In order to graduate from Orcutt Academy High School, students must complete the following requirements: A) 240 total credits divided between Subject requirements and Electives, and a minimum of 40 hours of community service. All credits must be earned from an institution that is accredited. Graduation requirements are subject to change pending School Board decisions relating to the school’s schedule and budget.
Credits by Grade Level The following list represents: A) the recommended number of credits students should have completed by the time they enter each respective school year, and B) the number of credits which reflect when a student would be considered deficient in credits. Students who are credit-deficient and in jeopardy of not graduating will be notified by mail in the summer preceding each school year.
Grade Level Recommended credits Deficient when credits equal 10 63 62 or less 11 126 125 or less 12 189 176 or less While students can make up a deficiency in credits, it becomes increasingly difficult to do so the farther behind they get. In order not to jeopardize graduation, students should stay as close as possible to the recommended credit totals listed above. (Remember: no more than 63 credits can be earned in one academic year).
GPA The chart below displays the grading system for unweighted courses and weighted courses (Honors, AP, Concurrent Enrollment and College Now! ). Unweighted courses are on a traditional 4.0 grade point average. Honors, AP and College Courses are graded on a weighted 5.0 scale.
Awards Ceremony We have an Awards Assembly during the second semester to honors students with a GPA of a 3.5 or above from fall and past spring. Students in 11th and 12th grade with a GPA above 3.8 will letter and receive patches and pins. Students who get an exceptional score on the SAT and/or ACT can also earn a patch.
Graduation Honors Below is a list of honors students can receive to be recognized at the graduation ceremony. HONORED SCHOLAR / Light Blue cord Seniors receiving an honored scholar cord have maintained a 9 – 12 weighted cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher, have earned 240 credits or more, and completed the University of California A – G requirements for college admission.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE / Silver cord Seniors receiving an academic excellence award have maintained a 9 – 12 weighted cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and have earned 240 credits or more.
NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY / White stole or pin National Honors Society student membership is based upon a student's outstanding performance in the areas of: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. Students must be invited to join based on a non-weighted cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or higher.
CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP FEDERATION / Gold cord CSF Life Members, also called, “Seal-bearers’ are those students who have maintained CSF membership for four semesters from their sophomore to senior year, with at least one membership during the senior year. Membership is determined largely by students’ grades in rigorous, college-prep, honors, and advanced placement classes.
ASB / STUDENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Students designated have served as student leaders in the ASB program during their senior year.
FIRST ROBOTICS / Red, White, and Blue Cord This award recognizes students on FIRST 3512 Spartatroniks that have at least two years of distinguished service and have maintained a 3.0 weighted GPA over their high school career.
INTERACT / Blue and Gold Cord Students designated have been active members for at least 2 years and have participated in at least 2 projects per semester.
GOLDEN STATE SEAL MERIT DIPLOMA Students designated have earned a scale of 370 or above in six qualifying California Standards Tests (CST).
STATE SEAL OF BILITERACY This program recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more language in addition to English.