Early Completion of Graduation Credits Guidelines

Requirements

A student will be eligible for early completion of graduation credits if he/she meets the following requirements:

1. Attend at least seven semesters (three and one-half school years) of secondary school

 in grades 9-12,

2. Pass all five (5) parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam (AHSGE) by the beginning of their senior year,
3. Complete all graduation requirements as outlined by the policy of the Autauga County Board of Education, and
4. Declare a specific objective for early completion, such as early college or vocational school admission or a specific job placement.

 
Early Completion means that a student is no longer a student in Autauga County; however, he/she may attend the graduation ceremony for that school year.  If a student is a candidate for early graduation, he/she will not be able to participate in any other activities (e.g. baseball, softball, wrestling, prom, etc).

Students may submit an application for Early Completion upon the completion of their sophomore year, but no later than the beginning of their senior year.  All course requirements must be met by December 31st of the student’s senior year, and 28 credits must have been earned.

A student that fails any academic course will not be eligible for early graduation.  Once a student is enrolled in classes the second semester of the student’s senior year, no classes will be dropped.  The student must complete the second semester in order to receive credit and participate in commencement exercises for that school year. 

 If a student chooses early completion, they will not be considered for valedictorian or salutatorian based on the Autauga County Board policy which states that a student considered for valedictorian/salutatorian must remain in school for one full senior year. 

~Process for Applying

Any interested student in grades 10-12 must complete an application for early completion.  Applications will be available in the counselors’ offices.  The application must be completed and signed by the following: student, parent/legal guardian of the student, counselor, and administrator.  Applicants will be evaluated in a prompt manner. 

Students applying for early high school completion shall be evaluated on their past academic performance, measures of academic achievement based on state academic content standards, and successful completion of state mandated graduation requirements.  If approved for early completion, students will receive written notification from the principal.  A student granted early completion status will meet with his/her counselor to design a plan that would allow the student to complete high school graduation requirements on an accelerated basis and shall communicate with his/her counselor at regular intervals until his/her class graduates. 

                                                            Board Approved 4/29/10