Secondary Education

orange county schools band students

6 - 12 Course Registration and Graduation

  • Registration for course selection at the middle & high school levels begins in the Spring. Registration guides with core course requirements and exploratory/elective course offerings are available for students and parents to make an academic plan suited to the student needs and interests.

    Fifth grade students and their parents will have opportunities to visit the middle school they will attend and meet with guidance counselors to select their sixth grade courses.

    In addition to "Registration Information Nights" held at both high schools, guidance counselors visit middle schools to share course information with eighth grade students and answer questions.

    High School Curriculum and Course Registration Guide

    Dual Enrollment

    Dual Enrollment is a plan which allows high school students to meet the requirements for high school graduation while at the same time earning college credit during the regular school day.  Orange County Schools is currently involved in partnerships with two post-secondary institutions: Alamance Community College and Durham Technical Community College. These institutions will offer mutually agreed-upon courses for dual credit to eligible students during the fall and spring semesters of each academic year.  Interested students should see their guidance counselor for more information.

    Graduation Requirements

    North Carolina high school students are expected to meet specific course and credit requirements and testing standards in order to graduate. These requirements differ depending on when students entered ninth grade for the first time. Over the past few years, the State and local Board of Education have changed graduation requirements to better reflect the skills and knowledge needed for success at community colleges, colleges and universities, and in business and industry.

    All current Orange County Schools students not enrolled in the Occupational Course of Study program are required to have 28 credits for graduation. The course and credit requirements in place for students entering ninth grade in fall 2009 and later are commonly known as the Future-Ready Core. Students who entered ninth grade prior to fall 2009, though required to have the same number of credits to graduate, have different course requirements.

    To better understand the course and credit requirements for graduation, visit:

    State Board of Education Graduation Requirements and Orange County Schools Board of Education Policy (3460)

    Parent and Student Resources

    How do I enroll my child in courses for grades 6 - 12?

    Supporting Student Achievement at the Secondary Level

    Helping Your Teenager Write Better

    SAT

    Planning and Preparing for College

    College Board

    College Foundation of North Carolina

    Fast Web

    Free and Federal Student Aid Application 

    Historically Black Colleges and Universities

    North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority

    Sallie Mae