Conditions for the award of a Pennsylvania High School Diploma are determined by individual school districts and are contingent on state required examinations and course completions. Students who fulfill the graduation requirements set out by School Lane Charter (as listed below), will be awarded a School Lane Charter High School Diploma, which is equivalent to a Pennsylvania High School Diploma.

1. Accumulated Credits

2. Personal Project

Passing of Grade 10 Personal Project is required, with Personal Project grade included in GPA. Additionally, successful completion of Personal Project is a requirement for full DP candidates.

3. Other Obligations 

The student is in good standing with the school, which means that all financial obligations are met and the student has no outstanding disciplinary action to fulfill. 

4. Keystone Exams

The Keystone Exams are state-mandated, end-of-course assessments in Algebra I, Biology and Literature. At the high school level, the Keystone Exams are used to satisfy statewide graduation requirements under the Pennsylvania Department of Education Act 158. This graduation requirement is in effect for the students in the graduating Class of 2023 and beyond.

There are multiple pathways students can take to satisfy the graduation requirement under ACT 158. The Pathways are listed below. Pathway 1 and Pathway 2 are the most straightforward pathways to meet the graduation requirements.

Pathway 1 (Keystone Proficiency)

Pass all 3 Keystone exams (Algebra I, Biology, and Literature) with a score of 1500 or higher.  

Pathway 2: Keystone Composite Score

If your child earns a composite score of 4452 on the 3 Keystone exams, scoring at least an advanced or proficient on one of the exams and no less than a basic on the other exams, then they meet the Keystone graduation requirement.

Pathway 3: Alternative Assessment

Need one of the following pieces of evidence.

1.       For every Keystone Exam with less than proficient score, take a content-related IB exam and earn a 4 or higher.

2.       Successful completion of a content-related high school enrichment course.

3.       An alternative assessment and achieves the following scores: PSAT (970), SAT (1010), ACT (21), or ASVAB (minimum score for admittance to Armed Services)

4.       Unconditional acceptance letter from a 4 year non for profit school or a general admittance acceptance letter with proof of college level coursework enrollment.

Pathway 4: Evidence-Based (Three Pieces of Evidence)

The student earns a locally established grade on the course associated with each Keystone exam and demonstrates readiness for post-secondary engagement through three pieces of evidence from the student’s career portfolio aligned to the student goals and career plan.  

At least one piece of evidence must be:

1.       SAT subject tests (630 or higher).

2.       IB level exam score of 3 or higher. 

3.       Successful completion of high school enrichment course.

4.       Unconditional acceptance letter from a 4 year non for profit school or a general admittance acceptance letter with proof of college level coursework enrollment.

Students may use up to two additional pieces of evidence below:

5.       Proficient on Keystone exam(s)

6.       Meet minimum NCAA GPA and credit requirement (does not need to be a college-bound athlete to qualify)

7.       A community service project 

8. Completion of an internship, externship, co-op, or full-time employment

To further explain these graduation requirements, we will host a parent information session regarding the graduation credits in the spring and school counselors are speaking with students on their accumulation of credits. Please contact your child’s school counselor with any questions, and thank you for reviewing this important information.