More information for the 2027-2028 Scheduling Process coming soon! 

It is the responsibility of the student and family to be knowledgeable about the graduation requirements and plan coursework that allows them to meet those requirements. The high school will make every effort to keep up-to-date records and to inform the student and parents about the student’s progress toward the completion of graduation requirements.  Ensuring that students meet graduation requirements is an important goal for all of our students and requires a partnership between the high staff, students, and parents.  All of the graduation requirements can be found on the Ohio Department of Education Website.

Credit Requirements

End-of-Course State Testing Requirements

Classes of 2023 and Beyond - Students will take end-of-course tests in Algebra I, Geometry, English II (ELA II), American History, American Government, and Biology and must earn a passing score (684) on Algebra I and English II (ELA II) tests. Students who do not pass will be offered additional support and must retake the test at least once. In the event a student does not earn a 684 or higher, the student will work with their School Counselor to develop a plan based upon the guidelines set forth by the Ohio Department of Education.

Graduation Seals Requirements 

In addition to End of Course State testing requirements, students in the classes of 2023 and beyond must also earn at least two Graduation Seals. There are two categories: State-Defined and Locally-Defined. Students must earn at least one State-Defined seal with the other from either category. For a complete list of available seals and the criteria for each, please click on the link below.

Graduation seals checklist

Four Year Plan

The Four Year Plan is designed to be a rough draft of a student's high school career. Changes to the plan each year are very common as interests and academic achievements progress. Students are encouraged to update this plan as often as needed, with a minimum of at least once a year which takes place during the scheduling process. All plans are completed in SchooLinks, our online counseling tool.

Honors Diploma

High school students can gain state recognition for exceeding Ohio’s graduation requirements through an honors diploma. Students challenge themselves by taking and succeeding at high-level coursework and in real-world experiences.

Ohio students have the opportunity to choose to pursue one of six honors diplomas:

1. Academic Honors Diploma
2. International Baccalaureate Honors Diploma
3. Career Tech Honors Diploma
4. STEM Honors Diploma
5. Arts Honors Diploma*
6. Social Science and Civic Engagement Honors Diploma 

*includes dance, drama/theater, music and visual art.

To learn more about the Ohio Honors Diploma Options & Criteria please use the following resources below:

• Ohio Department of Education Honors Diplomas Information
• Mason High School ODE Honors Diploma Options for Student
• Mason City Schools Honors Diploma FAQ

INTRODUCTION

The Advanced Placement Program (AP) program is a set of college-level courses taught by your high school teachers.  AP course content is developed in conjunction with college faculty who teach the corresponding introductory courses on college campuses across the United States.  Many universities accept a score of “3” or above out of a 5-point scale on the AP exam in May as evidence that the student has met the requirements for a college course.  This allows students to earn college credits while still in high school.

PLEASE TAKE THESE FACTORS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN PLANNING YOUR COURSE REQUESTS FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR:

• Students are required to create an account with the College Board (if they do not already have one). They will then need to join the online “AP Classrooms” with a join code that is provided by their MHS AP teacher. This will give them access to online resources for that subject as well as give MHS the ability to order their AP exam.
• The cost of the exam for the 2026-2027 school year will be announced in September of 2026 (the fee is typically around $100 per exam). 
• In order for an exam to be ordered for a student, they must pay the exam fee for each exam they wish to take. By paying the exam fee, this serves as confirmation of their intention to take the AP Exam in May. Exams will not be ordered for students who have not paid the AP exam fee. 
• The payment dates and deadlines will be communicated in September of 2026.

MHS AP Exam Information Site

For more information about AP through College Board, please visit this website link.  

WHO TAKES AP COURSES?

AP courses are open to all students.  Some AP courses have pre-requisite courses necessary for enrollment, while others have recommended coursework.  Please refer to the course description section of the program of studies for details on the courses that interest you.  Students who choose to enroll in an AP course seek academic challenges and recognize that they will be reading college-level textbooks and completing college-level assignments throughout the course. Students will find that the course content requires them to use higher order thinking skills to analyze, apply, synthesize, and evaluate course content on a consistent basis.  Most students that choose to take an AP course describe their AP courses as moving at faster pace than their other courses, more reading, a need to study course content most nights to understand content fully, and a need to study with a network of peers. 

Students who are successful in AP courses have a strong interest in the subject they are taking, are self-motivated learners, and have effective self-monitoring skills such as time management, task planning, and seeking assistance when needed.

Students interested in taking AP courses are encouraged to take courses that will help them prepare for the analytical skills, reading skills, and writing skills necessary for a college-level course.  

Learn more about the difference between AP, College Credit Plus, and Credit Flex

Through the CCP program, students take college courses at an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) that meets their learning goals, needs, and where they are able to meet the IHE’s college readiness benchmarks.  Students can also participate in the CCP program on the MHS campus where CCP courses are offered by IHE faculty.  Students are still required to meet the participating IHE’s college readiness benchmarks to participate in the course on the MHS campus.

Please visit the CCP page for more information about important requirements and deadlines. 

When scheduling courses, it is important to practice Realistic Rigor by selecting classes that provide meaningful academic challenge while remaining manageable and well-matched to your demonstrated abilities. 

Learn more about the difference between AP, College Credit Plus, and Credit Flex

Credit Flexibility ("Credit Flex") is an optional student-driven opportunity that allows learners in grades 7–12 to earn high school graduation credits through alternative methods outside of traditional classroom “seat time.” Instead of focusing on hours spent in class, Credit Flex emphasizes learning, mastery, and real-world application.

This program is designed to maximize engagement by offering:

• Nontraditional Paths: Earn credit outside the standard classroom structure
• Real-World Experiences: Internships, field experiences, and community-based learning
• Personalized Learning: Plans built around your goals, interests, and needs
• Demonstrated Mastery: Show what you know through projects, portfolios, and assessments

Credit Flex provides flexibility, but it also requires a high level of independence. Students alone are responsible for planning, completing, and meeting all requirements and deadlines associated with their chosen path. Families are responsible for any costs associated with Credit Flex. 

For more information, please visit the Credit Flex page. 

Learn more about the difference between AP, College Credit Plus, and Credit Flex

Summer School

Mason High School offers limited educational opportunities for students during the summer months.  Students can enroll in original credit courses and/or recovery credit core courses that were taken during the academic year.  All students must reside in the Mason City School District and be upcoming 9-12th grade students.  Registration forms, with course offerings (and cost), can be found on the High School page of masonohioschools.com or Schoology.