The information below can be found in the BCBE Academic Guide regarding Early Exit guidelines. Students who wish to graduate early (one semester or more) should contact the base school and meet with his/her base school counselor to complete the required paperwork at least one semester prior to graduating early. The student is responsible for staying in communication with the base school for graduation updates and cap and gown purchases. To be eligible, students must meet the criteria listed below.
HIGH SCHOOL EARLY EXIT
*The student may elect to exit high school early if the following criteria are met:
1. The High School Early Exit application form must be completed and on file at the school. The student must complete Section I of the form by the end of the semester prior to graduation and return it to their counselor. Application forms are available from high school counselors or online at www.bcbe.org.
2. The student must meet all graduation requirements, including meeting a College and Career Ready indicator.
3. The student must have completed all coursework through one or a combination of the following methods:
1. Dual enrollment with Coastal Alabama Community College, or any other institution with whom the Board of Education has a dual enrollment agreement
2. Courses on the high school campus during the regular school day.
4. The student must provide to the counselor one of the following documents before exiting high school:
1. Letter of acceptance to a postsecondary institution,
2. Letter of acceptance to the military, or
3. Letter from employer verifying employment in the workplace. The following guidelines should be considered as students and parents consider the High School Early Exit opportunity.
5. Following the completion of Section IV of the High School Early Exit application form, the student will be considered an alumnus and therefore will not be permitted to participate in any extracurricular activities, with the following exceptions: prom, senior honors program, and graduation ceremonies. Early Exit students who change their mind about exiting early after the first 10 days of the school year will have to petition a school-based committee for approval to remain through May. Early Exit students may not reenroll in high school.
6. Students who exit early will not be eligible for the distinction endorsement diplomas. In addition, no high school master schedules will be adjusted to accommodate a student who wishes to exit early. Therefore, an Alabama High School Diploma may be the only option for early exit students.
*Every child between the ages of seven (7) and seventeen (17) years shall be required to enroll in school and to attend for the entire length of each scholastic year.
