COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRADUATION GUIDELINES FOR 2022 AND BEYOND

Graduation Guidelines

In addition to 22 credits, students must have completed their ICAP and demonstrate mastery of English and Mathematics through a menu of options.

Mastery does not have to be within the same area. For example, a student can earn a 3 on their AP English test and then demonstrate mastery of math through their capstone.

 

Graduator 1

Graduator 2

Graduator 3

Graduator 4

The graduation requirements look different from classes in previous years.

These graduation requirements, adopted by our Board of Education, reinforce the importance of APS 2026, the district's strategic plan. One of the goals of APS 2026 is for students to earn credentials that open doors. Students will demonstrate college and career readiness by earning the required credentials below.


Step 1: Students must complete the graduation requirements for their high school. A minimum of 22 units of credit are required.

These credits are accrued during each school year. The classes students have each year should align with the type of course credits needed for graduation.

STEP 2: Students complete the Individual Career & Academic Plan (ICAP) process.

The ICAP is a personalized career and academic planning process. Students must consult with their high school counselors to set career and academic goals and create plans to achieve them.

Students in Aurora Public Schools have a PLAN for their future, a set of SKILLSto implement their plan, CREDENTIALS that open doors to opportunities, and a COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT to assist them in bringing their plans to life.

Elementary (K-5)

CAREER EXPOSURE, SELF-KNOWLEDGE, & TRANSITIONING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL.

  • Exposure to College & Career ideas

  • Parent Awareness

  • Essential Skills Development

  • Digital Badge Credentials

  • Social-Emotional Learning

  • Digital Portfolio Development

  • ICAPs

  • 3rd Grade College Hangout

  • 3rd Grade Career Hangout

  • Young Ameritowne

  • 5th Grade College Experience

Middle (6-8)

STUDENTS FOCUS ON SELF-EXPLORATION AND TRANSITIONING TO HIGH SCHOOL.

  • Exposure and Access to College & Career opportunities

  • Parent Awareness

  • Essential Skills Development & Recognition

  • Digital Badge Credentials

  • Social-Emotional Learning

  • Digital Portfolio Development

  • 7th-grade Finance Park

  • ICAPs

  • 8th Grade Career Trek

High (9-12)

EVERY STUDENT GRADUATES WITH A PLAN THAT THEY CAN ACCESS WITH SUPPORT.

  • Exposure and Access to College & Career

  • Parent Engagement (FAFSA)

  • Essential Skills Development & Recognition

  • Digital Badge Credentials

  • ICAPs

  • Digital Portfolio Development

  • Rigorous Coursework

  • Concurrent Enrollment

  • ASCENT

Step 3: Students must successfully demonstrate competency in Reading, Writing, Communications, and Mathematics.

Students must demonstrate at least one of the district-adopted measures in both Reading, Writing, & Communicating, and Mathematics. The "Menu of Opportunities" lists the various ways students can demonstrate competency within a specific subject area.