Graduation Requirements

Earn a passing score on Ohio’s high school Math I and English II tests. Students who do not pass the test will be offered additional support and must retake the test at least once.

Earn credit for one college-level math and/ or college-level English course through Ohio’s free College Credit Plus program.

Show evidence that you have signed a contract to enter a branch of the U.S. armed services upon graduation.

Ohio high school students now can earn recognition by showing they are prepared to contribute to the workplace and their communities. The OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal is a formal designation students can earn on their high school diplomas and transcripts indicating they have the personal strengths, strong work ethic and professional experience that businesses need.

To earn the OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal, motivated high school students must demonstrate certain professional skills required for success in the workplace. Students work with at least three experienced and trusted mentors who validate the demonstration of these skills in school, work or the community.

The OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal is available for the graduating classes of 2018 and beyond and will be printed directly on Ohio diplomas and transcripts. 

READ MORE ON THE ODE WEBSITE

A student can:

• Earn a score of proficient or higher on the biology end-of-course exam;
• Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams; or
• Earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in an appropriate class taken through the College Credit Plus program

Competency can be achieved by meeting the requirement to enlist in the military, as demonstrated by a contract with the military upon graduation.

A Seal of Bi-Literacy recognizes graduating seniors who can demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one other language. A school or district gives this award by following state-established guidelines.

READ MORE ON THE ODE WEBSITE

A student can:

• Earn a score of proficient or higher on both the American history  and American government end-of-course exams;
• Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams; or
• Earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in appropriate classes taken through the College Credit Plus program. 

Earning an industry-recognized credential and a WorkKeys score of 13 (14 for students in the class of 2020 and beyond) is one of three pathways to earn a high school diploma. When students earn industry-recognized credentials, schools and districts get credit on Ohio Report Cards for their success in preparing students for careers. 

The process of earning an industry-recognized credential (and career-technical education in general) allows students to experience education through work, about work and for work. Students learn more deeply by practicing and applying their knowledge through work and employment experiences – learning through work. They learn about workplace expectations in terms of professional or “soft” skills needed for employment, as well as learning about career pathways and what the labor market for particular occupations looks like – learning about work. And, they learn the job-specific skills they will need to perform day-to-day tasks – learning for work.

READ MORE ON THE ODE WEBSITE

One of the pathways that students may use to meet the test requirement for graduation is a college and career readiness test. The two tests that meet this pathway are the ACT and SAT. Colleges and universities use the ACT and SAT to determine student readiness for the rigors of higher education. These institutions generally expect that students who earn "remediation-free" scores will be able to succeed in their college courses.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education works with Ohio universities to set the remediation-free scores for the ACT and SAT. Periodically, for a variety of reasons, these scores may be adjusted. State law requires the Ohio Department of Education to use the ACT and SAT remediation-free scores to meet the graduation requirements of the college and career readiness test pathway.

The Ohio Department of Education will communicate the remediation-free scores needed to meet the graduation requirement in spring of the students’ junior (grade 11) year before they take the state-sponsored test. For all high school juniors, the remediation-free scores set by Feb. 1 of their junior year will be used to meet their graduation requirement. Any changes after Feb. 1 each year will affect only future groups of students.

Students must earn “remediation-free” scores in each of the three subscore areas, two in English language arts and one in mathematics.

READ MORE ON THE ODE WEBSITE

A student can:

• Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on an appropriate Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam; or
• Earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in an appropriate class taken through the College Credit Plus program; or
• Complete a course offered through the district or school that meets guidelines developed by the Department. (A district or school is not required to offer a course that meets those guidelines.)

High school students can gain state recognition for exceeding Ohio’s graduation requirements through an honors diploma. Students challenge themselves by taking and succeeding at high-level coursework and in real-world experiences.

Ohio students have the opportunity to choose to pursue one of six honors diplomas (click the links below for details):

1. Academic Honors Diploma
2. International Baccalaureate Honors Diploma
3. Career Tech Honors Diploma
4. STEM Honors Diploma
5. Arts Honors Diploma*
6. Social Science and Civic Engagement Honors Diploma

Read more on the ODE website

Demonstrate skill in the fine or performing arts according to an evaluation aligned with the guidelines adopted by the student’s local board of education.

Complete a community service project aligned with the guidelines adopted by the student’s local board of education.

Participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, or student government to a meaningful extent, as determined by guidelines adopted by the student’s location board of education.