Two Diplomas
There are two high school diplomas available to public school students in the State of Arkansas: Smart Core and Core.
Be default, students work toward receiving the Smart Core diploma. Smart Core is Arkansas’s college- and career-ready curriculum for high school students. Students and parents are encouraged to work toward this diploma and must sign a waiver stating they have been informed of the requirements of the Smart Core curriculum and that they understand the potential negative consequences of choosing to waive the Smart Core requirements and receive a Core diploma by way of the State Minimum Graduation Requirements.
From a curriculum perspective the main differences between these two diplomas are requirements for advanced English, mathematics, and science courses.
The link above lists the graduation requirements for students receiving a Smart Core diploma on graduation day.
Smart Core Diploma Quick Reference
For complete information about Smart Core Graduation requirements, visit the link above to the Arkansas DESE Graduation Requirements page. Below is a brief, unofficial list that may not be specific to each situation, but provides a quick-reference. Generally, students accumulate the 22 credits required for graduation in the 9th through 12th grades. At OHS, students can take seven credit-bearing classes per school year resulting in an opportunity to graduate with 28 credits. Some courses, such as, athletics can only be taken for credit one time.
ENGLISH - 4 units: English 9, English 10, English 11, English 12
MATH - 4 units: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th Math beyond Algebra II
SCIENCE - 3 units: Physical Science, Biology, 3rd Science
SOCIAL STUDIES - 2.5 units: US History, World History, Civics
ORAL COMMUNICATION - 0.5 units
PHYSICAL EDUCATION - 0.5 units
HEALTH & SAFETY - 0.5 units
FINE ARTS - 0.5 units
Economics with Personal Finance - 0.5 units (may be counted as Career Focus)
CAREER FOCUS OR ADDITIONAL CONTENT - 6.0 units including
TOTAL 22 CREDITS
Additionally, students must complete a digital course, a course that contains personal finance, pass the Arkansas' Civics Exam, and complete hands-on CPR training.