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Mars Area High School

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Keystone Exam Graduation Requirements

ALL students must pass the Algebra I Keystone Exam, the English Literature Keystone Exam and the Biology Keystone Exam with a proficient or advanced score or meet all of the criteria for one of the other Keystone pathways for graduation.


Accountability Standards for Graduation Requirements

Students can meet the statewide graduation requirement by:

  • Scoring proficient or advanced on each Keystone Exam - Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.

  • Earning a satisfactory composite score on the Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams.

  • Earning a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, and satisfactorily complete one of the following: an alternative assessment (SAT, PSAT, ACT, ASVAB, Gold Level ACT WorkKeys), advanced coursework (AP, IB, concurrent enrollment courses), pre-apprenticeship, or acceptance in a 4-year nonprofit institution of higher education for college-level coursework.

  • Earning a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, and pass the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) or the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment in an approved Career and Technical Education concentration.

  • Earning a passing grade on the courses associated with each Keystone Exam, and demonstrate readiness for postsecondary engagement through three pieces of evidence from the student’s career portfolio aligned to student goals and career plan. Examples of evidence will include ACT WorkKeys, SAT Subject tests, AP, IB and concurrent coursework, higher education acceptance, community learning project, completion of an internship, externship or co-op or full-time employment.

For more information about Keystone Exams or Project Based Assessments, please visit the following:

  1. MAHS Course Selection Manual
  2. Standard Aligned System website at http://www.pdesas.org/; select “Assessment” tab
  3. Click https://highschool.marsk12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1747275&type=d&pREC_ID=1927853 for supplemental online test prep material

A student who has completed the requirements for graduation shall not be denied a diploma as a disciplinary measure, but the student may be denied participation in the graduation ceremony when personal conduct so warrants. Such exclusion shall be regarded as a school suspension. All students must meet these requirements to graduate from Mars Area High School and participate in commencement exercises in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.