It's harder to graduate from SPS than many other schools in Missouri. Here's why

It's graduation time in Springfield Public School but before a high school senior earns a diploma, they must meet a list of requirements.

For starters, students must earn a total of 25 credits, typically within a four-year period starting with ninth grade. The benchmark in SPS is slightly higher than the state's minimum requirement of 24 credits.

In SPS, students must meet the same requirements of the state plus take more physical education and electives to graduate.

In Missouri, 89% of students graduated in four years with a regular high school diploma. In Springfield, it was 95%, according to the most recent data by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Here is a list of the credits required to graduate in SPS:

• Communication arts: 4 credits − At least three units must be in English and the fourth can be taken in the area of journalism, speech or drama;
• Social studies: 3 credits − In general, the required credits include U.S. History, World History plus Liberty and Law;
• Mathematics: 3 credits;
• Science: 3 credits;
• Physical education: 1-1/2 credits;
• Health: 1/2 credit;
• Practical arts: 1-1/2 credit − They are required to take 1/2 a credit of personal finance;
• Fine arts: 1 credit − This can include music, visual arts, dance and theater;
• Electives: 7-1/2 credits

In general, students are required to attend eight semesters, starting with ninth grade. A semester is considered any period of time when a student is enrolled in three or more credit hours.

Springfield school board policy IKF also requires high school students to take all the end-of-course exams required by the state.

They must pass a civics exam about the provisions and principles of American history and institutions, and the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions.

Each high school student is also required to receive 30 minutes of CPR training in the proper performance of the Heimlich maneuver or other first aid for choking.

SPS may grant permission for a student to graduate early, typically after seven semesters, in rare circumstances. To accomplish that, a student shall have:

• Completed at least 25 credits;
• Arranged to attend a college, university, vocational school or on-the-job training for the eighth semester;
• Submitted a request for early exit to the principal by the end of the sixth semester;
• Received a statement showing credits earned and conditions for which a diploma will be granted under early release.

In those situations, students who successfully complete high school after seven semesters are eligible to receive a high school diploma with their graduating class.