Academics

Procedures and Practices for High School Graduation

This document outlines Findlay City Schools’ procedures and practices to ensure that all students meet the requirements for high school graduation. It addresses credit accumulation, state testing, individualized education program (IEP) considerations, and documentation protocols. The goal is to provide clear guidance to staff, students, and families to support a consistent, compliant, and equitable graduation process.

→Graduation Requirements (as detailed in the sections above)

Part 1: Academic Credits
Students must complete all required coursework and earn the minimum number of credits as defined by Ohio and Findlay City Schools.

Part 2: Show Competency
Students must demonstrate competency, typically by earning a passing score on the Algebra I and English II End-of-Course (EOC) exams, or by completing an approved alternative assessment.

Part 3: Show Readiness
Students must earn at least two graduation seals, with at least one being state-defined, to demonstrate readiness for college, career, or military pathways.

→State Testing and IEP Exemptions

Required EOC Exams

All students attending Findlay City Schools must attempt the following EOCs:

• Algebra I

• Geometry

• English II

• Biology

• American History

• American Government

Exemption Guidelines

• Exemptions apply only to the testing requirement, not to credit or other graduation requirements.

• Eligibility is determined individually; disability category alone does not dictate exemption.

• A student with an IEP or documented disability may be exempt from one or more EOCs if:

  • They have received appropriate remediation and multiple opportunities to retest, and

  • An IEP/ETR team determines that the student’s disability prevents attainment of the minimum test score, even with accommodations and supports

• Documentation must be completed in the PR-01 and IEP amendment, specifying the exempted EOC(s) and including justification connecting the student’s disability to the testing outcome.

• Progress toward graduation, including test results, must be recorded in the student’s profile.

Graduation Plans

• A graduation plan is developed for each student by grade 9 and updated annually.

• Plans clearly outline:

  • Credits earned and credits remaining

  • EOC test results

  • Graduation seals earned and still required

Semester grades and credits are granted at the end of each semester.

Your semester grade is calculated by the following formula:

GPA is calculated on a 4-point scale and all credits earned.
To calculate your GPA, use the following point system:

Divide your total points earned by the total credits attempted to determine your semester GPA.
Cumulative GPAs are calculated and recorded on your high school transcript at the end of each semester.

Distinguished: 3.75 and above with no grade below a C. No WD/F or Incomplete Grades.

Merit: 3.25 - 3.74 with no grades below a C. No WD/F or Incomplete Grades.

A/B: Any combination of all A’s or B’s. No WD/F or Incomplete Grades.

Ohio offers several Honors Diploma options: Academic, International Baccalaureate, Career Tech, STEM, Arts, and Social Science & Civic Engagement. Most FHS students pursuing an Honors Diploma aim for the Academic Honors Diploma.
For more information, visit ODE Honors Diplomas.

Academic Honors Diploma - OLD Requirements
*Only students in the class of 2023, 2024, and 2025 may use these requirements
**Students must meet all but one of the following criteria to qualify

Academic Honors Diploma (NEW Requirements)
*Students in the class of 2026 and beyond must use these requirements to qualify
**Students in the class of 2023, 2024, and 2025

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Honors are determined using several criteria as listed below:

• Must attend Findlay High School no less than 2 years.
   

• Highest GPA within the grade-level class
   

• 26 minimum credits (a minimum of 5 AP, CCP, or a combination of the two, totaling at least 5 credits)
   

• Highest composite/superscored composted on the ACT as of February test in year of graduation 

  • If there is a tie: highest composite SAT as of the March test in the year of graduation, second place SAT is Salutatorian. If tied on ACT and SAT, multiple Valedictorians will be recognized and no Salutatorian. If tied for Salutatorian, tiebreaker is SAT as of the March test in the year of graduation. If still tied, multiple Salutatorians will be recognized.
     

• Middle school classes taken for high school credit will be included in the calculation of a student’s GPA.
   

• Outside of Valedictorian and Salutatorian, students attaining a 4.0 cumulative GPA will be ranked by ACT composite/superscore composite as of the February test in the year of graduation. 

  • If there is a tie, they will hold the same ranking.
     

• Class rank will be calculated for the first time after the end of junior year. 

The CCP Checklist is not a required document but rather a tool to assist students throughout the CCP process. We recommend that students reference the CCP Checklist to ensure that they are completing the necessary steps for CCP enrollment. Additionally, if the college/university shares any documents related to the application process, we will share them here for students/families.

CCP Checklist 2026-2027

CCP Courses Offered at Findlay High School

CCP Quick Sheet: College/University Information

Owens Community College - Application Steps

Rhodes State College - Application Steps

University of Findlay - Application Steps

University of Findlay - Course Selection Sheet

Additional CCP Resources:

The following resources are made available for your reference as needed. For additional questions or support, please contact your School Counselor.

ODE CCP Mature Content Permission Slip

OHSAA CCP Eligibility Worksheet

Option A and Option B Guidance

Requesting CCP College Transcripts 

Selective Service Registration

Financial Aid for College/FAFSA Presentation
This presentation was given by a financial aid representative from BGSU. The information was current and accurate as of 10/2/2025. 

Community Foundation Presentation
This presentation was presented by a representative from the FHS Counseling Department on 10/2/25 regarding The Community Foundation scholarship application. The application opens on 12/3/25 and can be found here.

FHS Counseling Updates
This presentation was given by a representative from the FHS Counseling Department on 10/2/25. It covers topics such as: The Common Application, high school transcripts/CCP transcripts, letters of recommendation, registering for selective service, scholarships, college visits, and ACT/SAT dates.

ACT: ACT Website

• All US Colleges Accept
• Tests: Reading, English, Math, Science
• Time: 2 hr 55 min + (optional) 40 min Essay
• Composite Scores (no writing): 1- 36
• All Sections Multiple Choice
• No Penalty for Guessing
• Only Correct Answers Scored
• Approx. Cost without Writing: $50.50

SAT: SAT Website

• All US Colleges Accept
• Tests: Reading, Writing, Language, Math
• Time: 3 hr + (optional) 50 min Essay
• Composite Scores (no writing): 400-1600
• Most Sections Multiple Choice
• No Penalty for Guessing
• Only Correct Answers Scored
• Approx. Cost without Writing: $47.5

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