1. Beginning with this year's freshmen class, students will remain in school all day their senior year. Outside school opportunities will include SLU, the Literacy Center, Hammond Area Technical college, or any other Technical School.

2. Elimination of the Valedictorian label. In its place will be:

 a. Graduating "With Great Honor" GPA 4.0-3.75

 b. Graduating "With Honor" GPA  3.749-3.5

 c. Students of Distinction- special recognition for students with Academic or Career Technical Endorsements.

State of Louisiana Requirements for High School Graduation

* Pass the English Language Arts and Mathematics portions of the GEE21

* Pass either the Sience or Social Studies portion of the GEE21

* English I, II, III, and IV, in consecutive order

* Mathematics (3 units) One must be Algebra I, two units from the following: Geometry, Algebra II, Finacial Math, Advanced Math, College Algebra, or Calculus

* Science (3 units) One must be Biology, One unit from the following: Physical Science, Chemistry or Physics, and one unit from: Biology II or Environmental Science. Two units of Agriscience can be counted as one science credit.

* Social Studies (3 units) American History, one-half unit of Civics and Free Enterprise, and World Geography

* Health 1/2 Unit

* Physical Education 1 1/2 units (A maximum of 4 units may be used toward graduation)

* Electives (8 units) It is recommended that 4 of these be in an area of concentration with a sequence of related specialty courses plus one related technical course.

ACT Scores

* Students test for the first time either at the end of the Sophmore year or the beginning of the Junior year.

* TOPS requires the current state average, 20 at the present time.

* Tops Tech requires a composite of 17.

* University Requirements:

     20 or better: McNeese, Nichols, NSU, SLU, ULM, LSUA, LSUS, SU, GU.

     23 or better: La. Tech, ULL, UNO.

     25 or better: LSU.

Academic Diploma Endorsement

1. Meet all the requirements for a standard diploma

2. Complete TOPS Opportunity Core plus one core course

3. Pass all 4 components of the GEE21 with Basic or Above

4. Meet the current GPA for TOPS Opportunity (currently 2.5)

5. Score at least a 23 on the ACT

6. Complete 3 hours of articulated credit hours in a core curriculum subject

Technical Diploma Endorsement

1. Meet the requirements for a standard diploma

2. Complete the TOPS Oppurtunity Core curriculum of the TOPS Tech Core Curriculum

3. Complete a career area of concentration (4 elective credits in an area of concentration and 2 related elective credits in an area of concentration and 2 related elective credits including 1 computed-related unit)

4. Pass all 4 components of the GEE21

5. Meet the current GPA for TOPS or TOPS Tech (currently 2.5)

6. Meet current ACT for TOPS (20) or TOPS Tech (17 or 19)

7. Complete a minimum of 90 work-based learning hours

8. Earn 3 college hours in a career/technical area that articulates to a post-secondary institution

9. Earn an Industry-based Certification