Graduation and Diploma Requirements

In order to receive a diploma from CCA, learners must be enrolled at CCA during the semester immediately prior to graduation, earn at least one credit within the school year of graduating, meet the graduation requirements approved by the Board and administration, and be enrolled at CCA. The Administrative Guidelines for graduation can be found here.

Starting with the Class of 2023, learners must fulfill state graduation credit requirements (21 credits) AND fulfill one of five Graduation Pathways. Keystones make up two of those Pathways (Keystone Proficiency and Keystone Composite). CCA recommends all learners take the Keystone exams when appropriate. CCA also supports families as they consider choosing Pathways alternative to the Keystone exams. At CCA, many opportunities exist for our learners to graduate FUTURE READY.

Early Graduation
Learners who are interested in completing all graduation requirements at any time prior to the end of the second semester of their senior year may request early graduation by contacting the principal during the learner’s sophomore or junior year for approval. The principal and school staff will review the learner’s record to ensure that all graduation requirements have been met. If early graduation is approved, the principal will initiate the graduation process.

Early graduates will receive their diplomas at the end of the second semester when the rest of the graduating class receives their diplomas. Early graduates are welcome to join in any and all graduation activities sponsored by CCA, but they must inform CCA of their desire to participate at the same time they request early graduation.

Class Rank
CCA calculates class rank twice per year, after the conclusion of each semester. For the purposes of calculating the class rank, the learner’s cumulative grade-point average (GPA) will be used, which may include weighted grades for Honors, Advanced Placement, or dual enrollment courses.

The cumulative GPA is calculated to the thousandth of a point. Students whose class rank rounds off to the same thousandth of a point will be considered tied and will receive the same class rank. Class rank will not be included on the learner’s official high school transcript. However, a student can request class rank from their school counselor.

Transcripts and Educational Records
CCA School Counselors will provide educational records, including official high school transcripts, class rank, test scores and letters of recommendation, to third parties such as postsecondary institutions, scholarship committees and potential employers. However, CCA does require prior, written approval from the learner’s parent(s)/legal
guardian(s), or from the learner if the learner is 18 or older, or is an emancipated minor. To ensure that application deadlines are successfully met, please contact your School Counselor or the enrollment office at least ten (10) working days prior to your deadline for educational records and at least 30 days in advance for letters of recommendation.