Graduation Requirements

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For a complete list of DPS Graduation options, please visit College & Career.

DPS Graduation Requirements (class of 2021 and beyond)

Starting with the Class of 2021, students must complete three key requirements to earn a diploma.

  • Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) – their plan for their future – or completion of the goals outlined in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

  • 24 units of course credit in required areas shown below.

  • Competency demonstrations in English and math through completion of one or more of the items on the competency menu below.

  1. Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)

    • ICAP is a multi-year process that guides students and families in the exploration of career, academic and post-secondary opportunities. With the support of adults, students develop the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and skills to create their own meaningful and powerful pathways to be career and college ready. The details and requirements regarding ICAPs can be found in DPS Policy IHBK, Regulation IHBK-R and the DPS High schools Procedures Guide.Per policy IKF, students are required to have a complete and meaningful ICAP to earn their diplomas. A complete and meaningful ICAP means that a student has met all learning objectives and completed each question on the My ICAP survey in Naviance. Objectives missed by transfer students should be made up to ensure all students benefit from a complete ICAP process.

  2. Successful completion of 24 units of credit

    • Prescribed categories are listed below, including and in addition to successful completion of any school or program-specific requirements which have been approved by the District). A Unit of Credit is defined as the amount of credit earned toward graduation following demonstration of district identified competencies. Successful completion is defined as a passing grade or score.

    • Achievement in the Colorado Academic Standards as demonstrated by mastery of appropriate grade-level courses or competencies;
      Minimum Requirements for a High School Diploma:

    • Demonstration of College and Career Readiness in English and Math

      • In order to graduate from DPS, every student will demonstrate competency in English and math by completing one or more items in the competency menu below.

Department

Unit

English

4 units

Math

4 units

Science

3 units

Social Studies

3 units(to include .5 unit of Civics)

Physical Education

1 unit

Arts or eligible CTE

1 unit

Approved Electives

8 unit

  1. Demonstration of College and Career Readiness in English and Math

    • In order to graduate from DPS, every student will demonstrate competency in English and math by completing one or more items in the competency menu below.

Competency Menu Options

Competency Option

English Minimum Score

Math Minimum Score

Accuplacer

95 (Sentence Skills)

61 (Elementary Algebra)

American College Testing (ACT)

18

19

ACT WorkKeys – National Career Readiness Certificate

Bronze or higher

Bronze or higher

Advanced Placement (AP)

3

3

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

31

31

Concurrent Enrollment (CE)

C- or higher in eligible course

C- or higher in eligible course

District Capstone

District approved

District approved

Industry Certificate

District approved

District approved

International Baccalaureate (IB)

4

4

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

470

500

Standards-based assessment

Statewide scoring criteria

Statewide scoring criteria

This menu is subject to change and revision from the state. When changes are made, the district will update its policy to ensure adherence to the state’s guidelines.

Enrollment Requirements and Application Process

Students who requesting to attend Respect Academy must:

  • be at least 17 years of age

  • have a minimum of 140 credits.

  • have a recent transcript (from all schools attended)

  • recent immunization record

  • complete the required DPS registration packet

  • provide proof of age (birth certificate)

  • complete a Respect Academy application form

  • complete an interview process with the principal

  • $20 registration fee

Prospective students should arrange time to drop off the DPS enrollment packet and Respect application prior to the beginning of the quarter. Students and guardians are also encouraged to attend one of the Open House dates. Please contact the Respect main office if you have any questions at 720-423-5228.