GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

As a prerequisite to receiving a Lincoln-Way Community High School diploma, students must successfully complete the graduation requirements listed below. These graduation requirements DO NOT apply to students whose program of study is determined by an Individualized Education Program (IEP).  

REQUIRED CREDITS

English (Students must successfully complete an appropriate level of English I, II, III, and IV) 

4 

P.E.(or AFJROTC), Health, Driver’s Education 

4 

Mathematics (Students must successfully complete math courses through Algebra II) 

3 

Science 

3 

Reading/Freshman Seminar (Students transferring to Lincoln-Way after the beginning of sophomore year will be exempt from the Reading requirement. Students may earn an exemption from this requirement in accordance with the LW 210 Accelerated Placement Plan. If students are exempt from this credit requirement, they must take another elective course to meet the TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS)  

1 

United States History (Satisfies the State of Illinois mandates regarding United States History) 

1 

World History 

1 

Economics, Personal Finance, or Consumer Education 

½ 

Civics or Government (with Constitution tests) 

½ 

Fine Arts, Career & Technical Education, or World Languages 

1 

Additional Elective Credits 

3 

TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS 

22 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES/COMPLETION 

Community Service  
(25 hours) 

All students in the Class of 2021 and beyond are required to complete 25 hours of community service to graduate. Community service must be completed between the summer prior to Freshman year and May 1st of Senior year. Students may not use court-mandated hours to fulfill the graduation requirement; however, hours that are completed for the graduation requirement can be used for other organizations such as National Honor Society.  

Driver Education 

Requirement may be satisfied by completing Driver Education at Lincoln-Way, by submitting a Certificate of Successful Completion from a commercial school, or submitting a copy of the student’s Illinois driver's license if issued prior to age 18. Students must earn eight credits in their previous two semesters to be eligible for Driver Education. 

Constitution Tests 

Students must pass the Illinois and United States Constitution exams which are part of the required Government or Civics course.  

FAFSA Completion 

To ensure that families receive information regarding the FAFSA and resources to assist in completing this application, the Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act 101-0180 during the summer of 2020. This legislation amended the Illinois graduation requirements for any public high school student to include one of the following steps which must be completed to earn a high school diploma: 

  1. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to apply for financial aid options available through the federal government as well as some state aid options such as the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant.  

  1. File an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. The alternative application allows qualifying undocumented and/or transgender students who are not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid to apply for aid through the state or specific college, university, or trade school. The alternative application should only be completed by students not eligible to submit the FAFSA.  

  1. Parents/guardians who wish to opt their child out of this graduation requirement (or whose child does not meet the eligibility criteria to file the FAFSA or alternative application) must complete the FAFSA Non-participation.