Academic Requirements and Expectations
Graduation Requirements
Cedar Rapids Community School District uses a semester schedule with the school year divided into two 16-week terms. CRCSD students must earn a minimum of 40 credit hours in grades nine to 12 to qualify for a diploma. Under the semester-based credit system, a passing grade in a semester course earns one credit. There are some credit exceptions for music courses. Contact your counselor for more information.
The credit hours required for graduation shall include the following minimum subject area requirements:
English language arts: eight credit hours
Mathematics: six credit hours
Science: six credit hours
Social studies: six credit hours
Physical education: four credit hours
Iowa Code requires all physically-able students in grades nine to 12 to participate in physical education each semester they are enrolled. Currently, CRCSD receives a Chapter 12 waiver from the Iowa Department of Education. This allows students to enroll in daily physical education for one semester instead of two semesters each school year. Students are also expected to participate in a CPR course per Iowa Code 281-IAC 12.5(20).
Financial literacy: one-half unit (currently fulfilled within the economics curriculum)
Elective courses: 10 credit hours (these courses vary upon interest of the student)
Course Load Expectations
Students must select and enroll in both required and elective courses every year to make progress towards meeting graduation requirements. The minimum course load expectations are as follows:
- Five classes each semester and PE one semester in grades nine and 10
- Four classes each semester and PE one semester in grades 11 and 12
Note: Course offerings are based on student request and student need. If there are not enough students interested in a particular course, it may not be offered.
Optimum Preparation for College
Over 85% of Kennedy graduates pursue a degree beyond high school. On average, 60% of our graduates go directly to a four-year college. Many more begin at a community college and eventually transfer to a four-year institution.
A general plan for meeting minimum college entrance requirements is shown below.
- English/language arts: four years
- Mathematics: three years
- Algebra I, geometry, algebra II
- Science: three years
- Includes earth/environmental science, biology, chemistry, and physics
- Social studies: three years
- Includes world history, U.S. history, American government, and economics
- Foreign/world language: two years of a single language
Kennedy Profile
Scheduling / Registering for classes
Multi-year academic planning tool
The multi-year academic planning tool (MYAP) is within Infinite Campus. This allows students to plan all four years of high school. They can make adjustments to their plan each year if needed. For current students, completing the MYAP equates to registering for classes for the upcoming school year.
Please see Registration Central for more detailed information.
Schedule changes
Priorities for Schedule Changes
Schedule changes will be prioritized based upon academic necessity. Our goal is to maintain balanced class sizes and use limited resources wisely. Changes to a student’s schedule will only be made if circumstances are compelling and supported by data. Priority will be given to changes that are deemed academically necessary, such as when a student:
- Is missing a required class
- Is scheduled for multiple courses in a single period
- Has a need-based on a documented disability
- Needs to make up a class that was failed in the past
The following are examples that are NOT of academic necessity:
- Student wishes to change a teacher
- Student wishes to change order of classes or the hour of study hall/release
- Students wishes to change the hour of PE or type of PE
Schedule Change Request Form (S2) 2023-24
Dropping a course
If a student requests to drop a course, the following criteria apply:
- Written parental approval is required via a signature on the drop form
- If the drop occurs between days one through 10 of the semester, there is no record of the course on the student’s transcript
- If the drop occurs between days 11 through 45 of the semester, there is a “W” (withdrawn) on the student’s transcript
- If the drop occurs day 46 and beyond, the students receives a:
- “W” if they are passing the course at the time of the drop
- “F” (fail) if they are failing the course at the time of the drop
Drop forms can be submitted online – follow up will come from the student’s School Counselor or Engagement Specialist.
Off Campus Opportunities
Kirkwood Academy Programs at Linn Regional Center | Program of Study |
Select for Success – Are you the right fit? | |
Video: Kirkwood Academy Programs | |
Iowa BIG | Course Information Sheet |
Video: Prospective Student Introduction | |
Video: Iowa BIG | |
Student Built House | Video: Building Trades |
Other Informational Videos | Project Lead the Way (PLTW) |
Career and Technical Education |
Summer School Information
Opportunities for Summer 2024 have not yet been finalized.
Student Resources
How to Study | Provides general and subject-specific study strategies and tips. |
Khan Academy | Video lessons for almost all subject areas! |
Learning Center | Site provided by the University of Northern Iowa. It contains multiple academic support resources. |
Club Z Tutoring | In-home and online tutoring available for subject areas, test prep and school support |
Finn Prep | Iowa’s leader in Academic Tutoring and College Counseling |
EYI | Empowering Youths of Iowa – mentoring, tutoring, helping students reach graduation. Complete Referral Form. |