GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

During a student’s 8^th grade year, all LCA students must complete an “Intent to Graduate Form” declaring the student’s intent to receive an LCA diploma or a home school diploma. A Graduation Fee is assessed in the senior year for each student intending to participate in LCA’s graduation ceremony (see “Financial Policies” section).

HOME SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND REQUIREMENTS

Students who do not wish to receive an LCA diploma may receive a home school diploma. LCA allows home school diploma students to participate in all graduation related activities with the rest of the graduating class although the diploma itself will not acknowledge the student as a graduate of LCA. LCA also provides a transcript for these students. However, LCA does not include graduation dates on transcripts and it does not take responsibility for course selection.

Requirements

Students electing to receive a home school diploma and wishing to participate in LCA’s graduation ceremony must meet the following minimum requirements:

• English – three years
• History – three years
• Math – two years
• Science – two years

Additionally, these students must submit a preliminary home school transcript no later than the first day of the fall semester of their senior year documenting all but the last course in each subject area. (The LCA administration recommends submission of this transcript at the beginning of each high school fall semester rather than waiting until the senior year.) Seniors must submit their final home school transcript no later than the first final exam date of the spring semester in order to participate in LCA’s graduation ceremony.

LCA DIPLOMA PLANS AND REQUIREMENTS

All high school students (9th – 12th grades) who intend to receive an LCA diploma must have a diploma plan on file with the academic office prior to registration for high school level classes. To assist parents in creating the student’s diploma plan, two diploma planning meetings will be held annually for 8^th grade parents and students. For families who do not attend one of these meetings and whose student intends to receive an LCA diploma, a late fee will be charged to meet with the academic counselor for a personal consultation and creation of the student’s high school diploma plan (see “Financial Policies” section).

A senior may not alter his or her diploma plan after the first full week of the spring semester of his/her senior year.

LCA Diploma Plan Types

Three LCA diploma options are currently offered:

Basic Graduate Diploma: intended to prepare students for entry into somewhat less competitive colleges.

Recommended Graduate Diploma: intended to prepare students for entry into more competitive colleges.

Distinguished Achievement Diploma: intended to provide students with a greater depth in two or more selected fields of study.

In order to receive a diploma from LCA:

• All candidates must successfully complete a minimum of 36 credits at LCA.*
• A minimum of nine academic or elective credits (six of which must be academic) must be earned each semester of the junior and senior years.
• Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or above and submit scores from either the ACT or SAT before graduating.
• All students must also attend one year of Higher Ground before graduation.
• Students must submit an Intent to Graduate Form with the academic office prior to the start of their planned graduation year (see “Financial Policies/Fees/Graduation”).

*Exception: Students Enrolled Only For Their Senior Year

In order to receive any of the diplomas offered, ALL students enrolled only for their senior year must:

• Register for and successfully complete on campus a minimum of 22 LCA credits, of which at least 18 are academic credits.
• Attend Higher Ground their entire senior year.
• Transfer in all necessary credits for desired diploma.
• Submit scores from either the ACT or the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test).
• Complete the course requirements, which apply to their specific situation, as described below.

LCA Diploma Plan Requirements

Basic Graduate Diploma

The Basic Graduate Diploma is intended to prepare students for entry into junior colleges and somewhat less competitive four-year colleges. In order to earn a Basic Graduate Diploma, students are required to earn the following credits in the indicated areas:

Computer: 6 credits of computer applications

English: 24 credits in English

Mathematics: 18 credits, including Algebra, Geometry, and 6 credits of upper level math

Science: 18 credits, including Biology, Chemistry, and 6 credits of upper level lab-based science

Foreign Language: 12 credits in the same foreign language

History: 24 credits, including World History, U.S. History, Government and Economics

Physical Education: 9 credits

General Electives: 16 credits

Spiritual Development: 6 credits

Total minimum required credits for a Basic Graduate Diploma: 133

Recommended Graduate Diploma

The Recommended Graduate Diploma is intended to prepare students for entry into more competitive four-year colleges and universities. In order to earn a Recommended Graduate Diploma from LCA, students are required to earn the following credits in the indicated areas:

Computer: 6 credits of computer applications

English: 24 credits in English

Mathematics: 24 credits, including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Calculus or Personal

Finance

Science: 24 credits, including Intro. to Physics/Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry and 6 credits of upper

level lab-based science

Foreign Language: 12 credits in the same foreign language

History: 24 credits, including World History, U.S. History, Government and Economics

Physical Education: 9 credits

Fine Arts: 6 credits

General Electives: 6 credits

Spiritual Development: 6 credits

Total minimum required credits for a Recommended Graduate Diploma: 141

Distinguished Achievement Diploma

The Distinguished Achievement Diploma is intended to prepare students for entry into more competitive four-year colleges and universities and to provide them with greater depth in two or more selected fields of study. All students seeking this diploma must fulfill the requirements for the Recommended Graduate Diploma and select two or more of the following fields of study for additional credits.

Field of Study Total Credits Other Information

Computer 18
Fine Arts 18 9 credits of music or art theory, history, or

appreciation AND 9 credits of practical application

classes (private lessons, AIM, art, or theatre

production)

Foreign Language 18 Same foreign language

Mathematics 30 Must take 6 credits of Calculus

Humanities 18 Acquired in Western Civilization I, II, and III only

Science 30 Must take 6 additional upper level lab-based science credits to qualify

History 30 Must take 6 additional history credits

English 30 Must take 6 additional English credits

Please note that six credits of a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) class may be used to

replace twelve core credits in one subject area. Student must receive a passing grade on the AP

exam.

In addition to the above:

• Student must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Student must present an original thesis research paper. This project will be judged by a panel of teachers and will be conducted under the direction of a faculty advisor. (For recommended guidelines visit the academic office.)
• Students must score above the previous year’s Texas average on standardized college placement exams (SAT, ACT); e.g., graduates must obtain a higher SAT average than the Texas average for the previous year.

Total minimum required credits for a Distinguished Achievement Diploma: 153