Pathway to Graduation

Your Path to Graduation Starts Here

Graduation is a milestone worth celebrating. As seniors prepare for this special day, we’ve gathered the key information you’ll need to get ready—dates, times, and everything in between.

Explore Graduation Details & Senior Announcements →

Pathway to Graduation: Steps for Graduating

1. Choose a Diploma Track

At the start of high school, students are placed on a diploma track. The track shows which classes to take, GPA goals to aim for, and testing or credit requirements to finish before graduation. If plans change later on, students can sit down with a Student Services Advisor and update their track so it fits better.

Please refer to our Course Catalogs for the specific requirements for these diplomas:

Standard diploma
Honors diploma
STEM diploma

2. Standardized Testing (ACT/ PSAT/SAT)

2. Post-Graduate Pathway

Choose a pathway for post-graduation that works best for you. Here are some options to consider:

College/University

College or University

Enroll in a 2-year (community college/associate degree) or 4-year (university/bachelor’s degree) program.

Pros

Greater career flexibility
Campus resources
Internship opportunities

Considerations

Higher Costs
Longer timeline

Learn more about preparing for college →

Trade School or Certification

Hands-on training or industry certificate (Cosmetology, Culinary, IT certs, electrician, welder, HVAC).

Pros

Faster entry to workforce
Often higher demanded jobs
Lower tuition costs

Considerations

Career mobility can be narrower than a degree
Upfront fees for exams/equipment

Learn more about preparing for trade school →

Military Service

Enlistment in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force

Pros

Tuition Assistance
Healthcare Benefits
Career Training

Considerations

Commitment Requirements
Physical/Eligibility standards

Learn more about Military →

Career Path

Start working immediately in entry-level roles, apprenticeships, or internships

Pros

Earning income immediately
Building experience & Networking

Considerations

Limited advancement without further training
Some jobs require specific training or certifications
Starting salaries may be lower in comparison

Learn more about Career Readiness→

4. Apply for Scholarships/ Financial Aid

Money for college doesn’t just come from one place. Scholarships and financial aid are out there, but you have to look for them. Students should start as early as 10th grade, then keep searching and applying through junior and senior year. Most applications open later, so keeping track of deadlines and staying organized gives students a better shot at getting help with costs.

Learn more Scholarships and Financial aid →

5. Apply for Colleges/Universities

By junior and senior year, it’s time to apply. Students should pick the schools they’re most interested in and get applications submitted before the deadlines. Don’t forget to request transcripts and double-check that everything is turned in. Choosing a school is a big decision, so it’s worth looking closely at programs, costs, and opportunities.

Learn more about preparing for college →

6. Buy Cap & Gown

7. Pay all Your Fees

Graduation Requirements

BCLA students will meet and exceed the Future-Ready Core requirements to ensure they are prepared for the globally competitive workforce and post-secondary education.

Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy offers three different diploma tracks for students to choose from. Please see below for the graduation requirements of each track.

BCLA Classical Graduation Diploma

BCLA requires 24 credits for graduation. Minimum requirements in the content areas below are as follows:

Subject	Diploma
English English I, English II, English III, English IV	4 credits
Math Math 1/Algebra I , Math 2/Geometry, Math 3/Algebra II, one more additional math course	4 credits
Science Earth Science, Biology, and a Phsycial Science	3 credits
History & Social Studies World History, Founding Principles of the US & NC: Civic Literacy, American History, Economics & Personal Finance	4 credits
Physical Education	1 credit
CTE/Fine Arts /Language 2.0 Foreign Language credits are required for university entrance	2 credit
Leadership & Entrepreneurship	1 credit
Computer Science (students entering 9th grade 2024-2025)	1 credits
Electives	4 credits
Total Credits:	24 credits

BCLA Honors Diploma

Students who wish to graduate with an Honors Diploma must:

Graduate with a 3.8 cumulative weighted GPA
Complete 8 core classes at an Honors, CCP, or AP level

Subject	Diploma
English English I, English II, English III, English IV	4 credits
Math Math 1/Algebra I , Math 2/Geometry, Math 3/Algebra II, one more additional math course	4 credits
Science Earth Science, Biology, and a Phsycial Science, and one more science	4 credits
History & Social Studies World History, Founding Principles of the US & NC: Civic Literacy, American History, Economics & Personal Finance	4 credits
Physical Education	1 credit
CTE/Fine Arts	1 credit
Leadership & Entrepreneurship	1 credit
Foreign Language	2 credits
Senior Seminar	2 credit
Computer Science (students entering 9th grade 2024-2025)	1 credits
Electives	1 credit
Total Credits:	24 credits

BCLA Stem Diploma

Students who wish to graduate with a STEM Diploma must:

Graduate with a 3.8 cumulative weighted GPA
Complete 8 core classes at an Honors, CCP, or AP level

STEM - *additional 2 science and 1 math classes may include CTE, technology, and STEM-related courses at BCLA and/or partner college.

Subject	Diploma
English English I, English II, English III, AP Lit, AP Lang, DE English	4 credits
Math Math 1/Algebra I , Math 2/Geometry, Math 3/Algebra II, two additional math courses (One must be from the math department and one can be from Appendix A in the course catalog)*	5 credits
Science Earth Science, Biology, and a Physical Science, two additional science courses*	5 credits
History & Social Sciences World History, Founding Principles of the US & NC: Civic Literacy, American History, Economics & Personal Finance	4 credits
Physical Education	1 credit
CTE/Fine Arts	1 credit
Leadership/Entreprenuership	1 credit
Foreign Language	2 credits
Computer Science (students entering 9th grade 2024-2025)	1 credit
Electives	1 credits
Total Credits:	25 credits

Graduation Recognitions

Valedictorian

The Valedictorian is an honor granted to the member of the graduating class who has the highest weighted GPA*.

In order to be eligible for Valedictorian, the student must have attended a minimum of three full semesters at the campus from which the student will graduate as well as be in good standing at the time of selection and at the time of graduation.

Salutatorian

The Salutatorian is an honor granted to the member of the graduating class with the second-highest weighted GPA*.

To be eligible for Salutatorian, the student must have attended a minimum of three full semesters at the campus from which the student will graduate as well as be in good standing at the time of selection and at the time of graduation.

Academic Awards

Summa Cum Laude (Top 5%)

Summa Cum Laude

Summa Cum Laude is an academic award giving to graduates indicating the student has graduated “with highest praise” or “with highest honors”. Summa Cum Laude will be given to the top 5% of the graduating students in a graduating class based on their weighted GPA and whose weighted GPA is at least a 4.0. All students who have met the graduation requirements and will be graduating with their cohort at an ALA school will be eligible for this award.

Magna Cum Laude (Top 10%)

Magna Cum Laude

Magna Cum Laude is an academic award given to graduates indicating the student has graduated “with great praise” or “with great honors”. Magna Cum Laude will be given to the top 10% of the graduating students in a graduating class based on their weighted GPA and whose weighted GPA is at least a 3.8. All students who have met the graduation requirements and will be graduating with their cohort at an ALA school will be eligible for this award.

Cum Laude (Top 25%)

Cum Laude

Cum Laude is an academic award given to graduates indicating the student has graduated “with praise” or “with honors”. Cum Laude will be given to the top 25% of the graduating students based on their weighted GPA and whose weighted GPA is at least a 3.5. All students who have met the requirements and will be graduating with their cohort at an ALA school will be eligible for this award.

*Weighted GPA will be calculated in the student information system (SIS) at the time of the closing of the seventh semester, as details on the campus school calendar. A semester is defined by the two halved of a school year. The seventh semester beings with the first day of the 12th grade year, and typically ends at the start of winter break.

Graduation Pathway FAQ

How do students choose a diploma track?

What post-graduation options are available?

Which tests are required for graduation?

When should students apply for scholarships and financial aid?

When should students apply to colleges or universities?

How do students prepare for graduation ceremonies?

Are there graduation requirements all students must meet?

What academic honors are awarded at graduation?

Valedictorian: Highest weighted GPA in the graduating class (with eligibility requirements).
Salutatorian: Second-highest weighted GPA in the graduating class (with eligibility requirements).
Cum Laude: Top 25% of graduates with at least a 3.5 GPA.
Magna Cum Laude: Top 10% of graduates with at least a 3.8 GPA.
Summa Cum Laude: Top 5% of graduates with at least a 4.0 GPA.

What else do students need to do before graduation?

Where can I find more details about my school's graduation ceremony?

Have questions? Ask your Advisor!

From academic support and course planning to navigating resources and connecting with the right people, we are here to assist you! For quick assistance, check out our FAQ section for commonly asked questions. To explore becoming a student, visit our Enrollment page. For additional questions about courses and testing, contact your student services academic advisor. Find your school's student services team below!

Contact Your Student Services Team!

Amanda Gurney
Academic Advisor
amanda.gurney@bclaschools.org

For questions about Registration & Enrollment:
District Registrar
districtregistrar@bclaschools.org