Junipero Serra High School

Graduation Requirements

A student of Junipero Serra High School must meet the following requirements for graduation.

Student must complete a minimum of 240 units. Each subject completed with a passing grade is equivalent to 5 units a semester.
Student must take one English and one Religion class each semester.
Any student who has not received credit for a semester must make up the proper credit in summer school before returning the following September. P.E. or Driver's Training cannot be used to make up academic "F's".
Student must complete a SAT preparation course at own expense before October of senior year. Course must be on Vice Principal's list of approved courses or must be cleared beforehand through the Vice Principal. A signed and stamped certificate of completion must be given to the Vice Principal.
Each student must complete Christian Service hours (see appendix) under the direction of the Campus Ministry/Christian Service director and submit a Christian Service Reflection Paper by the first Friday of May.
Mini-Electives are graded on a pass/fail basis and must be passed to receive credit.

A. UNITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

Religion	4 years	40 units
English	4 years	40 units
Mathematics	3 years	30 units
Social Studies	3 years	30 units
Science	2 years	20 units
Foreign Language	2 years	20 units
P.E./Health	1 year	10 units
Fine Arts	1 year	10 units
Computer Literacy	1 semester	5 units
Electives	3 years	35 units

240 units

NOTE: Participation in the graduation ceremony and receipt of a diploma are privileges, not rights. The school reserves the right to deny participation in graduation and to deny a diploma. Any student subject to such penalties will be granted a transcript, in accordance with the requirements of California law.

Any student who is missing one class (five credits) of required course work at the time of graduation, will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony, but will not receive a diploma until documentation is received that the appropriate class has been successfully completed. This class must be pre approved by the junior/senior counselor or the vice-principal.

Any student who is missing two or more classes (ten credits) of required course work will not be allowed to participate in the Graduation Ceremony, the Baccalaureate Mass, or rehearsals.

B. VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN SELECTION PROCESS

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are chosen each year from the highest ranked students in the Senior class. Preliminary consideration is given to academic ability and the rigor of classes taken. A secondary consideration, in the case where academic ability is very similar among students, is the degree of involvement in extra-curricular activities and the attitude of the student toward school and learning. The Principal's Administrative Council will select them.

C. GRADUATION WITH HONORS:

Summa Cum Laude:	Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.80 to 4.00 over the first 15 quarters
Magna Cum Laude:	Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.60 to 3.79 over the first 15 quarters
Cum Laude:	Students maintain an academic grade point average of 3.40 to 3.59 over the first 15 quarters

D. HONOR ROLL:

Honor Roll status is based on the previous semester's grades. Full-time students earning a 4.0 GPA are placed on the Principal's Honor Roll. Full-time students earning between 3.50 and 3.99 GPA are placed on the Serra Honor Roll.

E. COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRANCE -- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
4 years college prep English.
3 years Mathematics (including Algebra II)
2 years of the same Foreign Language (three recommended)
2 years of Lab Science (three recommended)
1 year of World History
1 year of U.S. History (or 1 sem. U.S. Hist., 1 sem. U.S. Govt.)
1 year of Visual and Performing Arts
3 years of U.C. approved electives

THINGS TO KNOW:

UC and all other SELECTIVE colleges (Harvard, Stanford, Notre Dame, etc.) require the most rigorous course sequence possible, i.e. 4 years Math, 4 years science, 3 years language, AP and Honors courses, etc.
Electives include all courses beyond the basics, e.g. Physics, Spanish III, Econ., Psychology. Not all electives are U.C. approved. Check with the counselor for details.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRANCE -- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
4 years college prep English
3 years Mathematics (to Algebra II)
2 years of the same Foreign Language
1 year Lab Science
1 year of US History (or 1 sem. U.S. Hist., 1 sem. U.S. Govt.)
1 year of Visual and Performing Arts -- Art, Music, Drama, Dance
3 years of college prep electives

THINGS TO KNOW:

SAT I or ACT test (see counselor for scores required)
GPA grades 10-12, 11th and 12th grades weighted for honors
Cal. State requirements meet most other state college requirements but there are differences. Check with the school counselor for specific requirements for specific schools.
Most electives meet Cal. State requirements but there are exceptions. Check with the counselor before completing your schedule for Junior year.

PRIVATE COLLEGES / OUT OF STATE COLLEGES
These vary in requirements; it is best to try to match UC requirements! Private colleges also consider test scores, essays, activities, and also look at recommendations from teachers and others.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF CALIFORNIA
Requirements: High School Diploma (not needed after age 18). Community colleges now have transfers and matriculation services to help all students reach their goal of transfer to 4 year college or AA degree.

Please be sure to see the counselor if you have any questions regarding college admission requirements!
Senior Counselor reserves the right to deny writing a recommendation for any student who does not meet the minimum requirements for admission into the university or college.