GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Graduation Requirements
- Student must complete a minimum of 238 units. Each subject completed with a passing grade is equivalent to 5 units a semester.
- Student must take one English and one Religion class each semester.
- Any student who has not received credit for a semester must make up the proper credit in summer school before returning the following school year.
- P.E. or Driver's Training cannot be used to make up academic "F's".
- Each student must complete Christian Service hours (see appendix) under the direction of the Campus Ministry/Christian Service coordinator and submit a Christian Service Reflection Paper through the Christian Service Google Classroom as assigned per class.
| Religion | 4 years | 40 units |
| English | 4 years | 40 units |
| Mathematics | 3 years | 30 units |
| Social Studies | 3 years | 30 units |
| Science | 2 years | 20 units |
| Foreign Language | 2 years | 20 units |
| P.E./Health | 1 year | 10 units |
| Fine Arts | 1 year | 10 units |
| Electives | 3 years | 30 units |
| Christian Service | 8 semesters | 8 units |
| 238 units | ||
NOTE: Participation in the graduation ceremony and receipt of a diploma are privileges, not rights. The school reserves the right to deny participation in graduation and to deny a diploma. Any student subject to such penalties will be granted a transcript, in accordance with the requirements of California law.
Any student who is missing one class (five credits) of required course work at the time of graduation, will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony, but will not receive a diploma until documentation is received that the appropriate class has been successfully completed. This class must be pre-approved by the Vice Principal or the Director of Academic Counseling.
Any student who is missing two or more classes (ten or more credits) of required course work will not be allowed to participate in the Graduation Ceremony, the Baccalaureate Mass, or Rehearsals.
B. VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN SELECTION PROCESS
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are chosen each year from the highest ranked students in the Senior class. Preliminary consideration is given to academic ability and the rigor of classes taken. A secondary consideration, in the case where academic ability is very similar among students, is the degree of involvement in extra-curricular activities and the attitude of the student toward school and learning. The Principal's Administrative Council will select them.
C. GRADUATION WITH HONORS:
| Summa Cum Laude: | Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.80 to 4.00 over the first 15 quarters |
| Magna Cum Laude: | Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.60 to 3.79 over the first 15 quarters |
| Cum Laude: | Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.40 to 3.59 over the first 15 quarters |
D. HONOR ROLL:
Honor Roll status is based on the previous semester's grades. Full-time students earning a 4.0 GPA are placed on the Principal's Honor Roll. Full-time students earning between 3.50 and 3.99 GPA are placed on the Serra Honor Roll.
E. COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRANCE -- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
4 years college prep English.
3 years Mathematics (including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II - four recommended)
2 years of the same Foreign Language (three recommended)
2 years of Lab Science (three recommended)
1 year of World History
1 year of U.S. History
1 year of U.S. Government/Economics 1 year of Visual and Performing Arts - Art, Music, Drama
1 year of U.C. approved elective (chosen from the subjects listed above or another course approved by the university)
- UC GPA includes 10th and 11th grade required courses, weighted for Honors/AP.
- UCs also consider essay, school/community activities, honors and awards, and work experience.
THINGS TO KNOW:
- UC and all other SELECTIVE colleges (Harvard, Stanford, Notre Dame, etc.) require the most rigorous course sequence possible, i.e. 4 years Math, 4 years science, 3 years language, AP and Honors courses, etc.
- Electives include all courses beyond the basics, e.g. Physics, Spanish III, Economics, Anatomy/Physiology, Psychology, AP Psychology. Not all electives are U.C. approved. Check with the counselor for details.
- MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRANCE -- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
4 years college prep English
3 years Mathematics (including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
2 years of the same Foreign Language
2 years of Lab Science
1 year of World History 1 year of US History
1 year of U.S. Government/Economics 1 year of Visual and Performing Arts -- Art, Music, Drama
1 year of college prep electives
THINGS TO KNOW:
- GPA grades 10-12, 11th and 12th grades weighted for honors
- Cal. State requirements meet most other state college requirements but there are differences. Check with the school counselor for specific requirements for specific schools.
- Most electives meet Cal. State requirements but there are exceptions. Check with the counselor before completing your schedule for Junior year.
- PRIVATE COLLEGES / OUT OF STATE COLLEGES
These vary in requirements; it is best to try to match UC requirements! Private colleges may also consider test scores, essays, activities, and also look at recommendations from teachers, academic counselor and/or clergy members.
2. COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF CALIFORNIA
Requirements: High School Diploma (not needed after age 18). Community colleges now have transfers and matriculation services to help all students reach their goal of transfer to a four-year college or earn an Associate Arts degree.
Requirements: High School Diploma (not needed after age 18). Community colleges now have transfers and matriculation services to help all students reach their goal of transfer to a four-year college or earn an Associate Arts degree.