High School Graduation Requirements
Upper Arlington Schools is committed to challenging and supporting every student, every step of the way — to ensure their success in our classrooms and beyond. Our mission guides our work to support every student so that they successfully complete graduation requirements. Students are encouraged to carefully plan a program of studies that will assist them in reaching their educational and occupational goals.
Due to changes in state law, Ohio introduced new graduation requirements for students in the classes of 2021 and beyond. Upper Arlington High School makes every effort to keep students and parents informed about the status of progress toward completing the necessary coursework for graduation requirements.
The changes are focused on these three areas:
- Fulfill Course Requirements — earn a minimum of 21 credits in specific subjects.
- Show Competency —earn a minimum score on two specific end-of-course exams, or pursue alternate options after two attempts on the state exams
- Show Readiness — choose a Pathway and earn Seals that allow students to demonstrate one or more of the following: academic and technical knowledge, professional skills, social and emotional competencies, or learner and reasoning skills.
Upper Arlington Schools is committed to effectively communicating with students and families about these requirements and the various options that students may pursue.
Classes of 2025 Graduation Requirements Overview
- Class of 2025 Requirements in Detail
- Class of 2026 and Beyond Requirements in Detail
- Class of 2029 and Beyond Requirements in Detail
- Online Course Requirement for Class of 2029 and Beyond
- Ohio Department of Education & Workforce Resources
Class of 2025 Requirements in Detail
First: Fulfill Course Requirements
Students will satisfy Ohio's curriculum requirements and any additional requirements of the Upper Arlington Schools. Students will complete a minimum of 21 credits, with specific units required in each content area.
|
English Language Arts |
4 credits |
|
Mathematics |
4 credits Must include Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II |
| Science | 3 credits Must include 1 credit each of Life Science and Physical Science |
| Social Studies | 3 credits Must include 1 credit each of: American History; Politics, Economics & Government; and Global History |
| Global Languages, Ed Tech, Industrial Technology, or Business | 2 credits |
| Art: Visual Art, Music or Theater | 1 credit |
| Health | 0.5 credit |
| Physical Education (or PE Waiver) | 0.5 credit |
| Capstone IB Diploma Extended Essay |
0.5 credit 0 credit Must include one of the above, completed by the end of senior year |
| Electives | 2.5 credits Or 3 credits if using PE Waiver |
Second: Demonstrate Competency
Students must earn a "competency" score (a minimum of 684) on the Algebra I and English II end-of-course exams. Students who do not earn a competency score after two attempts can use these alternate ways to demonstrate competency.
Alternate options
- Demonstrate two career-focused activities, including at least one foundational skill.
- Options for Foundational Skills
- Earn a cumulative score of proficient or higher on three or more WebXams in a single career pathway.
- Earn a 12-point industry credential.
- Successfully complete a pre-apprenticeship program or be accepted into an approved apprenticeship program that is registered with the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council.
- Options for Supporting Skills
- Work-based learning
- Earn the required score on the WorkKeys Exam
- Earn the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal
- Options for Foundational Skills
- Enlist in the military — show evidence that you have signed a contract to enter a branch of the U.S. Armed Services upon graduation.
- Earn credit for one college-level math or college-level English course through Ohio's free College Credit Plus program.
- Obtain a remediation-free score in the math or English subject areas on the ACT or SAT. To demonstrate competency in English II, a student must be remediation-free in both English and reading on the ACT.
Excusal from Demonstrating Competency
Students with individualized education programs who are excused from the consequences of end-of-course tests according to Ohio Revised Code 3313.61(L) are eligible to be excused from the requirement to demonstrate competency if their IEP specifically exempts the student from the competency requirements and they meet the following criteria:
-
Students must test, receive remediation and retest in the subject area(s) in which they did not meet the competency score to be excused from consequences of the English Language Arts II and/or Algebra I/Math I assessments or math and/or English Language Arts Alternate Assessment.
-
Students with an excusal from the consequences of assessments are excused from demonstrating competency but still must earn at least two seals, one of which must be a state-defined seal. Students excused from the consequences of assessments do not inherently earn the Citizenship and Science seals.
Third: Show Readiness
Students must earn a minimum of two diploma seals. At least one diploma seal must be a state seal.
| Diploma Seal | Type | How to Earn the Seal |
|---|---|---|
| OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal | State | Meet the requirements and criteria established for the readiness seal including demonstration of work-readiness and professional competencies. Rubric based. |
| Industry-Recognized Credential Seal | State |
|
| College-Ready Seal | State | Earn remediation-free scores on the ACT or SAT. Visit the Ohio Department of Education's website to see current remediation-free scores. |
| Military Enlistment Seal | State | Provide evidence that a student has enlisted in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; or participate in an approved JROTC program. |
| Citizenship Seal | State |
|
| Science Seal | State |
|
| Honors Diploma Seal | State | Earn one of six Honors Diplomas outlined below:
|
| Seal of Biliteracy | State | Meet the requirements and criteria, including proficiency requirements on assessments in a world language and English. |
| Technology Seal | State | Earn a score that is at least equivalent to proficient on an appropriate AP or IB exam; 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.) |
| Community Service Seal | Local | A student may earn a Community Service Seal by completing a minimum of sixty (60) hours of community service during high school in a high-quality community service experience. |
| Fine and Performing Arts Seal | Local | A student may earn a Fine / Performing Arts Seal by earning at least two (2) credits of approved fine arts program electives in either visual or performing arts during high school. |
| Student Engagement Seal | Local | A student may earn a Student Engagement Seal by participating in at least two (2) extracurricular activities during high school. Eligible activities include participation in an athletic program (one sports season); recognized school club (must complete at least 30 hours of club participation); or performance/production (one full production). In order for participation to count toward earning the seal, students must participate in the entire scheduled season of the activity. |
Transfer Students: Information about transfer students located near the bottom of this webpage.
Alternate Assessment: At its June 2022 meeting, the State Board of Education approved scores for students taking Ohio’s Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities related to long-term graduation requirements. Students taking this assessment will need to earn a “Basic” score or higher to demonstrate competency on mathematics and English language arts assessments. Students must earn the “Basic” score or higher on social studies and science assessments to earn the Citizenship and Science Seals.
Class of 2026 and Beyond Requirements in Detail
First: Fulfill Course Requirements
Students will satisfy Ohio's curriculum requirements and any additional requirements of the Upper Arlington Schools. Students will complete a minimum of 21 credits, with specific units required in each content area.
|
Content Area |
Number of credits required |
|---|---|
|
English Language Arts |
4 credits |
|
Mathematics |
4 credits Must include Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II |
| Science | 3 credits Must include 1 credit each of Life Science and Physical Science |
| Social Studies | 3 credits Must include 1 credit each of: American History; Politics, Economics & Government; and Global History |
| Financial Literacy | 0.5 credit Starting with the Class of 2026, a Financial Literacy class will be required by the State of Ohio. |
| Global Languages, Ed Tech, Industrial Technology, or Business | 2 credits |
| Art: Visual Art, Music or Theater | 1 credit |
| Health | 0.5 credit |
| Physical Education (or PE Waiver) | 0.5 credit |
| Capstone IB Diploma Extended Essay |
0.5 credit 0 credit Must include one of the above, completed by the end of senior year |
| Electives |
2 credits |
Second: Demonstrate Competency
Students must earn a "competency" score (a minimum of 684) on the Algebra I and English II end-of-course exams. Students who do not earn a competency score after two attempts can use these alternate ways to demonstrate competency.
Alternate options
- Demonstrate two career-focused activities, including at least one foundational skill.
- Options for Foundational Skills
- Earn a cumulative score of proficient or higher on three or more WebXams in a single career pathway.
- Earn a 12-point industry credential.
- Successfully complete a pre-apprenticeship program or be accepted into an approved apprenticeship program that is registered with the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council.
- Options for Supporting Skills
- Work-based learning
- Earn the required score on the WorkKeys Exam
- Earn the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal
- Options for Foundational Skills
- Enlist in the military — show evidence that you have signed a contract to enter a branch of the U.S. Armed Services upon graduation.
- Earn credit for one college-level math or college-level English course through Ohio's free College Credit Plus program.
- Obtain a remediation-free score in the math or English subject areas on the ACT or SAT. To demonstrate competency in English II, a student must be remediation-free in both English and reading on the ACT.
Excusal from Demonstrating Competency
Students with individualized education programs who are excused from the consequences of end-of-course tests according to Ohio Revised Code 3313.61(L) are eligible to be excused from the requirement to demonstrate competency if their IEP specifically exempts the student from the competency requirements and they meet the following criteria:
-
Students must test, receive remediation and retest in the subject area(s) in which they did not meet the competency score to be excused from consequences of the English Language Arts II and/or Algebra I/Math I assessments or math and/or English Language Arts Alternate Assessment.
-
Students with an excusal from the consequences of assessments are excused from demonstrating competency but still must earn at least two seals, one of which must be a state-defined seal. Students excused from the consequences of assessments do not inherently earn the Citizenship and Science seals.
Third: Show Readiness
Students must earn a minimum of two diploma seals. At least one diploma seal must be a state seal.
| Diploma Seal | Type | How to Earn the Seal |
|---|---|---|
| OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal | State | Meet the requirements and criteria established for the readiness seal including demonstration of work-readiness and professional competencies. Rubric based. |
| Industry-Recognized Credential Seal | State |
|
| College-Ready Seal | State | Earn remediation-free scores on the ACT or SAT. Visit the Ohio Department of Education's website to see current remediation-free scores. |
| Military Enlistment Seal | State | Provide evidence that a student has enlisted in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; or participate in an approved JROTC program. |
| Citizenship Seal | State |
|
| Science Seal | State |
|
| Honors Diploma Seal | State | Earn one of six Honors Diplomas outlined below:
|
| Seal of Biliteracy | State | Meet the requirements and criteria, including proficiency requirements on assessments in a world language and English. |
| Technology Seal | State |
|
| Community Service Seal | Local | A student may earn a Community Service Seal by completing a minimum of sixty (60) hours of community service during high school in a high-quality community service experience. |
| Fine and Performing Arts Seal | Local | A student may earn a Fine / Performing Arts Seal by earning at least two (2) credits of approved fine arts program electives in either visual or performing arts during high school. |
| Student Engagement Seal | Local | A student may earn a Student Engagement Seal by participating in at least two (2) extracurricular activities during high school. Eligible activities include participation in an athletic program (one sports season); recognized school club (must complete at least 30 hours of club participation); or performance/production (one full production). In order for participation to count toward earning the seal, students must participate in the entire scheduled season of the activity. |
Transfer Students: Information about transfer students located near the bottom of this webpage.
Alternate Assessment: At its June 2022 meeting, the State Board of Education approved scores for students taking Ohio’s Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities related to long-term graduation requirements. Students taking this assessment will need to earn a “Basic” score or higher to demonstrate competency on mathematics and English language arts assessments. Students must earn the “Basic” score or higher on social studies and science assessments to earn the Citizenship and Science Seals.
Class of 2029 and Beyond Requirements in Detail
First: Fulfill Course Requirements
Students will satisfy Ohio's curriculum requirements and any additional requirements of the Upper Arlington Schools. Students will complete a minimum of 21 credits, with specific units required in each content area.
|
Content Area |
Number of credits required |
|---|---|
|
English Language Arts |
4 credits |
|
Mathematics |
4 credits Must include Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II |
| Science | 3 credits Must include 1 credit each of Life Science and Physical Science |
| Social Studies | 3 credits Must include 1 credit each of: American History; Politics, Economics & Government; and Global History |
| Financial Literacy | 0.5 credit Starting with the Class of 2026, a Financial Literacy class will be required by the State of Ohio. |
| Global Languages, Ed Tech, Industrial Technology, or Business | 2 credits |
| Art: Visual Art, Music or Theater | 1 credit |
| Health | 0.5 credit |
| Physical Education (or PE Waiver) | 0.5 credit |
| Capstone IB Diploma Extended Essay |
0.5 credit 0 credit Must include one of the above, completed by the end of senior year |
| Electives |
2 credits |
| Online Course | 0.5 credit |
Second: Demonstrate Competency
Students must earn a "competency" score (a minimum of 684) on the Algebra I and English II end-of-course exams. Students who do not earn a competency score after two attempts can use these alternate ways to demonstrate competency.
Alternate options
- Demonstrate two career-focused activities, including at least one foundational skill.
- Options for Foundational Skills
- Earn a cumulative score of proficient or higher on three or more WebXams in a single career pathway.
- Earn a 12-point industry credential.
- Successfully complete a pre-apprenticeship program or be accepted into an approved apprenticeship program that is registered with the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council.
- Options for Supporting Skills
- Work-based learning
- Earn the required score on the WorkKeys Exam
- Earn the Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal
- Options for Foundational Skills
- Enlist in the military — show evidence that you have signed a contract to enter a branch of the U.S. Armed Services upon graduation.
- Earn credit for one college-level math or college-level English course through Ohio's free College Credit Plus program.
- Obtain a remediation-free score in the math or English subject areas on the ACT or SAT. To demonstrate competency in English II, a student must be remediation-free in both English and reading on the ACT.
Excusal from Demonstrating Competency
Students with individualized education programs who are excused from the consequences of end-of-course tests according to Ohio Revised Code 3313.61(L) are eligible to be excused from the requirement to demonstrate competency if their IEP specifically exempts the student from the competency requirements and they meet the following criteria:
-
Students must test, receive remediation and retest in the subject area(s) in which they did not meet the competency score to be excused from consequences of the English Language Arts II and/or Algebra I/Math I assessments or math and/or English Language Arts Alternate Assessment.
-
Students with an excusal from the consequences of assessments are excused from demonstrating competency but still must earn at least two seals, one of which must be a state-defined seal. Students excused from the consequences of assessments do not inherently earn the Citizenship and Science seals.
Third: Show Readiness
Students must earn a minimum of two diploma seals. At least one diploma seal must be a state seal.
| Diploma Seal | Type | How to Earn the Seal |
|---|---|---|
| OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal | State | Meet the requirements and criteria established for the readiness seal including demonstration of work-readiness and professional competencies. Rubric based. |
| Industry-Recognized Credential Seal | State |
|
| College-Ready Seal | State | Earn remediation-free scores on the ACT or SAT. Visit the Ohio Department of Education's website to see current remediation-free scores. |
| Military Enlistment Seal | State | Provide evidence that a student has enlisted in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces; or participate in an approved JROTC program. |
| Citizenship Seal | State |
|
| Science Seal | State |
|
| Honors Diploma Seal | State | Earn one of six Honors Diplomas outlined below:
|
| Seal of Biliteracy | State | Meet the requirements and criteria, including proficiency requirements on assessments in a world language and English. |
| Technology Seal | State |
|
| Community Service Seal | Local | A student may earn a Community Service Seal by completing a minimum of sixty (60) hours of community service during high school in a high-quality community service experience. |
| Fine and Performing Arts Seal | Local | A student may earn a Fine / Performing Arts Seal by earning at least two (2) credits of approved fine arts program electives in either visual or performing arts during high school. |
| Student Engagement Seal | Local | A student may earn a Student Engagement Seal by participating in at least two (2) extracurricular activities during high school. Eligible activities include participation in an athletic program (one sports season); recognized school club (must complete at least 30 hours of club participation); or performance/production (one full production). In order for participation to count toward earning the seal, students must participate in the entire scheduled season of the activity. |
Transfer Students: Information about transfer students located near the bottom of this webpage.
Alternate Assessment: At its June 2022 meeting, the State Board of Education approved scores for students taking Ohio’s Alternate Assessment for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities related to long-term graduation requirements. Students taking this assessment will need to earn a “Basic” score or higher to demonstrate competency on mathematics and English language arts assessments. Students must earn the “Basic” score or higher on social studies and science assessments to earn the Citizenship and Science Seals.
Online Course Requirement for Class of 2029 and Beyond
As part of Upper Arlington Schools’ commitment to providing diverse learning opportunities, we offer a variety of online courses for students. Starting with the class of 2029, students are required to complete one online course as part of their graduation requirements. For more details on course offerings students can visit the Online Courses page in the Program of Studies.