Generally, students will be required to complete the necessary course work and graduate from high school at the end of grade twelve. Students may graduate prior to this time if they meet the minimum graduation requirements stated in board policy.
A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a student and will become an alumnus of the school district unless an activity or event has been approved by the high school principal or activities director. However, the student who graduates early may participate in commencement exercises.
NOTE: This is a mandatory policy. School districts do not have the authority to limit when a student may graduate early. Students can graduate early whenever they meet the school district’s graduation requirements. It is recommended that when a student graduates early, the student either gets the diploma or a notice from the school district that the student has graduated. The board should determine in policy how an early graduate will be treated after the student graduates. The board should determine whether the early graduate will be allowed to participate in activities and, if so, which activities.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(5);.5.
Approved: 2/10/1997 Reviewed: 03/18/2024 Revised: 03/18/2024