Pathway to Graduation

Your Path to Graduation Starts Here

Graduation is a milestone worth celebrating. As seniors prepare for this special day, we’ve gathered the key information you’ll need to get ready—dates, times, and everything in between.

Pathway to Graduation: Steps for Graduating

1. Choose an ALA Diploma Track

At the start of high school, students are placed on a diploma track. The track shows which classes to take, GPA goals to aim for, and testing or credit requirements to finish before graduation. If plans change later on, students can sit down with a Student Services Advisor and update their track so it fits better.

Please refer to our Course Catalog for the specific requirements for these diplomas:

Standard diploma
Honors diploma
STEM diploma

2. Standardized Testing (ACT/ PSAT/SAT)

2. Post-Graduate Pathway

Choose a pathway for post-graduation that works best for you. Here are some options to consider:

College/University

College or University

Enroll in a 2-year (community college/associate degree) or 4-year (university/bachelor’s degree) program.

Pros

Greater career flexibility
Campus resources
Internship opportunities

Considerations

Higher Costs
Longer timeline

Learn more about preparing for college →

Trade School or Certification

Hands-on training or industry certificate (Cosmetology, Culinary, IT certs, electrician, welder, HVAC).

Pros

Faster entry to workforce
Often higher demanded jobs
Lower tuition costs

Considerations

Career mobility can be narrower than a degree
Upfront fees for exams/equipment

Learn more about preparing for trade school →

Military Service

Enlistment in Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force

Pros

Tuition Assistance
Healthcare Benefits
Career Training

Considerations

Commitment Requirements
Physical/Eligibility standards

Learn more about Military →

Career Path

Start working immediately in entry-level roles, apprenticeships, or internships

Pros

Earning income immediately
Building experience & Networking

Considerations

Limited advancement without further training
Some jobs require specific training or certifications
Starting salaries may be lower in comparison

Learn more about Career Readiness→

4. Apply for Scholarships/ Financial Aid

Money for college doesn’t just come from one place. Scholarships and financial aid are out there, but you have to look for them. Students should start as early as 10th grade, then keep searching and applying through junior and senior year. Most applications open later, so keeping track of deadlines and staying organized gives students a better shot at getting help with costs.

Learn more Scholarships and Financial aid →

5. Apply for Colleges/Universities

By junior and senior year, it’s time to apply. Students should pick the schools they’re most interested in and get applications submitted before the deadlines. Don’t forget to request transcripts and double-check that everything is turned in. Choosing a school is a big decision, so it’s worth looking closely at programs, costs, and opportunities.

Learn more about preparing for college →

6. Buy Cap & Gown

7. Pay all Your Fees

Graduation Requirements

American Leadership Academy offers three different diploma tracks for students to choose from. Please see below for the graduation requirements of each diploma track.

ALA Graduation Diploma

ALA requires 22 credits for graduation. Minimum requirements in the content areas below are as follows:

Subject	Diploma
English English I, English II, English III, English IV	4 credits
Math Algebra I , Geometry, Algebra II, one more additional math course	4 credits
Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics (lab sciences)	3 credits
History & Social Sciences World History, US/Arizona History, Economics, Civics/Government	3 credits
Physical Education	1 credit
CTE/Fine Arts	1 credit
Financial Literacy/ Entrepreneurship	1 credit
Electives 2.0 Foreign Language credits are required for university entrance	5 credits
Total Credits:	22 credits

ALA Honors Diploma

Students who wish to graduate with an Honors Diploma must:

Graduate with a 3.8 cumulative weighted GPA
Complete 8 core classes at an Honors, DE, or AP level

Subject	Diploma
English English I, English II, English III, AP Lit, AP Lang, DE English	4 credits
Math Algebra I , Geometry, Algebra II, one additional math course	4 credits
Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics, one additional science course (lab sciences)	4 credits
History & Social Sciences World History, US/Arizona History, Economics, Civics/Government	3 credits
Physical Education	1 credit
CTE/Fine Arts	1 credit
Financial Literacy/ Entrepreneurship	1 credit
Foreign Language	2 credits
Electives	4 credits
Total Credits:	24 credits

ALA Stem Diploma

Students who wish to graduate with a STEM Diploma must:

Graduate with a 3.8 cumulative weighted GPA
Complete 8 core classes at an Honors, DE, or AP level

STEM - *additional 2 science and 1 math classes may include CTE, technology, and STEM-related courses at ALA

Subject	Diploma
English English I, English II, English III, AP Lit, AP Lang, DE English	4 credits
Math Algebra I , Geometry, Algebra II, two additional math courses (One must be from the math department and on can be from Appendix A in the course catalog)*	5 credits
Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics, two additional science courses (lab sciences)*	5 credits
History & Social Sciences World History, US/Arizona History, Economics, Civics/Government	3 credits
Physical Education	1 credit
CTE/Fine Arts	1 credit
Financial Literacy/ Entrepreneurship	1 credit
Foreign Language	2 credits
Electives	2 credits
Total Credits:	24 credits

Graduation Recognitions

Valedictorian

The Valedictorian is an honor granted to the member of the graduating class who has the highest weighted GPA*.

In order to be eligible for Valedictorian, the student must have attended a minimum of three full semesters at the campus from which the student will graduate as well as be in good standing at the time of selection and at the time of graduation.

Salutatorian

The Salutatorian is an honor granted to the member of the graduating class with the second-highest weighted GPA*.

To be eligible for Salutatorian, the student must have attended a minimum of three full semesters at the campus from which the student will graduate as well as be in good standing at the time of selection and at the time of graduation.

Academic Awards

Summa Cum Laude (Top 5%)

Summa Cum Laude

Summa Cum Laude is an academic award giving to graduates indicating the student has graduated “with highest praise” or “with highest honors”. Summa Cum Laude will be given to the top 5% of the graduating students in a graduating class based on their weighted GPA and whose weighted GPA is at least a 4.0*. All students who have met the graduation requirements and will be graduating with their cohort at an ALA school will be eligible for this award.

Magna Cum Laude (Top 10%)

Magna Cum Laude

Magna Cum Laude is an academic award given to graduates indicating the student has graduated “with great praise” or “with great honors”. Magna Cum Laude will be given to the top 10% of the graduating students in a graduating class based on their weighted GPA and whose weighted GPA is at least a 3.8*. All students who have met the graduation requirements and will be graduating with their cohort at an ALA school will be eligible for this award.

Cum Laude (Top 25%)

Cum Laude

Cum Laude is an academic award given to graduates indicating the student has graduated “with praise” or “with honors”. Cum Laude will be given to the top 25% of the graduating students based on their weighted GPA and whose weighted GPA is at least a 3.5*. All students who have met the requirements and will be graduating with their cohort at an ALA school will be eligible for this award.

Early Graduates: Students who choose to graduate early or outside their cohort will not be eligible for graduation recognitions or awards. For more information on recognition and awards criteria selection and eligibility review your school's course catalog.

*GPA will be calculated at the close of the last grading period before graduation (in a semester-based system, this would be the end of the fall semester of the student’s graduation year; in a quarter-based system, this would be the end of the third quarter of the student’s graduation year.)

Graduation Pathway FAQ

How do students choose a diploma track?

What post-graduation options are available?

Which tests are required for graduation?

When should students apply for scholarships and financial aid?

When should students apply to colleges or universities?

How do students prepare for graduation ceremonies?

Are there graduation requirements all students must meet?

Yes. ALA requires a minimum of 22 credits for graduation. These include:

4 English credits
4 Math credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and one additional course)
3 Science credits (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
3 History/Social Science credits (World History, U.S./AZ History, Economics, Government)
1 Physical Education credit
1 Fine Arts or CTE credit
1 Financial Literacy/Entrepreneurship credit
5 Elective credits (including foreign language for university entrance)

What academic honors are awarded at graduation?

Valedictorian: Highest weighted GPA in the graduating class (with eligibility requirements).
Salutatorian: Second-highest weighted GPA in the graduating class (with eligibility requirements).
Cum Laude: Top 25% of graduates with at least a 3.5 GPA.
Magna Cum Laude: Top 10% of graduates with at least a 3.8 GPA.
Summa Cum Laude: Top 5% of graduates with at least a 4.0 GPA.

What else do students need to do before graduation?

Where can I find details about my school's graduation?

Find your School's Ceremony Details

Applied Tech

Anthem South

Sierra Vista

Gilbert North

Ironwood

Vistancia

Mesa North

Queen Creek

West Foothills

Virtual

Have questions? Ask your Advisor!

From academic support and course planning to navigating resources and connecting with the right people, we are here to assist you! For quick assistance, check out our FAQ section for commonly asked questions. To explore becoming a student, visit our Enrollment page. For additional questions about courses and testing, contact your student services academic advisor. Find your school’s student services team below to connect with your academic advisor.

Student Last Name (A-J), HS

Rebecca Greenwood
Academic Advisor
rgreenwood@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (K-L), HS & All Junior High

Hunter Dapkus
Academic Counselor
hdapkus@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (M-Z), HS

Kristin Penrod, MSW, MBA
Assistant Director of Student Services
kpenrod@alaschools.org

Ironwood

Students Last Name (A-G), 7-12

Grace Wood
Academic Advisor
gwood@alaschools.org

Students Last Name (H-N), 7-12

Melissa Molina-Garcia
Academic Advisor
melissa.molinagarcia@alaschools.org

Students Last Name (O-Z), 7-12

Amber Linderholm
Assistant Director of Student Services
alinderholm@alaschools.org

Mesa North

Queen Creek

All Students, 7th-9th

Trudy Wallingford
Assistant Director of Student Services
trudy.wallingford@alaschools.org

Students Last Name (A-K), 10th-12th

Tamarah Taylor
Academic Advisor
tamarahtaylor@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (L-Z), 10th-12th

Artensia Kennedy
Academic Advisor
artensia.kennedy@alaschools.org

All Students, 7th-9th

Courtney Voise
Assistant Director of Student Services
courtney.voise@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (A-K), 10th-12th

Ashley Rodriguez
Academic Advisor
arodriguez@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (L-Z), 10th-12th

Ray Guerrero
Academic Advisor
ray.guerrero@alaschools.org

Need help with Enrollment? Questions about registering for school? Contact our Enrollment Specialist:
districtregistrar@alaschools.org