ACADEMIC GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To meet the requirements for graduation, a student shall have attained an approved attendance and conduct record, and a subject matter which covers a planned program of education. More specifically to receive a regular diploma:

Graduation requirements:

Subject Matter	Credits	Requirements
English	4	English I, II, III, IV or Comp I/II
Mathematics	4	Alg. 1, Geometry, Alg. 2, SAILS Math
Science	3	Biology, Chemistry, 1 other Lab Science
Wellness/P.E.	1.5	Wellness/P.E.
Foreign Language	2	2 years of the same
Social Studies	3	US History/.5 Economics/.5 Government
Fine Arts	1	Theater/Music/Art
Personal Finance	.5	.5 PE/.5 Personal Finance
Electives	3
Credits for Graduation	22

1. Each student must serve 100 hours of community service for the school. These hours may not be earned by serving immediate family (e.g., cutting the grass in your own yard). Written verification from organization, etc., is required to be in the hands of the guidance counselor two weeks prior to graduation. It is recommended that each student attempt to put in 25 hours per year. Volunteer hours earned during the school day at school are given only 1/3 of an hour credit. For example, a student who is a teacher assistant during school for 180 days will receive 60 hours of community service.

2. Each student should work with the school guidance counselor to identify colleges they may wish to attend. Some colleges have special requirements for their enrolling freshmen or for certain majors. All students will meet with the guidance counselor once a year to make sure they are getting the credits they need to enter the college of their choice. This is of particular importance at the beginning of one’s junior year.

Requirements for Valedictorian/Salutatorian/Top Ten

Currently, many scholarships and the amount of money for those scholarships (including Hope Scholarships) are awarded based on a student’s rank among their peers in their senior year. A class ranking as Valedictorian (highest grades in the senior class) are usually given the highest amounts for scholarships. A class ranking of Salutatorian (second highest grades in the class) usually receives less than a Valedictorian, but more than the rest of the Top Ten scholars. Top Ten scholars (rankings in class third to tenth)  usually receive higher awards than those with a ranking below tenth place. Thus, one can see that class ranking is important to your financial future when headed for college or higher levels of training. ·

1. Students passing dual enrollment courses will receive an automatic three (3) points to their final average.
2. Students must be enrolled full-time in RHMS for their Junior and Senior years in order to be eligible for the title of Valedictorian or Salutatorian, even if they have the highest or second highest grades in the class.
3. The official recognition for rank in class will be declared after the completion of the first semester during the senior year. All calculations regarding the standings are to be computer generated by the SSMS system, so as to minimize error.  The calculations are to be performed by the School Counselor and reviewed by the Principal. Announcements of class rankings will be made by the Principal or the Class Sponsor at the first Senior Class meeting of the second semester. Top Ten will be ranked on 100 point scale, not quality point.