West Salem High School
Graduation
Commencement Celebration
Graduation Ceremony
The information below was copied the Graduation Page on our district site. For most updated information check it out there.
Graduation Attire
All graduating seniors must wear caps and gowns and weather-appropriate attire underneath.
With a principal’s permission, students may be able to decorate their caps. Check with your principal for individual school guidelines, as principals have the final say on this matter. If students are allowed to decorate and the decorations on the cap are considered inappropriate or cause a distraction, the student will be asked to remove and replace their cap.
Students are allowed to wear their cords, medals, or stoles depending upon their clubs/organizations/honor societies they belong to. Hawaiian leis are allowed to be worn. Native American feathers, beadings and garments are allowed.
Students are not allowed to carry objects such as, but not limited to; flowers, umbrellas, stuffed animals, air horns, balloons, inflatables, etc.
For schools with outside graduation locales, flat shoes/sandals are recommended for walking on the turf field and on the stage.
Behavior Expectations
Seniors involved in pranks may be denied participation in Graduation activities. Any senior involved in damage to property or in actions which degrade the reputation of an individual or a school will be criminally charged and will NOT be allowed to walk with their class in the Graduation ceremonies.
Any student coming to a school activity, the Prom, Senior Banquet, Graduation practice or the Graduation ceremony under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be criminally charged and subject to District discipline policy. They will also be removed from all further senior activities. Students expelled during the school year will be denied participation in the Graduation ceremonies.
Hearing Impaired & Wheelchair Access
High Schools can provide a sign language interpreter for the Senior Awards assembly and the Graduation ceremony.
If you require wheelchair access, seating is first come first serve so please arrive early to get a space. There will be multiple areas in the pavillion available to you.
Fines/Fees & Senior Graduation Privileges
In accordance with District Administrative policy INS-A012, Section 7, seniors who have outstanding fees, fines, or damaged/lost property may result in the loss of privileges of attending the Prom, Senior Banquet and walking at Graduation. Look for fines and fees letters to arrive early April. Please contact the bookkeeper if you have questions or concerns. A payment plan must be in place before a student who owes fees is allowed to participate in the above activities.
Library & Textbooks
Please note that Seniors with library or textbook fees will not be allowed to walk at Graduation. Here are your options if you have book fees:
- Find the book and return it.
- Pay the bookkeeper.
- Buy an identical replacement book (Amazon.com often has very inexpensive used books). Make sure the book you buy has the same ISBN # as the one you checked out.
- Work in the library for minimum wage to pay off the fee.
Check with your school bookkeeper to confirm that these options are still available.
All library books should be returned prior to final exams. If a textbook must be used for a final exam, please return it immediately after the exam. Please check with the library to find out which library and textbooks you have checked out. When returning books, rather than use the book drop, check in your books at the counter and find out which books you still have checked out.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete 24 credits. All credit requirements must be met, as well as all fees paid, in order to walk at graduation. Students must complete 24 credits.
All credit requirements must be met, as well as all fees paid, in order to walk at graduation. Each semester long class is one-half credit.
Needed Graduation Requirements
Language Arts
4 Credits
Mathmatics
3 Credits
(Grade 12) (Grades 9-11, All 3 credits are Algebra 1 and above.)
Science
3 Credits
(2 of the credits requiring lab experience)
Social Science
3 Credits
Health
1 Credits
.5 Credits (Grade 9) Wellness Skills I
.5 Credits (Grade 11) Wellness Skills II
.
Physical Education (P.E.)
1 Credit
.5 Credits (Grade 9) Personal Fitness
.5 Credits (Grade 10-12 P.E. Elective
Electives
6 Credits
Second Language / The Arts / Career and Technical Education (CTE)
4 Credits
(Any courses in Art, Business/Computer Science, Foreign Language, Drama, Music, Newspaper, Yearbook)
Also, state requirements as follows: Every student must pass the essential skills in reading, writing, and math, and complete their Personal Education Plan (PEP)
Diploma Options
Early Graduation
West Salem High School recognizes the right of parentsand students to request early graduation and may agree that some students should be exempt from a full four-year attendance expectation.
West Salem High School strongly advocates full time attendance rather than aspiring to meet only minimum standards of educational achievement in high school.
In the majority of cases, full school attendance may have more satisfying long range implications in the areas of opportunities for career decision making, normal maturation processes and in becoming a more productive citizen.
Requirements:
1. Students must apply for early graduation via the counselor and must obtain parental and administrative approval. Students must fill out the form “Intent to Graduate Early” and get administrative approval. In April, after all “Essential Skills” requirements have been met and a PEP (Personal Education Plan) has been submitted, the final approval will be given.
2. All 24 required credits, essential skills, and Personal Education Plan (PEP) must be completed by graduation day in order for the student to participate in any part of the graduation ceremony.
3. If a student withdraws from West Salem High School and takes classes at Roberts High School they will receive a diploma from Roberts High and not West High.
4. It will be the parent/students’ responsibility to maintain contact with West Salem High School regarding graduation activities.
5. Juniors graduating early may not be Valedictorians and Salutatorians. Students earning valedictorian or salutatorian status must complete eight semesters of high school.