Graduation (Diploma) Seals of Achievement
Students meeting specific requirements for graduation and demonstrating exemplary performance may receive diploma seals for recognition. VDOE makes available to local school divisions the following seals:
Governor's Seal – Awarded to students who complete the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of "B" or better, and successfully complete college-level coursework that will earn the student at least nine transferable college credits in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge, or dual enrollment courses.
Board of Education Seal – Awarded to students who complete the requirements for a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of "A" beginning with the ninth-grade class of 2006-2007 and beyond.
Board of Education's Career & Technical Education Seal – Awarded to students who:
- earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and complete a prescribed sequence of courses in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that they choose and maintain a "B" or better average in those courses
- OR pass an examination or an occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education concentration or specialization that confers certification or occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, trade or professional association
- OR acquire a professional license in that career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Board of Education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements.
Board of Education's Advanced Mathematics & Technology Seal – Awarded to students who earn either a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and satisfy all of the mathematics requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma (four units of credit including Algebra II; two verified units of credit) with a "B" average or better; and either
- pass an examination in a career and technical education field that confers certification from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association
- OR acquire a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia
- OR pass an examination approved by the board that confers college-level credit in a technology or computer science area.
The Board of Education shall approve all professional licenses and examinations used to satisfy these requirements.
Board of Education's Excellence in Civics Education Seal – Awarded to students who meet each of the following four criteria:
- Satisfy the requirement to earn a Modified Standard Diploma, a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma
- Complete Virginia & United States History and Virginia & United States Government courses with a grade of "B" or higher
- Complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities, such as volunteering for a charitable or religious organization that provides services to the poor, sick or less fortunate; participating in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or similar youth organizations; participating in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC); participating in political campaigns, government internships, Boys State, Girls State or Model General Assembly; and participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities that have a civics focus. Any student who enlists in the United States military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met this community service requirement.
- Have good attendance and no disciplinary infractions as determined by local school board policies.
Local school divisions may award other diploma seals or awards for exceptional academic, CTE, citizenship or other exemplary performance in accordance with criteria defined by the local school board. The design, production and use of those seals is the responsibility of the local school boards awarding the seal.
Resources
- Superintendent's Memo # 101-13, April 12, 2013 – includes Diploma Seal Request Form
- 2006 Standards of Accreditation (PDF), information on seals requirements took effect with the ninth-grade class of 2006-2007 and beyond
- Board of Education Approved Industry Certifications, Occupational Competency Assessments & Licensures
- Competency Assessments & Licensures (PDF)
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