Graduation Requirements

A minimum of eighteen (18) classroom credits is required to graduate from The Lowell Whiteman School. A minimum of sixteen credits must be earned in the fields of English, math, social studies, science, and foreign language (traditional “academics”). One credit must be earned in the arts and one in the field of computers. One credit is given for each course passed with a year grade of 60% or better. In order to earn an LWS diploma, students must attend a minimum of three and one-half years of high school (ninth grade and higher).

Specific graduation requirements include:

• Four full-year credits in English

• Full-year credits in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II

• Full-year credits in World History, Geography and U.S. History

• Full-year credits in Biology and Chemistry

• Two full-year credits in a foreign language (Students must complete Level 2 of their language.)

• A full-year credit in the arts (art, photography, music, dance, drama, or film)

• A full-year credit in Computers (Qualified students may test out of this requirement.)

In addition to its graduation requirements, LWS requires that:

• All students be enrolled in English while they are at LWS.

• All students participate in either the LWS Activities/Global Immersion Studies program or the Competitive Ski/Snowboard Program.

• All students participate in the camping program.

• Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors be enrolled in math.

• Students be enrolled in a minimum of four academic courses at all times. (Exceptions may exist for high-level ski or snowboard competitors who miss a considerable number of school days.)

Higher Education Admission Requirements 
“The Colorado Commission on Higher Education adopted the Higher Education Admission Requirements which are entry requirements for students planning to attend any of Colorado’s public four-year colleges or universities. The requirements go into effect in two phases: Phase 1 for students graduating in 2008 and 2009, and Phase 2 for students graduating in 2010 and beyond. Private colleges and universities set their own admission standards, so students should contact those institutions directly for information regarding their enrollment policies.”  From the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.

Higher Education Admission Requirements for Colorado Public Four-Year Colleges:

Academic Area	2008/2009 Graduates	2010+ Graduates
English	4 years	4 years
Mathematics (Must include Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or equivalents)	3 years	4 years
Natural/Physical Sciences (two units must be lab-based)	3 years	3 years
Social Sciences (at least one unit of U.S. or world history)	3 years	3 years
Foreign Language	not required	1 year
Academic Electives	2 years	2years