McCook Public School

Graduation Requirements

1. Senior High graduation requires  two-hundred twenty (220) credit hours accumulated from the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades.

2. Specific graduation requirements are as follows:

Thirty (30) credit hours of Social Studies

Forty (40) credit hours of English

Twenty (20) credit hours of Science

Ten  (10) credit hours of Physical Education  

Thirty (30) credit hours of Mathematics

An advanced Diploma may be awarded to students who obtain at least 40 credits in specified courses of Math, English, Science and Social Studies.

A. 40-English:  English 9, Advanced English 9, English 10, Advanced English 10, English 11, Advanced English 11, English 12, AP English, College English, Dual English.

B. 40—Math:  Algebra 1, Algebra II, Algebra II/Trig, Geometry, Pre Calculus, Statistic/Calculus, College Algebra and College Math courses above College Algebra.

C. 40—Science:  Physical Science, advanced Physical Science, Biology, Honors Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Physics and College Science Classes.

D. 40-Social Studies:  9th Civics/Geography, World History, Honors World History, American History, Honors American History, Government & Law, Economics and College Social Studies classes.

3.     Graduation and granting of diplomas shall be determined primarily by the satisfaction of the specific graduation requirements.  Except for the 220 credit hour requirement, certain deviations may be allowed when it is determined educationally beneficial to the student.

        Variance from the specific requirements may be approved by the Superintendent upon the recommendation of the Senior High School Principal.  Such recommendations shall be determined by a conference consisting of the principal, counselor, teacher(s), parent(s)/guardian and the student.  All decisions for requirement variations shall be determined at appropriate intervals during the student's sophomore, junior, or senior year.

4.     Transfer Students/Foreign Exchange Students:

Transfer students from other schools are eligible for graduation upon completing the McCook Senior High School requirements or an equivalent academic offering.  Foreign Exchange Students who cannot satisfy these requirements in the time they are at McCook Senior High School may participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate of attendance.

Evaluation of classes transferred into McCook Senior-Junior High School will be made by the counselor, assistant principal, and the principal. 

5.     Mid-Year Graduation:

a) Students may graduate after one semester of their senior year provided they have satisfactorily completed all requirements for early graduation.

b) Students who plan to graduate at the end of the first semester must submit an application in writing by the end of the first nine-week period stating their desire to graduate at mid-year.

c) An applicant must be a senior in good standing who has met the minimum requirements for graduation.

d) Applicants must meet all graduation requirements unless they are special hardship cases as determined by a committee consisting of the principal, counselor, and student(s).

e) Seniors who graduate at the end of the first semester will be excluded from all school activities and organizations and will relinquish all privileges extended to McCook Senior High School students during the second semester, except for participation in junior-senior prom, and graduation (commencement) exercises.  Participation in any school activity is subject to the satisfying of  all normal obligations as applied to the regular full-year student.

f) Mid-year graduates will be considered for scholarships if basic qualifications are met.