Course Planning

The following guidelines are to be utilized as a guide for required Service to Community hours for graduation from the North Kansas City Schools.
1. Service to Community is volunteer work for which no other credit or monetary compensation is received. It is recommended that the work should be for a not-for-profit organization.
2. Twenty (20) Service to Community hours are required for graduation from each district high school. A student will not participate in graduation ceremonies or receive a diploma if he or she has not performed twenty (20) Service to Community hours.
3. In general, the following types of activities will qualify for the Service to Community requirements:
• Charitable activities for non-profit organizations
• Individual student tutoring (A+ Peer Tutoring Program or under the direct supervision of a teacher outside
the regular school hours)
• Civic activities sponsored by clubs, Parks and Recreations, Chambers of Commerce, businesses, churches,
schools, hospitals, residential care facilities and other community groups
• Activities of school–sponsored clubs that benefit the community, such as school-based Booster Clubs

Additional Requirements for Gold Medallion Honors Diploma

• Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 grade or above, including college credit courses.
• Perform at or above the 85th percentile on an 11th or 12th grade national standardized academic test (ACT or SAT).
• Within the 26 required credits, 8 or more must be in Honors, Dual Credit, or AP courses.
• Algebra I, Honors Geometry, and Global Language taken in middle school will count towards Gold Medallion.
• Participate in 100 hours of community service, tutoring, or mentoring.
• Complete School to Career experiences through student’s chosen Pathway.
• Successful completion of AP Seminar with a grade of B or above each semester.
• Develop a comprehensive portfolio with examples of best work, extracurricular participation, and reflection.
Gold Medallion Honors Diploma candidates may appeal to the principal for a waiver in extreme situations. The
intent, however, is to keep the diploma standards high. Planning ahead is essential and should begin during the 9th
grade year. Exhibition and required preparation semesters may not be waived.
Note: Seniors must successfully complete all graduation requirements prior to participation in graduations
ceremonies.

Additional requirements for AP Capstone Diploma
• Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™
• Students must fulfill all requirements of the Career/College Readiness Diploma.
Note: Seniors must successfully complete all graduation requirements prior to participation in graduation ceremonies.

Want to learn more?

Talk to Mrs. Warner or your Counselor