While certain students may be preparing to stroll across the stage and receive their high school diploma, others are working to figure out how to graduate at all.

Freedom High School guidance counselors are prepared to ensure that every senior graduates high school one way or another. The students that aren’t eligible to graduate on time are informed of their status, but do they know how to solve the issue?

It’s important to understand every graduation requirement to figure out the right path. To receive a standard diploma, a student needs to have a total of 18 credits.

A student will need to pass four years of both English and Math and three years of a Science class. This goes along with one year of HOPE and a performing arts class.

According to Ms. Costello, a Freedom FSA reading teacher, “Students also need to pass every end of course exam they take and the FSA reading exam, or receive a certain score in reading on the ACT or SAT.”

If you’re one of the students who do not meet all of these benchmarks, you will then receive a certificate of completion, yet you will not be able to receive financial aid.

Freedom Guidance Counselor Dr. Diaz recommends taking credit recovery in order to graduate and move on to a higher education.

Diaz claimed, “The goal for Hillsborough County is to get everyone to graduate with their class.”

Guidance counselors understand that everyone has a different situation, which is why there is night school at Jefferson and Gaither High School for students that work and Teen Parenting programs for students with children.

Freedom’s web page also has guidelines for students to complete their senior year with all credits in order.

Diaz stated, “One thing students need to understand is that kindness goes a long way. Negotiating is a part of life, and if you are respectful to your teachers and counselors, you will get the help you need to succeed.”