Graduation Requirements and Additional Credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The B.C. Certificate of Graduation, or Dogwood Diploma, is awarded to students who successfully complete the provincial graduation requirements. To graduate, students require at least 80 credits total.

Of these 80 credits:

  • Credits are required from the following requirements:
    • Physical and Health Education 10 (4 credits)
    • Science 10 (4 credits), and a Science 11 or 12 (4 credits)
    • Social Studies 10 (4 credits), and a Social Studies 11 or 12 (4 credits)
    • A Math 10 (4 credits), and a Math 11 or 12 course (4 credits)
    • A Language Arts 10, 11, and a required 12 course (4 credits required at each grade, 12 credits total)
    • An Arts Education 10, 11, or 12 and/or an Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies 10, 11, or 12 (4 credits total)
    • Career Life Education (4 credits)
    • A course that meets the Indigenous-Focused graduation requirement (4 credits)
  • At least 16 credits must be at the Grade 12 level, including a required Language Arts 12 course and Career Life Connections

In addition, students must also complete three graduation assessments:

  • The Grade 10 Graduation Numeracy Assessment
  • The Grade 10 Graduation Literacy Assessment
  • The Grade 12 Graduation Literacy Assessment

Additional Credits

External Course Credit

Credit may be given for Ministry-authorized learning activities developed and/or offered outside the B.C. school system that meet graduation program requirements. Some examples include: specific certificates in music, dance, languages, sport, Cadets, 4H, Guides, Scouts, water safety, Occupational First Aid levels 2 & 3, computer certification, ICBC driver education, Pony Club, flight training, boating, and fitness leader credentials. See your counsellor for more information.

Equivalency Policy

This process recognizes documented learning from outside the school system which the school district deems equivalent to the learning outcomes of Ministry developed or board authorized Grade 10, 11 or 12 level courses.

The guide to determine equivalency is approximately an 80% match of learning outcomes. An example would be credit for Japanese 11 when the student’s first language of instruction in Japan was documented as being in Japanese to a grade 8 level.

Challenge For Credit

What is the purpose of “Challenge for Credit?” The purpose is to permit students to obtain full credits for Grades 10, 11 and 12 courses because they have already acquired the appropriate learning elsewhere, but do not have a certificate or documentation as proof of learning. Challenge is not envisioned as a replacement for the valuable experience students gain by learning in a classroom setting.

How can a student achieve credit through Challenge for Credit? All challenges are provided by the The Link. Students need to meet with a Mount Douglas counsellor, who will provide the information needed.

Independent Directed Studies (IDS)

IDS credits may be granted to students who achieve learning outcomes either independently or beyond those normally taught in the classroom setting. For example, credit may be granted for IDS Information and Computer Technology 11 for an independent program of website development.

Students need to speak with a school counsellor for more details about which particular credits are possible, and how they are to be achieved.

Distributed Learning & Summer School Courses

If you attend Summer School or complete a distributing learning course, please be certain to contact the Counselling Department and verify that your marks have been recorded.