Dear Students and Families,

As we look forward to the upcoming academic years, Washington County School District (WCSD) is committed to ensuring our graduates are prepared for the demands of the 21st-century workforce and post-secondary education. To align with new Utah State Board of Education standards and to promote academic rigor, the WCSD School Board has approved several updates to Policy 4100 (Graduation Requirements/School Credits).

We want to share these changes with you early so that you can plan your schedules effectively with your school counselors.

1. Changes for the 2026-2027 School Year: The Honors Diploma

Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the requirements for earning an Honors Diploma have been updated to emphasize college and career readiness. This diploma adds additional requirements above those of a traditional diploma. The requirements can be found on the WCSD Honors Diploma Worksheet. The Honors Diploma focuses on the following:

• Supporting students taking a rigorous and meaningful schedule: Students must complete at least 6 of the 9 requirements for Utah Tech University’s General Education (GE) Certificate. These can be Concurrent Enrollment or Advanced Placement courses.

• College Equivalency: The GE certificate is equivalent to completing the first full year of college. Because of Utah’s reciprocity agreements, these credits are transferable to any state college or university in Utah.

• Purpose: This change ensures that our Honors Diploma graduates aren’t just taking “harder” classes, but are actively earning a credential that saves them significant time and money in their future education.

2. Changes for the 2027-2028 School Year: Class of 2028 and Beyond

For students in the graduating Class of 2028, the total credits required for graduation will increase from 27 to 28.

• New Social Studies Requirement: In accordance with state law, students are now required to complete an additional .5 credit of Social Studies.

• American Government & Citizenship: To meet this requirement, the previous .5 credit “US Government” course is being replaced by a full 1.0 credit “American Government and Citizenship” course. This course provides a deeper dive into the foundations of our democracy and the responsibilities of civic life.

Why are these changes happening?

These updates are designed to encourage students to maximize their high school experience. By moving to a 28-credit standard and a more robust Honors Diploma, we are opening more doors for students to engage in:

• Concurrent Enrollment (CE) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

• CTE Pathways and industry-recognized certifications.

• Technical Programs through Dixie Tech.

• Professional Internships and career exploration.

Our goal is for every student to walk across the graduation stage with more than just a diploma, we want them to leave with a head start on their career or college degree.

Next Steps

Your school counselors are ready to help you navigate these changes. We encourage parents and students to work with their school counselor as they plan their progress toward graduation and beyond.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to provide the best possible opportunities for the students of Hurricane High School.

Sincerely,

Daniel McKeehan