Graduation Requirements

Two students writing

For a complete list of DPS Graduation options, please visit College & Career.

DPS Graduation Requirements (class of 2021 and beyond)

Starting with the Class of 2021, students must complete three key requirements to earn a diploma.

  1. Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)
    • ICAP is a multi-year process that guides students and families in the exploration of career, academic and post-secondary opportunities. With the support of adults, students develop the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and skills to create their own meaningful and powerful pathways to be career and college ready. The details and requirements regarding ICAPs can be found in DPS Policy IHBK, Regulation IHBK-R and the DPS High schools Procedures Guide.Per policy IKF, students are required to have a complete and meaningful ICAP to earn their diplomas. A complete and meaningful ICAP means that a student has met all learning objectives and completed each question on the My ICAP survey in Naviance. Objectives missed by transfer students should be made up to ensure all students benefit from a complete ICAP process.
  2. Successful completion of 24 units of credit
    • Prescribed categories are listed below, including and in addition to successful completion of any school or program-specific requirements which have been approved by the District). A Unit of Credit is defined as the amount of credit earned toward graduation following demonstration of district identified competencies. Successful completion is defined as a passing grade or score.
    • Achievement in the Colorado Academic Standards as demonstrated by mastery of appropriate grade-level courses or competencies;
      Minimum Requirements for a High School Diploma:
    • Demonstration of College and Career Readiness in English and Math
      • In order to graduate from DPS, every student will demonstrate competency in English and math by completing one or more items in the competency menu below.
DepartmentUnit
English4 units
Math4 units
Science3 units
Social Studies3 units(to include .5 unit of Civics)
Physical Education1 unit
Arts or eligible CTE1 unit
Approved Electives8 unit
  1. Demonstration of College and Career Readiness in English and Math
    • In order to graduate from DPS, every student will demonstrate competency in English and math by completing one or more items in the competency menu below.

Competency Menu Options

Competency OptionEnglish Minimum ScoreMath Minimum Score
Accuplacer95 (Sentence Skills)61 (Elementary Algebra)
American College Testing (ACT)1819
ACT WorkKeys – National Career Readiness CertificateBronze or higherBronze or higher
Advanced Placement (AP)33
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)3131
Concurrent Enrollment (CE)C- or higher in eligible courseC- or higher in eligible course
District CapstoneDistrict approvedDistrict approved
Industry CertificateDistrict approvedDistrict approved
International Baccalaureate (IB)44
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)470500
Standards-based assessmentStatewide scoring criteriaStatewide scoring criteria

This menu is subject to change and revision from the state. When changes are made, the district will update its policy to ensure adherence to the state’s guidelines.


Enrollment Requirements and Application Process

Students who requesting to attend Respect Academy must:

Prospective students should arrange time to drop off the DPS enrollment packet and Respect application prior to the beginning of the quarter. Students and guardians are also encouraged to attend one of the Open House dates. Please contact the Respect main office if you have any questions at 720-423-5228.