Graduation Requirements
Essentially, it is the student’s responsibility to see that requirements for graduation are met. Students can check graduation progress on PowerSchool at any time. Butler High School will make every effort to keep up-to-date records and to inform the student and parents about the student’s progress toward the completion of graduation requirements. However, it is the student’s responsibility to be acquainted with the necessary requirements to meet this goal.
A minimum of 22 credits is required for graduation. Specific credits required by the Vandalia-Butler Board of Education are:
In addition to the 22 credits noted above, the State of Ohio requires students to satisfy one of the following three pathways in order to graduate.
Ohio’s State End-of-Course Tests
Students are required to earn a cumulative passing score of 18 points, using seven end-of-course Ohio State tests. To ensure students are well rounded, they must earn a minimum of 4 points in Math, 4 points in English, 6 points across Science and Social Studies, and an additional 4 points in any of the subject matters.
End-of-course exams are administered for the following courses:
• Algebra I and Geometry or Integrated Math I and II
• English I and English II
• Biology
• American History and American Government
Students studying Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Biology, American History or American Government may take and substitute test scores for end-of-course Ohio State tests. Students also may substitute grades from College Credit Plus courses in these subjects for end-of-course Ohio State tests.
OR
College and Career Readiness Tests
Students must earn “remediation-free” scores on a nationally recognized college admission exam, e.g. ACT. The State of Ohio will pay one time for all 11th-grade students in the classes of 2018 and beyond to take the exam free of charge.
OR
Industry credential and workforce readiness
Students earn a minimum of 12 points by receiving a State Board of Education-approved, industry-recognized credential or group of credentials in a single career field and earn a 14 on WorkKeys, a workforce readiness score. The State of Ohio will pay one time for those who take the WorkKeys test.
Academic Honors Diploma
High school students can gain state recognition for exceeding Ohio’s graduation requirements through an Academic Honors Diploma. High-level coursework, college and career readiness tests and real-world experiences challenge students.
Students must meet all but one of the following criteria, unless it is a minimum graduation requirement. Students must meet general graduation requirements to qualify for honors diplomas.
Please visit the Ohio Department of Education webpage to review further details regarding each of the Honors Diploma criteria.
The guidelines for meeting these honors criteria are outlined in a brochure available in the guidance office.
Academic Honors Diploma Requirements
Math: 4 units
Science: 4 units, including 2 units of advanced science
Social Studies: 4 units
World Languages: 3 units of one world language, or no less than 2 units of each of two world languages studied
Fine Arts: 1 unit
GPA: 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
ACT: 27 or higher | SAT: 1280 or higher
The Four-Year Plan
The twenty-two (22) credits required for graduation MUST include the items outlined in the Four-Year Plan. The PDF is a sample of a chart that may be used to plan classes for the four years. Students could pencil in what they plan to take. Choices may change later depending on interests and career plans. Students would check with the counselors to make sure courses meet Butler graduation requirements.
The "Minimum Core" For College Preparation
The Ohio Advisory Commission on Articulation between Secondary Schools and Ohio Colleges has set forth endorsed guidelines for a college preparatory curriculum. Students who plan to pursue a four-year baccalaureate degree should complete the following courses in high school:
| English | 4 credits |
| Mathematics | 4 credits college-prep math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and 1 additional credit) |
| Science |
3 credits |
| Social Studies | 3 credits |
| Foreign Language | 2 credits of same language |
| Visual or Performing Arts | 1 credit (music, art or drama) |
Colleges, universities, and scholarship programs use the student’s academic record, College Board test scores, extracurricular activities, teacher recommendations, and answers to application questions to make admissions decisions.
Students who do not have the recommended courses may be required to take university courses to make up their deficiencies as a condition to their acceptance for admission. Students should contact the university or college in which they have an interest about specific requirements for that university.
Information about colleges and universities may also be obtained from the Career Lab, several computer search formats, or by contacting the Guidance Office Staff. Guidance also has information and registration packets for the College Board programs, including the SAT and ACT tests, available to students.