April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
First Hauser students to receive new academic honors diploma
The Flat Rock-Hawcreek school board approved the new "Hauser Academic Excellence" diploma track in January, giving area students a chance to earn a diploma even more rigorous than the state-approved "Core 40 with Academic Honors" diploma, said Hauser Principal Shawn Price.
"The Core 40 honors that the state offers doesn't have quite the same robust criteria that we would have," Price said.
"We have created these new categories where students can still earn the Core 40 with Honors that the state observes, but then also we don't have to necessarily have to compromise the high standards that we expect from our Hauser students."
Going forward, all Hauser valedictorians and salutatorians will have to earn the more stringent Hauser Academic Excellence diplomas, Price said.
The main differences in the new diploma compared to the state honors diploma is the requirement that students earn no grade below a C- with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 and that students take all honors-level English classes, three years of a foreign language and higher level science courses. The state-approved honors diploma only requires a GPA of 3.0, allows for fewer years of a foreign language and less rigorous science and English classes.
"We have always offered those courses, but what (the new diploma) does is it allows for it to be recognized in a more formal manner," Price said.
The students will receive an additional distinction at graduation showing that they have achieved the higher Hauser honor, Price said. The exact details are still being worked out but could include a different cord or medallion.
Among the benefits of the new diploma, students applying for college or scholarships will be able to cite the new diploma as an additional honor for consideration.
"There will be some students that could possibly qualify for more scholarships because of this change in our policy," Price said. "I think all around it was a good decision to go back and take a look at our criteria and what we were offering our students... That's the great thing about Hauser kids. They continue to push themselves and they strive to get that honor."
Hauser now offers five diploma tracks, including the standard state Core 40, the Core 40 with technical honors, the Core 40 with academic honors, a general diploma for students not planning to go on to college and the new Hauser Academic Excellence diploma.
Price estimated that 23 of this year's 58 graduating seniors will qualify for either the state-approved Core 40 with Academic Honors or the Hauser Academic Excellence diploma.
Hauser Academic Excellence requirements
English - 8 credits
English 9- H
English 10-H
English 11-H
English 12-H
Math - 8 credits (in HS)
Algebra I (A)
Geometry (A)
Algebra II (A)
Pre-Calculus & Trigonometry
Advanced Math: Calculus
Advanced Math: Finite
Advanced Math: Concepts in Math
Science - 6 credits
Biology I-H
Chemistry I-H
At least one of the following:
Physics I
Anatomy & Physiology
Advanced Life Science: Animals
Environmental Science
AP Physics 1
Social Studies - 6 credits
World History & Civilization
US History (Advanced)
US Government-Advanced
Economics-Advanced
Physical Education - 2 credits
Health & Wellness - 1 credit or 3 of the following (3 credits):
Preparing for College & Careers Interpersonal Relationships
Nutrition & Wellness
Child Development
Adult Roles & Responsibilities
Fine Arts - 2 credits
Art or Music class at Hauser
World Languages - 6-8 credits
Minimum of 3 years of one language
Electives - 6-8 credits
Any additional from above departments
Minimum Total Credits 47
No grade below "C-"
Cumulative GPA > 3.2
Complete one of the following:
A. 2 AP courses & related exam
B. 6 transferable college credits
C. 1 AP course & exam and 3 transferable college credits
D. SAT score > 1750 with at least 530 in each area
E. ACT score > 26 composite and complete the writing section[[In-content Ad]]
