Graduation Requirements

To earn a Diploma in Oregon, students must complete the required credits, satisfy Oregon’s Personalized Learning Requirements, and meet any additional requirements established for their individual diploma type or graduating class. Graduation requirements apply to students enrolled through Central Linn High School, Central Linn Online Academy, and FLEX Alternative Program.

Graduation preparation begins before ninth grade and continues throughout high school. Students and families should review progress every year because failed courses, incomplete credits, transfer records, course selections, or changes in a student’s educational plan can affect the path to graduation.

How CLHS Cobra Advisory Supports Graduation

Cobra Advisory guides students through the Personalized Learning Requirements and the graduation-planning process. During advisory, students will explore interests and careers, establish goals, update their Education Plan and Profile, document Career-Related Learning Experiences, develop the Extended Application, monitor graduation progress, and prepare for decisions about courses and postsecondary options.

Cobra Advisory provides instruction, time, tools, and adult guidance, but students must participate and complete the required activities. Advisory activities support graduation planning but do not replace required credit-bearing courses, including Personal Financial Education and Higher Education and Career Path Skills.

Students are expected to:

• Attend and participate in Cobra Advisory.
• Complete assigned planning, portfolio, and reflection activities.
• Update the Education Plan and Profile each year.
• Document Career-Related Learning Experiences.
• Complete and document the Extended Application.
• Save evidence of accomplishments, certifications, projects, and experiences.
• Review grades and credits regularly.
• Participate carefully in forecasting.
• Ask for help when a graduation requirement is unclear.
• Address failed or incomplete courses promptly.

Eighth Grade: Preparing for High School

Eighth grade is the bridge into high school. Students learn how credits, transcripts, graduation requirements, forecasting, and high school course sequences work. They also begin developing the plan that will guide their transition into ninth grade.

Eighth-Grade Checklist

• Learn the requirements for earning an Oregon Diploma.
• Understand that high school grades and credits become part of the official transcript.
• Learn how semester credits are earned.
• Participate fully in Cobra Advisory.
• Update the Education Plan and Profile.
• Identify personal interests, strengths, values, and areas for growth.
• Explore several careers and career clusters.
• Learn about CLHS, CLOA, FLEX, and other available educational options.
• Review core courses, electives, arts, and CTE pathways.
• Learn about prerequisites and required course sequences.
• Develop a tentative four-year high school plan.
• Complete ninth-grade forecasting carefully.
• Develop reliable attendance, organization, and assignment-completion habits.
• Learn how to check grades and request help.
• Attend high school orientation and transition activities.
• Review the ninth-grade schedule before school begins.

By the End of Eighth Grade

Students should have:

• An updated Education Plan and Profile.
• A tentative four-year high school plan.
• A completed ninth-grade forecasting request.
• A basic understanding of credits and transcripts.
• Several possible career or postsecondary interests to explore.
• A plan for accessing help and support in high school.

Freshman Year: Earning the First High School Credits

Freshman year begins the official high school transcript. The primary goals are to attend consistently, pass scheduled courses, establish strong learning habits, and ask for help before academic difficulties result in lost credit.

Freshman Checklist

• Review the class schedule and four-year plan.
• Understand how grades and credits are recorded.
• Check grades and missing work regularly.
• Attend and participate consistently.
• Ask for help before falling significantly behind.
• Use available intervention, tutoring, accommodations, or academic support.
• Complete all scheduled courses.
• Develop a recovery plan immediately for any failed or incomplete course.
• Participate fully in Cobra Advisory.
• Update the Education Plan and Profile.
• Explore interests, strengths, aptitudes, and possible careers.
• Begin documenting Career-Related Learning Experiences.
• Save meaningful projects, accomplishments, awards, and certifications.
• Learn about CTE pathways, arts courses, advanced courses, dual credit, and electives.
• Participate in school, community, volunteer, employment, or enrichment activities when possible.
• Review progress before forecasting for sophomore year.
• Select sophomore courses that satisfy requirements and preserve multiple future options.

End-of-Freshman-Year Review

• Review the transcript for accuracy.
• Confirm that expected credits were earned.
• Identify any credit that must be recovered.
• Update the four-year graduation plan.
• Add accomplishments and experiences to the Education Plan and Profile.
• Confirm that sophomore courses support graduation progress.

Sophomore Year: Strengthening the Graduation Plan

Sophomore year is a time for deeper exploration and more purposeful course selection. Students should continue earning required credits while learning more about CTE pathways, advanced coursework, college credit, careers, apprenticeships, military service, employment, and other postsecondary opportunities.

Sophomore Checklist

• Review the transcript and graduation progress at the beginning of the year.
• Confirm that freshman credits were earned and recorded correctly.
• Recover missing credits as soon as possible.
• Monitor grades throughout both semesters.
• Continue making progress in every required credit area.
• Review progress toward the CTE, arts, or world-language requirement.
• Participate fully in Cobra Advisory.
• Update the Education Plan and Profile.
• Complete and document Career-Related Learning Experiences.
• Begin a résumé or activity record.
• Record volunteer service, employment, leadership, certifications, and awards.
• Research careers through speakers, interviews, visits, projects, or job shadows.
• Learn about the education, training, licensing, wages, and working conditions connected to careers of interest.
• Explore AP, CTE, dual-credit, Expanded Options, and other advanced opportunities.
• Identify possible Extended Application topics.
• Review prerequisites before junior-year forecasting.
• Consider summer employment, volunteering, internships, or career exploration.
• Select junior courses that support graduation and future goals.

End-of-Sophomore-Year Review

• Review the transcript for accuracy.
• Confirm that the student remains on track to graduate.
• Complete or schedule recovery of missing credits.
• Update the four-year graduation plan.
• Identify remaining diploma requirements.
• Update the résumé and Education Plan and Profile.
• Document completed Career-Related Learning Experiences.
• Identify possible Extended Application topics.
• Confirm that junior courses preserve appropriate postsecondary options.

Junior Year: Confirming the Path to Graduation

Junior year is the final full year before senior graduation planning. Students should finish junior year knowing exactly which credits and requirements remain, what must be completed during senior year, and what steps are required for the student’s preferred postsecondary options.

Junior Checklist

• Complete a detailed transcript and graduation review.
• Verify that previously earned credits are recorded correctly.
• Identify every remaining diploma requirement.
• Address failed, incomplete, or missing credits immediately.
• Monitor grades and credit progress throughout the year.
• Confirm completion or scheduling of Personal Financial Education.
• Confirm completion or scheduling of Higher Education and Career Path Skills.
• Confirm completion or scheduling of U.S. Civics.
• Review progress toward the CTE, arts, or world-language requirement.
• Participate fully in Cobra Advisory.
• Update the Education Plan and Profile.
• Complete and document Career-Related Learning Experiences.
• Select, plan, or substantially develop the Extended Application.
• Maintain evidence of Extended Application work.
• Update the résumé, activity record, and portfolio.
• Research colleges, community colleges, apprenticeships, trade programs, military options, and employers.
• Review admission prerequisites and application requirements.
• Learn about FAFSA, ORSAA, Oregon Promise, scholarships, grants, work-study, and student loans.
• Identify possible scholarship sources.
• Determine whether testing, portfolios, auditions, interviews, or placement activities may be required.
• Visit colleges, training programs, employers, unions, or apprenticeship programs when possible.
• Identify adults who may provide references or recommendations.
• Verify dual-credit records.
• Develop a primary postsecondary plan and at least one alternative.
• Forecast carefully for senior year.
• Confirm that the senior schedule includes every remaining graduation requirement.

End-of-Junior-Year Review

Before leaving for summer, students should have:

• A current and accurate graduation review.
• A complete list of credits and requirements remaining for senior year.
• A senior schedule designed to complete those requirements.
• A plan for summer credit recovery, if needed.
• An updated Education Plan and Profile.
• Documented Career-Related Learning Experiences.
• A clear plan for completing the Extended Application.
• An updated résumé or activity record.
• A primary postsecondary plan and at least one backup plan.
• A list of anticipated senior-year applications, financial-aid tasks, and deadlines.

Who Can Help?

• Academic advisor: Graduation requirements, forecasting, graduation reviews, course planning, credit recovery, and postsecondary preparation.
• Registrar: Transcripts, transfer credits, enrollment records, and corrections to the academic record.
• Case manager: IEP transition planning, accommodations, special education services, and individualized diploma considerations.
• Cobra Advisory teacher: Education Plan and Profile, Career-Related Learning Experiences, Extended Application, portfolio work, and goal setting.
• Classroom teacher: Course progress, missing assignments, assessments, and plans for successful completion.
• CLOA or FLEX staff: Program-specific instruction, participation, documentation, and graduation requirements.

Students and families should not wait until senior year to address missing credits or incomplete Personalized Learning Requirements. Annual review and early intervention provide the strongest opportunity for students to graduate on time with meaningful choices for what comes next.