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Graduation Requirements

Students wishing to earn a diploma and graduate from McMinnville High School must meet the requirements established both by the State of Oregon and McMinnville School District. These requirements include:

McMinnville School District offers five (5) types of diploma as well as a Certificate of Attendance. The types of diplomas include Honors, Standard, Basic, Modified, and Extended. To be eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies students MUST earn the Basic, Standard, Honors or Modified Diploma. Students interested in the Honors, Modified, Basic, or Extended diplomas should meet with their counselor to understand the eligibility requirements.

Standard Diploma

Each student is required to earn a minimum twenty-seven (27) units as indicated below in order to be awarded the District’s Standard Diploma. Students must also meet the PEP and Essential Skills requirements in order to graduate.

Standard DiplomaCredits
Language Arts4.0
Mathematics
(Algebra 1 or higher)
3.0
Science3.0
Social Studies*3.0
Physical Education1.0
Health Education1.0
Applied & Fine Arts
(Second Language, Art, Career & Technical Education)
3.0
Electives**6.0
Career Pathway Courses2.5
Career Education–PEP0.5
Total Credits27.0
Essential Skills ***Required
*Social Studies must include 0.5 credits of Civics beginning with the class of 2026
**Electives must include 0.5 credits of Personal Finance beginning with the class of 2027
*** The Essential Skills requirement is suspended for the class of 2025-2028

Honors Diploma

The Honors Diploma is available to those students who are seeking to challenge themselves academically and prepare themselves through rigorous coursework for life beyond high school. Each student is required to earn a minimum twenty-seven (27) units as indicated below in order to be awarded the District’s Honors Diploma. Students must also meet the PEP and Essential Skills requirements in order to graduate.

Honors DiplomaCredits
Language Arts4.0
Mathematics
(Algebra 1 or higher)
3.0
Science3.0
Social Studies*3.0
Physical Education1.0
Health Education1.0
Applied & Fine Arts
(Third Year of Second Language, Art, Career & Technical Education)
1.0**
Second Language2.0
Electives**6.0
Career Pathway Courses2.5
Career Education–PEP0.5
Total Credits27.0
Essential Skills ***Required
*Social Studies must include 0.5 credits of Civics beginning with the class of 2026
**Electives must include 0.5 credits of Personal Finance beginning with the class of 2027
*** The Essential Skills requirement is suspended for the class of 2025-28

Honors Diploma Additional Requirements

  • Maintain a cumulative unweighted grade point average of at least 3.5 by the student’s 7th semester.
  • Completion of 7 of the 27 units of credit in Advanced Placement or Honors Level courses. Courses graded with a P will not count toward these 7 credits.
  • Meet or exceed state standard in English Language, Math and Science on the Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS).

Basic Diploma

It is the goal of the District to have all students achieve a Standard or Honors Diploma. For a small group of students, on an individual basis, the District may award a Basic Diploma. The recommendation for a Basic Diploma is at the sole discretion of the District, and is typically awarded to those students having difficulty accessing pathway coursework. The recommendation to consider a student for a Basic Diploma can be made no earlier than the student’s junior year. To receive a Basic Diploma, the student must have completed the following units of credit and meet the PEP and Essential Skills requirements.

Basic DiplomaCredits
Language Arts4.0
Mathematics
(Algebra 1 or higher)
3.0
Science3.0
Social Studies*3.0
Physical Education1.0
Health Education1.0
Applied & Fine Arts
(Second Language, Art, Career & Technical Education)
3.0
Electives**6.0
Total Credits24.0
PEPRequired
Essential Skills ***Required
*Social Studies must include 0.5 credits of Civics beginning with the class of 2026
**Electives must include 0.5 credits of Personal Finance beginning with the class of 2027
*** The Essential Skills requirement is suspended for the class of 2025-2028

Modified Diploma

Parents and Students are encouraged to meet with their counselor to review eligibility requirements for the Modified Diploma. Students must meet the PEP and Essential Skills requirement as well as complete the units of credit for the District’s Modified Diploma:

Modified DiplomaCredits
Language Arts3.0
Mathematics2.0
Science2.0
Social Studies*2.0
Physical Education1.0
Health Education1.0
Applied & Fine Arts
(Second Language, Art, Career & Technical Education)
1.0
Electives**12.0
Total Credits24.0
PEPRequired
Essential Skills ***Required
*Social Studies must include 0.5 credits of Civics beginning with the class of 2026
**Electives must include 0.5 credits of Personal Finance beginning with the class of 2027
*** The Essential Skills requirement is suspended for the class of 2025-2028

Extended Diploma

Parents and Students are encouraged to meet with their counselor to review eligibility requirements for the Extended Diploma. Required Units of Credit for the District’s Extended Diploma:

Extended DiplomaCredits
Language Arts2.0
Mathematics2.0
Science2.0
Social Studies3.0
Physical Education1.0
Health Education1.0
Applied & Fine Arts
(Second Language, Art, Career & Technical Education)
1.0
Total Credits12.0