Graduation Requirements
Fort Wayne Community Schools believes in helping all of our students get to graduation day, exceed the minimum requirements and be prepared for what comes next, whether that is Employment, Enlistment, Enrollment or Entrepreneurship. We are also committed to helping our students and their families better understand the process.
Schools Of Success Timeline
Elementary Years (pre-K - grade 5):
Students begin to have guaranteed experiences in pre-K and continue each year introducing them to careers and pathways while learning their A,B,C's and 1,2,3's. As they grow, so do the experiences.
Middle School Years (grades 6 - 8):
Students delve more deeply into their futures in the College & Career Readiness class as well as middle school guaranteed experiences. Career fairs with local business partners and trips to the Jim Kelley Career Center and Junior Achievements Finance Park really get students focused on their next steps. This is when students start to form a preliminary graduation plan that not only grows with them, but can change as their interests do.
Graduation requirements are introduced at Freshman Orientation during students' 8th-grade year, where families have an opportunity to speak with counselors and high school staff to get questions answered.
Have a question?
High School Years (grades 9 - 12)
Year 1
Kicks off the summer before with Freshman Transition Day where 9th graders have the school to themselves for the day to visit the campus and get to know the building. They are also introduced split into small learning communities called freshman houses where staff use teaming to get to know their new students.
Once the school year starts, freshmen discover their interests and build real-world skills through the Freshman Seminar course powered by 3DE as well as continuing with guaranteed experiences and more intense pathway planning because this year they choose the paths they want to try with the help of our school counselors and teachers.
Years 2 & 3
Sophomores step into their chosen School of Success, aligning academics with their chosen pathways in small learning environments. They start their pathway classes and see if it's a good fit for them. Students have the opportunity to switch pathways at this time as well.
Students continue to build their community connections in their sophomore and junior seminar classes while exploring entrepreneurship.
Students in their junior year who have chosen to go off-campus at the FWCS Career Academy start attending half-day classes.
Year 4
Students spend their last year with us getting ready for their next steps whether that is Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment or Entreprenuership. Students have capstone options of Amp Lab, AP & Dual Credit Classes, Work-Based Learning or Cooperative Education. With so many options, our Schools of Success offer a path for everyone and many students will leave our schools with multiple college credits, certifications, experiences and connections, ready for the day after graduation.
Two Paths Leading To Graduation
Currently our high schools have students on two sets of graduation requirements due to the changes made at the state level in December of 2024.
Class of 2026-2028
Graduation requirements for the classes of 2026-2028 come from the Indiana Graduation Pathways. To graduate, students must complete one item from each section.
1. Earn credits necessary for a High School Diploma
- Core 40 - minimum 40 Credits
- Core 40 with Academic Honors - minimum 47 credits
- Core 40 with Technical Honors - minimum 47 credits
- General - minimum 40 credits
2. Learn and Demonstrate Employability Skills
- Project-Based Learning
- Service-Based Learning
- Work-Based Learning
- Work Products
3. Demonstrate Postsecondary-Ready Competencies
- Honors Diploma
- SAT, ACT or ASVAB
- Industry Recognized Certification
- Apprenticeship
- CTE Concentrator
- AP/IB/Dual Credit/Cambridge International/CLEP
- Locally Created Pathway
Class of 2029 & Beyond
Starting with the class of 2029, the new Indiana Diploma and Readiness Seals are designed to prepare our students for the future. Through our partnership with 3DE and the design of our Schools of Success model, FWCS students are intentionally being provided opportunities and experiences that align with earning at least one Honors Seal.
1. Earn credits necessary for a High School Diploma
- New Indiana Diploma - 42 Credits
2. Earn a Readiness Seal
- Enrollment Seal
- Enrollment Honors Plus Seal
- Employment Seal
- Employment Honors Plus Seal
- Enlistment & Service Seal
- Enlistment Honors Plus Seal
OR
Complete Steps 2 & 3 of Indiana Graduation Pathways
What is a Readiness Seal?
The seals are designed by the state to give students flexibility in their educational experience to achieve their individual goals. Students can earn readiness seals by completing the following:
- Enrollment Honors Seal
- Enrollment Honors Plus Seal
- Employment Honors Seal
- Employment Honors Seal Plus
- Enlistment & Service Honors Seal
- Enlistment & Service Honors Seal Plus