Graduation Guidelines

What Are Graduation Guidelines?

Colorado Graduation Guidelines are a road map to help students and their families plan for success after high school. In order to graduate from high school, students choose from a Menu of Options - adopted at the local school board level - to demonstrate Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) in English and math. The guidelines go into effect for the Class of 2022.

Menu of Options

Local school boards establish high school graduation requirements that meet or exceed the Colorado Graduation Guidelines for the graduating class of 2021 or 2022. Local school boards and districts select from this menu to create a list of options that their students must use to show what they know or can do in order to graduate from high school, beginning with the graduating class of 2022.

Why Graduation Guidelines?

The guidelines have two purposes, the first is to articulate Colorado’s shared beliefs about the value and meaning of a high school diploma. The second is to outline the minimum components, expectations, and responsibilities of local districts and the state to support students in attaining their high school diploma. Life beyond high school is different from what it used to be. Most jobs in Colorado now and in the future require training or education beyond high school. Students who graduate and work in Colorado will need in-demand skills that meet business, industry, and higher education standards.

-CDE Graduation Guidelines

CDE Menu of Options (Sept 2021)

MCSD Graduation Guidelines Menu of Options

Students must demonstrate college or career readiness in English (Reading, Writing and Communicating) and Math based on at least one menu option to receive a high school diploma.

The Menu of Options is “mix and match”, so any qualifying combination of these demonstrations for Math and English meets the graduation requirements.

Accommodations may be provided for ESS, CLD and GT students. If this applies, students should consult with the Capstone Portfolio Advisor, counselor, ESS Teacher, CLD Teacher, or GATE Teacher for more information.

Montrose County School District provides students with multiple, equally rigorous and valued pathways to demonstrate competency of the knowledge and skills necessary for postsecondary education and meaningful careers.