Diploma Specifications
GRADUATION: DIPLOMAS/CERTIFICATES
The requirements for a student to earn a diploma from a Virginia high school are the requirements that are in effect when that student
enters the 9th grade for the first time. Students may be awarded a diploma or a certificate upon graduation from a Virginia high school.
Specific graduation requirements are shown on page 5. NOTE: Graduation and course requirements listed are subject to change due to
possible modifications in state requirements.
�� Advanced Studies Diploma – To earn an Advanced Studies Diploma (24-credit) in the York County School Division, a student
must successfully complete the following Standard Units of Credit: English/4; History & Social Science/4; Mathematics/4; Laboratory
Science/4; Foreign Language/3; Health & PE/2; Fine or Practical Arts/1; and Electives/2.
�� Standard Diploma – To earn a Standard Diploma (22-credit) in the York County School Division, a student must successfully
complete the following Standard Units of Credit: English/4; History & Social Science/4; Mathematics/3; Laboratory Science/3; Health &
PE/2; Fine or Practical Arts/1; and Electives/5. Credits must include at least two sequential electives.
�� Modified Standard Diploma – Eligibility for the Modified Standard Diploma is determined by the student’s Individual Education
Program (IEP). To earn a Modified Standard Diploma (20-credit) in the York County School Division, a student must successfully
complete the following Standard Units of Credit: English/4; History & Social Science/2; Mathematics/3; Science/2; Health & PE/2; Fine
or Practical Arts/1; and Electives/6. Credits must include at least two sequential electives. Students pursuing the Modified Standard
Diploma must pass literacy and numeracy competency assessments prescribed by the State Board of Education.
�� General Achievement Diploma – Certain individuals who meet specific conditions and complete a prescribed course of study as
defined by the State Board of Education may be awarded the General Achievement Diploma.
�� Special Diploma – Certain students identified with disabilities who complete the requirements of their Individual Education
Program (IEP) are awarded Special Diplomas by the local school board.
�� Special Certificate – Certain students who have completed a prescribed course of study as defined by the local school board are
awarded Special Certificates if they do not qualify for diplomas.
GRADUATION: RECOGNITIONS
The Standards for Accrediting Schools in Virginia, adopted by the Virginia Board of Education, establishes high school graduation
requirements and certain diploma seal recognitions. In addition, the York County School Division and the International Baccalaureate
Programme offer additional academic recognitions. Students may earn more than one seal recognition.
�� State Board of Education Seal – Students who earn the Standard Diploma with an average grade of “A” or better will receive the
State Board of Education Seal. Students who entered ninth grade in 2006-2007 or later are eligible for the State Board of Education
Seal if they earn the Advanced Diploma or the Standard Diploma with an average grade of “A” of better.
�� Governor’s Seal – Students who entered 9th grade in 2004-2005 or earlier who earn the Advanced Studies Diploma with an
average grade of “B” or better and complete at least one Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or college-level
course for credit will receive the Governor’s Seal. Students who entered 9th grade in 2006-2007 or later who earn an Advanced Studies
Diploma with a “B” average or better, and who successfully complete college-level coursework to earn nine (9) transferable college
credits in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, or dual enrollment (Early College Scholars), will receive the
Governor’s Seal.
�� State Board of Education Career & Technical Education Seal – Students who earn the Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma
and complete a prescribed sequence of courses in a career/technical education concentration or specialization and maintain a “B”
average in those courses or pass a certification examination or acquire a professional license will receive the State Board of Education
Career & Technical Education Seal.
�� State Board of Education Seal of Advanced Mathematics & Technology – Students who earn the Standard or Advanced
Studies Diploma and satisfy all of the mathematics requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and maintain a “B” average in those
courses and either pass a certification examination from a recognized industry, trade or professional organization or acquire a
professional license in a career/technical area or pass an exam approved by the Board that confers college-level credit in a technology
or computer science area will receive the State Board of Education Seal of Advanced Mathematics & Technology.
�� State Board of Education Seal for Excellence in Civics Education – Students who earn the Standard or Advanced Studies
Diploma and complete Virginia and U.S. History and Virginia and U.S. Government with a grade of “B” or higher and complete 50 hours
of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities (e.g., volunteering for an organization that provides services
to the poor, sick, less fortunate or participating in: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and similar organizations; in NJROTC; in political
campaigns or government internships, Boys State, Girls State, Model General Assembly; and/or in school-sponsored extracurricular
activities that have a civic focus) or enlisting in the United States military prior to graduation and have good attendance with no
disciplinary infractions as determined by the local school board receive the State Board of Education Seal for Excellence in Civics
Education.
�� York County School Division Honors Seal – Students who complete the course of study for the York County School Division
Honors Program will receive the Honors Seal on the diploma in addition to other applicable seals.
�� International Baccalaureate Diploma – Students who complete the course of study and exams for the International
Baccalaureate Programme will receive the International Baccalaureate Diploma in addition to the appropriate York County high school
diploma with applicable seals.
