Graduation Requirements and Information
Graduation Requirements
Morgan County Schools provides clear and rigorous graduation requirements to ensure students are prepared for life after high school. These requirements are aligned to the Alabama Course of Study and are designed to support success in college, career, and the workforce.
Students must earn the required number of credits across core academic areas and electives. Because individual student goals may vary, families are encouraged to work with school counselors to ensure proper course selection and progress toward graduation
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Graduation Requirements and Academic Distinctions
Students in Morgan County Schools must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits in grades 9–12 to earn a high school diploma. All diplomas are issued in accordance with the requirements set by the State of Alabama.
Alabama currently offers one diploma with two distinct pathways (Option A and Option B). These pathways are aligned to state guidance and may be updated as additional information becomes available.
To be eligible for graduation, students must:
- Successfully complete all required coursework
- Meet attendance requirements
- Pass all required assessments
- Fulfill all criteria established by the Alabama State Department of Education
Students who meet these requirements are eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies. Participation is subject to:
- Approval by the school principal
- Payment of all outstanding financial obligations
- Adherence to school disciplinary expectations
Participation in graduation-related activities may be restricted if a student’s behavior is deemed disruptive. Additionally, homeschool students are not eligible to participate in Morgan County Schools graduation ceremonies.
Morgan County Schools recognizes student achievement through a structured honors system designed to reflect academic performance and rigor.
Class Rankings & Honors Designations:
- Students are ranked beginning in the 9th grade using a weighted GPA on a 100-point scale
- Valedictorian: Highest GPA in the graduating class
- Salutatorian: Second-highest GPA
- Honor Students: Determined based on GPA and academic criteria
Additional Honor Distinctions:
- Students scoring 30 or higher on the ACT are recognized as Honor Students
- Students in the top 5% of the graduating class with an Advanced Academic designation are also recognized
- Final honors are based on a complete high school transcript
Core academic courses (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) are weighted to reflect rigor, while elective courses are included but not weighted.
Morgan County Schools offers a variety of advanced academic opportunities to support college and career readiness:
- Pre-AP / Honors / Advanced Courses
- Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
- Dual Enrollment Courses
These courses:
- Follow Alabama State Department of Education guidelines
- Are taught by appropriately credentialed instructors
- May utilize college-level materials
- Prepare students for advanced academic work and assessments
Dual Enrollment Notes:
- Requires approval from the school principal and superintendent
- Students should consult their school before enrolling in college courses for credit
Certain advanced math courses (such as Pre-Calculus and Calculus) are weighted due to their rigor.
High school credits earned in middle school may count toward graduation but are not included in honor ranking calculations.
Students who pursue a more rigorous academic pathway may earn the Morgan County Schools Advanced Academic Endorsement.
To qualify, students must:
- Complete all graduation requirements
- Earn 1 credit in Advanced Algebra with Statistics (or higher)
- Complete either:
- 2 credits in the same foreign language, or
- 3 credits in a Career Technical Education pathway
- Successfully complete at least one AP or Dual Enrollment course
This endorsement recognizes students who go beyond minimum requirements to challenge themselves academically.
Morgan County Schools also supports students in earning the Alabama Workforce Development Seal, which recognizes students who are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills employers value most.
This seal highlights a student’s readiness in key areas such as:
- Work ethic and professionalism
- Communication and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Career and technical skill development
Students may earn this distinction through a combination of:
- Career Technical Education (CTE) coursework
- Work-based learning experiences
- Industry-recognized credentials
- Demonstrated employability skills
The Alabama Workforce Development Seal reflects a student’s commitment to becoming career-ready and provides valuable recognition for future employers and postsecondary opportunities.
Morgan County Schools offers students the opportunity to earn the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes proficiency in English and at least one additional language.
This distinction:
- Honors students’ language skills and cultural awareness
- Encourages continued development of multilingual abilities
- Recognizes learning that occurs both in and outside of the classroom
To earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must:
- Meet all high school graduation requirements
- Demonstrate proficiency in English through an approved assessment
- Demonstrate proficiency in another language through an approved assessment or portfolio
This recognition reflects the value of language diversity and prepares students for success in a global society.
-
Morgan County Schools recognizes student achievement through a structured honors system designed to reflect academic performance and rigor.
Class Rankings & Honors Designations:
- Students are ranked beginning in the 9th grade using a weighted GPA on a 100-point scale
- Valedictorian: Highest GPA in the graduating class
- Salutatorian: Second-highest GPA
- Honor Students: Determined based on GPA and academic criteria
Additional Honor Distinctions:
- Students scoring 30 or higher on the ACT are recognized as Honor Students
- Students in the top 5% of the graduating class with an Advanced Academic designation are also recognized
- Final honors are based on a complete high school transcript
Core academic courses (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) are weighted to reflect rigor, while elective courses are included but not weighted.
-
Morgan County Schools offers a variety of advanced academic opportunities to support college and career readiness:
- Pre-AP / Honors / Advanced Courses
- Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
- Dual Enrollment Courses
These courses:
- Follow Alabama State Department of Education guidelines
- Are taught by appropriately credentialed instructors
- May utilize college-level materials
- Prepare students for advanced academic work and assessments
Dual Enrollment Notes:
- Requires approval from the school principal and superintendent
- Students should consult their school before enrolling in college courses for credit
Certain advanced math courses (such as Pre-Calculus and Calculus) are weighted due to their rigor.
High school credits earned in middle school may count toward graduation but are not included in honor ranking calculations. -
Students who pursue a more rigorous academic pathway may earn the Morgan County Schools Advanced Academic Endorsement.
To qualify, students must:
- Complete all graduation requirements
- Earn 1 credit in Advanced Algebra with Statistics (or higher)
- Complete either:
- 2 credits in the same foreign language, or
- 3 credits in a Career Technical Education pathway
- Successfully complete at least one AP or Dual Enrollment course
This endorsement recognizes students who go beyond minimum requirements to challenge themselves academically.
-
Morgan County Schools also supports students in earning the Alabama Workforce Development Seal, which recognizes students who are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills employers value most.
This seal highlights a student’s readiness in key areas such as:
- Work ethic and professionalism
- Communication and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Career and technical skill development
Students may earn this distinction through a combination of:
- Career Technical Education (CTE) coursework
- Work-based learning experiences
- Industry-recognized credentials
- Demonstrated employability skills
The Alabama Workforce Development Seal reflects a student’s commitment to becoming career-ready and provides valuable recognition for future employers and postsecondary opportunities.
-
Morgan County Schools offers students the opportunity to earn the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes proficiency in English and at least one additional language.
This distinction:
- Honors students’ language skills and cultural awareness
- Encourages continued development of multilingual abilities
- Recognizes learning that occurs both in and outside of the classroom
To earn the Seal of Biliteracy, students must:
- Meet all high school graduation requirements
- Demonstrate proficiency in English through an approved assessment
- Demonstrate proficiency in another language through an approved assessment or portfolio
This recognition reflects the value of language diversity and prepares students for success in a global society.