Counselor's Corner » Graduation Requirements and College/Career Readiness

Graduation Requirements and College/Career Readiness

Graduation Requirements

 

Each student and parent should be aware of the student’s accumulated credits, including any previously failed required courses that must be made up in Summer School. Grade levels and graduation are determined by the number of credits earned, not by the years of schooling. As a general rule, one credit is awarded for each class that a student successfully completes. 

 

Current MACS graduation requirements are as follows: 

  1. Credits – A student must earn 23.5 credits including a minimum of 4 credits of English, 4 of math, 4 of science, 3 of social studies, 2 of foreign language, 1.5 of health and physical education, and at least 5 of elective courses. 
  2. Senior Project – All seniors are required to successfully complete and pass the Senior Research Project and presentation as part of the Multicultural Seminar class.
  3. Standardized Tests – Students are required to pass all three Keystone Exams (Algebra 1, Literature, and Biology) before graduation. If a student does not obtain passing scores in all three Keystone exams, they must fulfill an alternative graduation pathway outlined through Act 158 by PDE.  All possible alternative graduation pathways may be found here: https://pdesas.org/Page/Viewer/ViewPage/73?SectionPageItemId=3325 

 

Per Act 158 of 2018, all students must fulfill a graduation pathway from PDE. See the list below for the most commonly used graduation pathways by previous graduates. 

  1. Pass all three Keystones
  2. Earn a Keystone Composite Score - no Below Basic scores, total composite scores must be a 4452
  3. Evidence Based Pathway - earn a college acceptance letter to a 4-year accredited university/college
  4. Evidence Based Pathway - successfully completed a dual enrollment course at a postsecondary institution
  5. Evidence Based Pathway - score 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement exam
  6. Evidence Based Pathway - score 970 or better on the PSAT or 1010 or better on the SAT
  7. Evidence Based Pathway - complete a certificate from accredited internship, externship, or industry. 
  8. Evidence Based Pathway - complete a service learning project that includes 20 hours of community service

 

The counselor will work with students individually to determine the most appropriate graduation pathway when necessary. 

 

 

According to the PA Department of Education, every student must meet the Career Readiness standards by producing a minimum of eight artifacts prior to graduation. Artifacts are collected in the College Foundations course, Junior Seminar course, annual College and Career days, etc.  These artifacts are designed to assist students with their college and career preparedness at the post-secondary level.  Please see our counselor program chapter 339 plan for details about each of these artifacts and when they need to be completed.