Graduation Requirements

John Adams Academy graduation requirements meet or exceed the California graduation requirements, and University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) requirements for freshman admission.  The chart below of graduation requirements demonstrates the Academy graduation requirements in comparison to current California, UC and CSU requirements as an example of the Academy meeting or exceeding said requirements.  The Academy may amend graduation requirements during the term of the charter based on changes in California, UC or CSU requirements as well as the Academy’s identification of scholar or program need. Parents will be informed about the transferability of courses to other public high schools and the eligibility of courses to meet college entrance requirements via methods including, but not limited to, the Family/Scholar Handbook, family orientations, parent/school conferences, Academy website and information available at the main office.

In the event that changes are made that increase the requirements for graduation, any scholar currently enrolled in high school would be subject to the previous requirements as advertised when they enrolled.  The more stringent requirements would apply to any scholars newly enrolling in a high school grade level following the change.

Scholars graduating from John Adams Academy will complete a minimum of 240 credit hours. All scholars must complete each of the following Capstone Requirements with a passing grade (C- or higher) to be eligible for graduation:

• Thesis
• Speech
• Project

A grade of C- or higher must be earned for satisfactory completion of all academic courses. Scholars who earn a grade of D+ or lower will be required to repeat the course to earn credit. Scholars who have been absent for any reason from 10% or more of the class during the time for which they were enrolled are deemed chronic absentees (see attendance policy above). In the case of chronic absenteeism, scholars absent for reasons deemed “unexcused” may be precluded from receiving credit for assignments and tests missed during the unexcused absence, and/or may not receive credit for the course if tracked under period attendance.

Please note:  Scholars must be enrolled as full day students their senior year at John Adams Academy unless excused by the Headmaster and/or relevant Dean for reasons such as, but not limited to, classes taken at a local college, a work release with a permit or as part of an internship approved by the Academy, etc.

[1] New scholars can meet one of these requirements with the submission of transferred World History/ Geography units.

^[2] The Algebra 1 and/or Geometry requirement may be met by successfully completing coursework that meets or exceeds the rigor of the content standards of Algebra 1 and/or Geometry.  Courses meeting the Algebra 1 and/or Geometry requirement may be transferred from middle school if course is A-G approved or it can be demonstrated that the course content qualifies as high school level content; however, scholars must still complete a minimum of 30 Units of mathematics in High School.

^[3] Two years of language may be transferred from middle school if courses are A-G approved.

^[4] For purpose of satisfying the minimum course requirement, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in foreign language.

^[5] Must be chosen from approved academic courses in history, English, advance mathematics, lab science, foreign language, social science, or fine arts.