The Class of 2023 and beyond must meet requirements in the areas of Credits, Competency, and Readiness.
CREDITS:
Total credits required = 22
English 4 credits
Science 3 credits *must include 1 physical, 1 biological, and 1 advanced credit
Mathematics 4 credits *must include 1 unit of algebra II or equivalent
Social Studies 4 credits *3 credits for EHOVE students
Physical Education ½ credit *Phys. Ed. classes are worth 1/4 credit
Health ½ credit
Electives 6 credit
Other Requirements:
Economics/Financial Literacy
Fine Arts: minimum 1 credit
COMPETENCY:
Earn a score of 684 on both English II and Algebra I State of Ohio End-of-Course Exams
- If a passing score is not met after retesting, students will have four alternative methods to reach competency.
1. Demonstrate two career-focused activities (as defined by ODE)
2. Enlist in the Military
3. Earn college credit for college level math or English through CCP
4. Obtain a remediation-free score in the math or English subject areas on the ACT or SAT. To demonstrate competency in English II, a student must be remediation-free in BOTH English and reading on the ACT.
READINESS:
Students must earn two seals (one must be Ohio-designed)
Ohio Designed
-Military Enlistment - show evidence of enlisting with brand of armed forces upon graduation
-Technology Seal - "B" or higher in appropriate CCP course or earn one credit of approved NHS courses (Robotics, Makerspace, Engineering)
-Industry Recognized Credential Seal - Earn 12 point credential (or group of credentials totaling 12 points in same career pathway)
-College Ready Seal - Earn remediation free scores on ACT or SAT
-OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal - Includes demonstration of work readiness and professional competencies
-State Seal of Biliteracy - meet requirements & criteria, including proficiency requirements on assessments in a world language and English
-Honors Diploma Seal - Earn honors diploma as outlined by ODE
-Science Seal - Earn proficient or higher on Biology End-of-Course or earn "B" or higher in appropriate CCP course. Alternatively students may earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in an advanced science course offered by the high school.
-Citizenship Seal - Earn proficient or higher on BOTH American History and American Government End-of-Course exams or Earn "B" or higher in appropriate CCP courses. Students may alternatively earn a final course grade that is equivalent to a “B” or higher in an American History course and an American Government course offered by the student’s high school.
Locally Designed
-Community Service - Document 120 community service hours and complete a reflection paper or presentation at the end of the experience (community service must be pre-approved by counselor)
-Student Engagement Seal - Complete three season competitive/performance-based activity. Approved activities include: athletics, Marching Band(majorettes/EHOVE students), Pep Band, Solo and Ensemble, Select Choir Performances, Cheer, Musical, Esports, NERD Nation, Envirothon, Student Council, Academic Challenge (Activity requirements will be determined and reported by the relevant advisor)
-Fine/Performing Arts - Earn two full credits of fine arts in grades 9-12.
EHOVE RequirementsLocated in Norwalk High School Program of Studies
www.ehove.net
Honors Diploma Guidelines for the Class of '25The student who completes the high school Academic Pathway must meet at least seven of the following eight criteria:
1. Earn four units of English;
2. Earn at least four units of mathematics which shall include algebra I, algebra II, geometry and another higher level course, or a four-year sequence of courses which contains equivalent content
3. Earn at least four units of science including two units of an advanced science
4. Earn four units of social studies;
5. Earn three units of world languages (must include no less than two units for which credit is sought), i.e., three units of one world language or two units of two different languages;
6. Earn one unit of fine arts;
7. Maintain an overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale up to the last grading period of the senior year; or
8. Obtain a composite score of 27 on the American college testing services' ACT assessment (excluding the optional writing test) or a combined score of 1210 on the College Board's SAT verbal and mathematics sections (excluding the required writing section).
The student who completes an intensive Career-Technical Education Pathway must meet at least seven of the following eight criteria:
1. Earn four units of English;
2. Earn at least four units of mathematics which shall include algebra I, algebra II, geometry and another higher level course, or a four-year sequence of courses which contains equivalent content
3. Earn at least four units of science, including two advanced sciences;
4. Earn four units of social studies;
5. Earn four units in a career-technical education program that leads to an industry-recognized credential, results in an apprenticeship or is part of an articulated career pathway, which can lead to post secondary credit. If the student's program design does not provide for any of these outcomes, then the student must achieve the proficiency benchmark established for the applicable Ohio career-technical competency assessment or the equivalent;
6. Achieve the proficiency benchmark established for the Ohio Career-Technical Competency Assessment (available at http://www.webxam.org/info_docs.asp, with additional content available by clicking here) or equivalent assessment aligned with state-approved and industry validated technical standards;
7. Maintain an overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale up to the last grading period of the senior year; or
8. Obtain a composite score of 27 on the American College Testing service's ACT assessment (excluding the optional writing test) or a combined score of 1210 on the College Board's SAT verbal and mathematics sections (excluding the score obtained on the required writing section).
Honors Diplomas for the Class of '26 and Beyond (can be used by the Class of '25) Ohio Department of Education Honors Diplomas
Students must meet all but one criteria to earn their specific honors diploma. Any one of the shaded items may be replaced by an option listed below under Student Strength Demonstration
Academic Honors Diploma
Math | Fourth math > Algebra 2 |
Science | 4 credits of Science |
Social Studies | 4 credits of Social Studies |
World Languages | 3 credits of one language, or 2 credits of two languages |
GPA | 3.5 on a 4.0 unweighted scale |
ACT/SAT | Minimum of 27 on ACT or 1280 on SAT |
Seal Requirement | Earn 2 additional diploma seals, not including Honors Diploma seal |
Experiential Learning | Field Experience, OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal*, Portfolio, or Work-Based Learning |
STEM Honors Diploma
Math | Fourth math > Algebra 2 |
Science | 1 additional Advanced Science |
Elective | 2 additional credits of STEM |
World Languages | 3 credits of one language, or 2 credits of two languages |
GPA | 3.5 on a 4.0 unweighted scale |
ACT/SAT | Minimum of 27 on ACT or 1280 on SAT |
Industry-Recognized Credential Seal or Fine Arts Seal | Meet requirements to earn the Industry-Recognized Credential Seal or Fine Arts Seal** still under review |
Experiential Learning | Field Experience, OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal*, Portfolio, or Work-Based Learning |
Arts Honors Diploma
Math | Fourth math > Algebra 2 |
Fine Arts | 4 credits |
Electives | 2 credits of Fine Arts (may overlap with general four credits) |
World Languages | 3 credits of one language, or 2 credits of two languages |
GPA | 3.5 on a 4.0 unweighted scale |
ACT/SAT | Minimum of 27 on ACT or 1280 on SAT |
Fine Arts Seal | 2 credits of fine arts |
Experiential Learning | Field Experience, OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal*, Portfolio, or Work-Based Learning |
Social Science and Civic Engagement Seal
Math | Fourth math > Algebra 2 |
Social Studies | 5 credits of Social Studies |
World Languages | 3 credits of one language, or 2 credits of two languages |
GPA | 3.5 on a 4.0 unweighted scale |
ACT/SAT | Minimum of 27 on ACT or 1280 on SAT |
Community Service Seal | 120 hours of Community Service |
Citizenship Seal | Earn Citizenship Seal |
Experiential Learning | Field Experience, OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal*, Portfolio, or Work-Based Learning |
Career Tech Honors Diplomas Math | Fourth math must be > Algebra 2 |
Career-Tech Coursework | Four units of Career-Tech Courses |
Career-Tech Proficiency | Earned a cumulative score of proficient or higher on the technical assessments aligned to their program |
World Languages | Two credits of one world language |
GPA | 3.5 on a 4.0 unweighted scale |
ACT/SAT/Workkeys | ACT: Score of 27 or higher, SAT: Score of 1280 or higher
Workkeys: Earn a score of six or higher on all three sections of the WorkKeys assessment. |
Industry-Recognized Seal or Technology Seal | Meet requirements to earn the Industry Recognized Credential Seal or Technology Seal |
Experiential Learning | Field Experience, OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal, Portfolio or Work-Based Learning |
International Baccalaureate Honors Diploma
Math | Fourth math must be > Algebra 2 |
Science | One additional credit Advanced Science |
World Languages | Three sequential units of one world language, or no less than 2 sequential units of two world languages studied |
GPA | 3.5 on a 4.0 scale |
ACT/SAT | ACT: Score of 27 or higher, SAT: Score of 1280 or higher |
Biliteracy Seal | Meet requirements to earn the Biliteracy Seal |
Experiential Learning | Field Experience, OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal, Portfolio or Work-Based Learning |