Credits

A student graduates from the Independence School District, when he/she earns all credits in all the required areas of concentration. Credits are earned by successfully passing courses during the regular school day, during the District's summer school, through approved correspondence programs, and through approved virtual instruction programs.

Students who voluntarily withdraw from a class after the first 20 attendance days of each semester will receive an "F" in the class for the semester.  Exceptions may be allowed by the principal or his/her designee.

Credit Types

All courses offered in the ISD fall under a credit type. Credit types are used to ensure that all graduation requirements are met. Below are the various credit types and the abbreviations used for each.

Grade Point Average (GPA) and Class Rank

Grade points are awarded based on the table above. These grade points are used in computing a GPA. Over the course of the high school career, all semester GPAs are combined to comprise the cumulative GPA; however, class rank is based on total accumulated grade points, not GPA.

Students who take a full schedule all four years and weighted courses earn more grade points than students who take fewer weighted courses or who take a partial schedule during their senior year.  Any coursework taken beyond the normal course load per school day will count toward credit for graduation, but not toward GPA.

Weighted courses are available in select subject areas. They carry an additional grade point value and some offer college credit as well. Weighted courses are determined according to the following criteria:

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses
• Honors courses 
• Project Lead the Way courses
• College Credit courses

Additional Considerations Regarding Graduation

Summer School: Course credit(s) earned in summer school or night school may be counted toward the high school graduation requirements if the courses meet Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education standards and regulations. Summer school and night school grades do not influence class rank.

Credit Recovery Options: Credit recovery provides an opportunity for high school students who fail a course to complete the requirements of the class. Once the student demonstrates mastery of the course requirements, the student shall receive credit for the course. Grades earned through credit recovery options will not impact a student's class rank unless these courses are taken in the building during the regular school day.

Correspondence Credit: A maximum of two units of correspondence credit from accredited colleges and universities may be counted toward the high school graduation requirements. Students desiring to use correspondence credit to meet graduation requirements shall obtain prior approval of the principal or his/her designee.

Virtual Instruction Program: The District will utilize an electronic classroom tool. District staff members will assign a grade and course credit depending upon the percentage of work satisfactorily completed for each class.

Special Education: Exceptions to the above graduation requirements may be made for students enrolled in special education classes. In making these exceptions, the instructional and administrative staffs will be guided by each student's ability to perform. Specific courses may be required of a special education student when it is determined to be in the best interest of the student. The Individual Educational Plan (IEP) may determine the appropriate educational program leading to the awarding of a diploma, as well as exemption from class rank .