
A. Is learning at a level appropriate for the student's grade level in a specific academic area; and
B. Unless a passing score on the Arizona Science Test (AzSCI) successor test, or the test that is identical to the civics portion of the naturalization test under section 15-701.01 is specifically required in a specific academic area by the student's individualized education program, as mutually agreed on by the student's parents and the student's individualized education program team or the student if the student is at least eighteen years of age.
Competency requirements. Any student who is placed in special education classes, grades nine (9) through twelve (12), is eligible to complete local graduation requirements without meeting state competency requirements, but reference to special education placement may be placed on the student's transcript or permanent file.
Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency
The District has chosen to voluntarily participate in the Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency program and annually needs to notify the Superintendent of Public Instruction of such intention. Each school year, the District will identify the students who have met the requirements to be awarded the Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency. The Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency shall be affixed to the diploma and noted on the transcript of each student who has met the requirements.
Arizona Seal of Biliteracy
The District has chosen to voluntarily participate in the State Seal of Biliteracy program and annually needs to notify the Superintendent of Public Instruction of such intention. Each school year, the District will identify the students who have met the requirements to be awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy. The State Seal of Biliteracy shall be affixed to the diploma and noted on the transcript of each student who has met the requirements.
CPR Instruction and Training
The District shall provide students with one (1) or more training sessions in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), through the use of psychomotor skills in an age-appropriate manner, during high school. CFSD includes the mandatory training session(s) in the ninth grade Health and Wellness course.
Honors Credit
The District provides Honors credit within a traditional high school course as an option for students to pursue advanced learning opportunities in English, social studies, and Algebra 1 without enrolling in an Advanced Placement or Honors course.
Honors credit is awarded at the end of each semester to students who earn an average rubric score of three and one-half (3.5) or higher in courses designated as Honors credit (HC). Rubric scores are translated into letter grades to calculate the grade point average (GPA) and for transcript purposes. Students who earn Honors credit will automatically receive a one-quarter (.25) increase in the GPA calculation and have an (H) designation added to their transcript.
Honors Diploma
The District shall provide students with the opportunity to earn the Honors Diploma upon graduation from high school. This diploma will be awarded to students who excel in their high school coursework, as determined by GPA, and on Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as determined by AP test scores.
To earn the Honors Diploma, students must be enrolled as full-time students at the high school for both semesters of their junior and senior years, and meet the following additional criteria:
A. Earn a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher for each semester in grades ten through twelve (10-12); and
B. Earn a cumulative weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher by the end of senior year; and
C. Demonstrate excellence in AP coursework by:
1. Earning a score of "4" or "5" on three (3) AP exams by the end of junior year and completing a minimum of three (3) AP exams as a senior, and earning a grade of "B" or higher each semester in the respective AP classes; or
2. Earning a score of "4" or "5" on four (4) AP exams by the end of junior year and completing a minimum of two (2) AP exams as a senior, and earning a grade of "B" or higher each semester in the respective AP classes.
The principal or designee will identify the students who have met the requirements to be awarded the Honors Diploma. Students who qualify for the Honors Diploma shall have an "Honors" seal affixed to their diploma.
Adopted: January 24, 2023
LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
15-203
15-341
15-701.01
15-763
A.A.C.
R7-2-302.02
R7-2-302.03
CROSS REF.:
IGD - Curriculum Adoption
IGE - Curriculum Guides and Course Outlines
IHAMC - Instruction and Training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
IHAMD - Instruction and Training in Suicide Prevention
IIE - Student Schedules and Course Loads
IKA - Grading/Assessment Systems
JFABC - Admission of Transfer Students