You may be eligible for a high school graduation requirements waiver if you are in one of the following student groups.
Newly enrolled or identified student by school personnel or parents.
- Pupil in foster care
- Pupil who is a homeless youth
- Former juvenile court school pupil (was in juvenile hall during the school year and school days)
- Pupil who is a child of a military family
- Pupil who is a migratory child or a pupil participating in an English language proficiency program for newly arrived (newcomer) immigrant pupils
Unaccompanied Minors: If you are not in the physical custody of your parents or legal guardian(s) and are homeless, you may also qualify. Please request information at school with the school social worker or school counselor.
Not sure? Please ask to speak with your school counselor.
You must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
One: Must be in a pupil subgroup mentioned above;
Two: Transferred a district or a school in the 3rd or 4th year of high school;
Three: Not on track to graduate with the district's required coursework (220) by the end of 4th year of high school; and
Four: Youth and parent/legal guardian declined a 5th year of high school to complete the local educational agency’s (LEA) requirements (220 credits.)
The eligibility determination is facilitated by your school counselor. Each situation is unique, and approvals are done on a case-by-case basis.
If there is a disagreement or dispute about this process or the eligibility determination, please contact the local educational liaison listed below.
What will be the coursework if eligible?
California Education Code (EC) Section 51225.3 has specified a minimum set of courses to meet state requirements to graduate from high school and receive a diploma. The average amount of credits is 130 for a high school diploma
Follow this link to the California Department of Education (CDE) and course required:
Additional Important Information
- School districts are prohibited from requiring an eligible student to graduate before the end of his/her fourth year.
- Graduating with a graduation waiver of 130 credits does not entitle the student to enter a four-year university or college.
- Students can be eligible to attend a community college and utilize a course of study that will allow them to transfer to a four-year postsecondary institution.
- If a student is eligible for the exemption, they are not required to accept the waiver and cannot be denied enrollment in courses for which they are otherwise eligible.
- The student can remain in school for a fifth year to complete the full district’s 220 coursework.
- Once the graduation waiver of 130 credits has been granted, it cannot be revoked by any school district, private, or charter school.
- If it is determined that you are not eligible for a graduation requirements waiver, you must complete the AUHSD-approved coursework of 220 credits.
- If you are found not to be eligible, you are entitled to a re-evaluation should your circumstances change.
Need further assistance? The district's educational liaison is available should you need help beyond what the school site can provide.
McKinney-Vento Homeless, Foster Youth, and Military Educational Liaison
- Dr. Adela Cruz, LCSW
- Director of School Mental Health & Wellness
- Email: cruz_ad@auhsd.us
- Office: 714-999-7734
Senior Administrative Assistant
- Amy Saldana
- Email: saldana_a@auhsd.us
- Office: 714-999-4434
DISCLAIMER REGARDING THE MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION ON THESE PAGES
The contents of the AUHSD website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material ("content"), are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. AUHSD does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or timeliness of information posted on its site, whether by AUHSD, our employees, users of our site, or third parties. Always seek the advice of a mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s needs or condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the AUHSD website!
Please note that AUHSD and staff are not available 24/7, and our schools are not emergency response centers. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you, your child, or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, call 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.
AUHSD does not recommend or endorse any clinicians, counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website or linked through an outside agency or provider. AUHSD has developed partnerships with community-based mental health care providers. However, it is up to the consumer (parent/legal guardian) of the child to accept or decline services and to ask questions about eligibility, costs, and insurance coverage. Any links to other websites are provided only for the purpose of convenience or information and do not constitute a referral or endorsement of any of these sites or the owners, services, products, or content on those sites.
AUHSD is not responsible for any aspect of any third-party service providers or websites that may be linked from the AUHSD site, including without limitation the accuracy of the content on those services or use of information you may provide to those services. Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for such websites.
With input from a multidisciplinary team of administrators, social workers, school counselors, and school psychologist, the contents of this webpage are managed by:
Dr. Adela Cruz, LCSW
- Director of School Mental Health & Wellness
- McKinney-Vento Homeless & Foster Youth Educational Liaison
- Section 504 District Coordinator (504Coordinator@auhsd.us)
If you have questions or comments regarding its contents, please send an email to cruz_ad@auhsd.us.