IKF - Graduation Requirements IKF - Graduation RequirementsIn pursuit of its mission to ensure that all students reach their learning potential and are prepared for postsecondary and career opportunities, the Board of Education has established the following graduation requirements for students entering the ninth grade in the 2025-26 school year and each ninth grade class thereafter.
To receive a high school diploma from the district, Students must meet or exceed district academic standards and measures required by this policy. Students with disabilities and students involved in the criminal justice system must be provided access to all graduation pathways provided by this policy and must have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma or equivalent from the district.
College and Career Readiness
The Colorado State Board of Education has adopted state graduation guidelines that identify college and career readiness measures in English (Reading, Writing, and Communicating) and Math (Mathematics). The Board has selected its own measures from these state graduation guidelines.
Students must complete at least one English measure and one Math measure and meet or exceed the measure's corresponding cut score or criteria to demonstrate college and career readiness in English and Math. The Board's approved measures and cut scores are outlined in this policy's accompanying exhibit.
Exceptions to the Board's Required Measures and Cut Scores/Criteria
If a student has demonstrated college and career readiness by completing an assessment or other measure that is not included in this policy's accompanying exhibit but is included in the state graduation guidelines, the principal or principal's designee may determine that such assessment or other measure is acceptable and meets the district's graduation requirements.
Units of credit needed
Students must earn a minimum of 26 units of credits and be enrolled as a full time student to be considered eligible to receive a diploma from Bayfield High School. All Bayfield High School Students will have a schedule that includes seven courses Freshman-Senior year in order to attain the necessary credits. Credits must meet the following minimum requirements:
A unit of credit is defined as the amount of credit given for the successful completion of 120 clock hours of instruction. Successful completion means that the student obtained a passing grade for the course.
Courses Required for Graduation
Graduation requirements for classes must include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Minimum Number of Credits - Class of 2027 and beyond
English 4
Math 3
Science 3
Additional Math or Science 1
Social Studies 4
Physical Education 1
CTE/Fine Arts 2
Electives 8
Total 26
1. Minimum Number of Credits - Class of 2025 - 2026
English 4
Math 3*
Science 3
Additional Math or Science 1
Social Studies 3**
Physical Education 1
Fine Arts 1
CTE 1***
Electives 8
Academy 2
Total 27
*Recommended up to Algebra II, or equivalent/higher, to meet Career and College Benchmark Standards
**Must include successful completion of either Economics or Financial Literacy and 1.0 credit of US History or World History and 1.0 credits of Civics/American Government
***Due to State requirements, CTE credit must be completed within the same program. All other CTE credits will be applied towards elective credit.
2. Students must successfully complete Academy (Pass/Fail grading criteria) along with an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). Students will follow a course of study or pathway based on their ICAP.
3. Involvement in Extra-Curricular Activities: Students must be involved in at least 2 extracurricular activities throughout High School. Evidence of completion shall be a letter from an instructor, supervisor or coach.
• School Based
• Business/Employment (Work Release Internship)
• Service Learning Project/Community Service
4. Successful completion of one or more of the statewide graduation recommendations outlined in Policy IKF-E - Graduation Requirements (Exhibit: Chart of Minimum Scores Required for Graduation)
Student Progress Reports
Report cards will be distributed at the end of each semester. Academic progress reports will be distributed to students around the 9th week of each semester for students with D or F grades only. Teachers will contact parents/guardians by phone or in writing as needed. Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact teachers on a regular basis to monitor student progress. Grades can be monitored daily using the district web site: http://powerschool.bayfield.k12.co.us
Correspondence courses, alternative education or summer school credit
Credit may be earned through satisfactory completion of courses offered by accredited North Central Association schools. A list of approved courses and schools shall be available in the counselor's office. Students who take correspondence courses must have prior approval of the counselor and Principal. The courses must satisfy the graduation requirements of Bayfield High School. In addition:
1. Courses must be completed within the semester they are taken unless other arrangements are made with the Principal.
2. Students are responsible for the cost of the courses plus completing the assignments in a timely manner.
3. High school staff must supervise all tests.
4. Seniors must have course work completed and final grades on file in the counselor's office by the same deadline as other seniors if the course is to be counted towards graduation.
Early graduation
The Board of Education believes that most students benefit from four years of high school experience and are encouraged not to graduate early. However, in some cases, students are ready for postsecondary education or other opportunities prior to completing four years of high school. Therefore, the superintendent or designee may grant permission to students wishing to graduate early, provided the student has met all district graduation requirements in accordance with this policy and its accompanying exhibit.
Seniors may graduate at the end of seven semesters by petitioning the administration and the Board of Education if a minimum of 28 units of credit are earned for the class of 2025 - 2026 and 27 credits for the class of 2027 and beyond. All other graduation requirements must be met.
Graduates must meet the following conditions by the end of seven semesters:
1. The Principal must be notified prior to October 1 of the student's intent to graduate early.
2. A conference with the student, parent/guardian and Principal must be held prior to November 1.
3. All graduation requirements must be satisfactorily completed by the end of the first semester of the senior year.
Honors diploma
In addition to the standard diploma requirements, the following classes are mandatory:
- Honors English 3, AP English Literature or Guaranteed Transfer Concurrent Enrollment course(s) in literature or composition
- Four credits of math beginning with Math I or higher, including Guaranteed Transfer Concurrent Enrollment
- Four credits in science including Guaranteed Transfer Concurrent Enrollment
- One Foreign language Credit
- Other credits: 2 Fine Arts or CTE credits
- A minimum of 20 hours of community service in each of the junior and senior years
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Total units of credit should equal 28 for the class of 2025 - 2026 and 27 for the class of 2027 and beyond.
* Principal or Designee has the authority to authorize specific course requirements of the Honors Diploma to allow for students to pursue specific pathways in the arts when scheduling conflicts arise.
Credit from Other Institutions and Home-Based Programs
Credits for students who have transferred from other high schools will be accepted toward graduation. All students entering from outside the district must meet the district graduation requirements. The Principal shall determine whether credit toward graduation requirements shall be granted for courses taken outside the district. Students, who are currently enrolled in the district and wish to obtain credit from outside institutions, or through "on-line" programs, must have prior approval from the Principal.
The district shall accept transcripts from a home-based educational program. In order to determine whether the courses and grades earned are consistent with district requirements and district academic standards, the district shall require submission of the student's work or other proof of academic performance for each course for which credit toward graduation is sought. In addition, the district may administer testing to the student to verify the accuracy of the student's transcripts. The district may reject any transcripts that cannot be verified through such testing.
In accordance with applicable state law, college courses completed pursuant to the student's participation in a "dropout recovery program" must count as credit toward completion of the district's credit requirements.
Class Rankings and Grade Point Averages
Graduating seniors shall be ranked within the graduating class upon the basis of grade-point averages for all four-years.
Grades for regular classes will be given the following values: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1.
Grades for Advanced Placement/Concurrent Enrollment classes will be given the following values: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2.
Weighted grades will not be accepted from transferring schools unless the equivalent course is offered at Bayfield High School for a weighted grade.
The student with the highest class rank (grade point average) will be valedictorian. When more than one student holds the numerical one rank, all students holding the rank will be declared co-valedictorians. A student must have attended Bayfield High School for the last four consecutive semesters in order to be eligible for these honors. These honors will be determined at the end of the seventh semester.
Pass/fail grades for transfer students shall not be counted in determining class rank or grade point averages. Students entering from home-based education programs must submit student work or other proof of academic performance for each course for which credit toward class ranking or grade point average is sought.
Independent Study
Work experience/internship and experienced-based programs may be taken for high school credit. Students must be enrolled in an approved CTE program pathway, or registered as Internship students in order to receive high school credit. The maximum number of credits available per year will be dependent upon the type of program a student is enrolled in. Students shall submit a request for approval that includes a summary of the educational objectives to be achieved and monitored by a faculty member.
Student Course Loads
The course load for high school students shall be a minimum of 7 credits per school year. Students may earn credits to satisfy this requirement through Early College programming and Work Release/Internship. All athletes need to take classes that are required by CHSAA for athletic participation and satisfy graduation requirements.
Years of Attendance
The Board of Education believes that most students benefit from four years of high school experience and are encouraged not to graduate early. However, in some cases, students need the challenge provided by post-secondary education or other opportunities at an earlier age. Therefore, the Principal may grant permission to students wishing to graduate early, provided the student has met all district graduation requirements. See policy IKF-R.
Adopted: May 1991
Revised: August 1999
Revised and recoded: June 29, 2010
Revised: October 14, 2014
Revised: May 12, 2015
Revised: February 23, 2016
Revised: February 23, 2018
Revised: June 28, 2022
Revised: April 25, 2023
Revised: November 12, 2024
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-1-104 (teaching history, culture and civil government)
C.R.S. 22-1-104.7 (2)(a) (requirement to incorporate Holocaust and Genocide studies standards into existing course required for graduation)
C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(kk) (board to establish graduation requirements applicable to students enrolling in 9th grade beginning in the 2012-13 school year)
C.R.S. 22-32-132 (discretion to award diploma to honorably discharged veterans)
C.R.S. 22-33-104.5 (home-based education law)
C.R.S. 22-35-101 et seq. (Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act)
C.R.S. 22-108-103 et seq. (justice-engaged student's bill of rights)
CROSS REFS.: AE, Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment
AEA, Standards Based Education
IHBG, Home Schooling
IHCDA, Postsecondary Options/Concurrent Enrollment
IK, Academic Achievement