Career & College Readiness Diploma (26 Credits) Graduates are recognized as having met entrance requirements for most Missouri universities. Check with your school's counseling department for more information.
Gold Medallion Honors Diploma (26 Credits) Graduates receive honors and are recognized for completing a rigorous program designed to meet all entrance requirements for the University of Missouri system as well as most universities nationwide.
The Gold Medallion Honors Diploma is a rigorous program of study designed to ensure that students are equipped with the skills necessary for postsecondary success. Graduates receive honors and are recognized for completing a program that meets entrance requirements for the University of Missouri system as well as most public universities nationwide.
Who should seek the Gold Medallion Honors Diploma?
The student who is academically able and highly motivated.
The student who wants a jump-start on earning college credit and wants to do real life-projects.
The student who is willing to work for having this diploma of distinction.
Gold Medallion Diploma Requirements
Earn at least a 3.2 grade point average (GPA) or above in all courses in grades 9-12, including college credit courses.
Perform at or above the 85th percentile on an 11th or 12th grade national standardized academic test (ACT or SAT).
Within the 26 required credits, 8 or more must be in Honors, Dual Credit, or AP courses.
Algebra I, Honors Geometry, and Modern Language taken in middle school will count towards Gold Medallion.
Participate in 100 hours of community service, tutoring, or mentoring.
Complete a 40-hour School to Career Internship(s) in a chosen career path.
Produce a Senior Exhibition as outlined by Research & Exhibition semesters curricula demonstrating mastery of North Kansas City Schools graduation goals. Please note, the former Research Methods & Exhibition is replaced by AP Seminar.
Develop a comprehensive portfolio with examples of best work, extracurricular participation, and reflection.
Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma (26 Credits) Graduates receive honors and are recognized for completing a rigorous program of advanced studies designed to meet the entrance requirements of the University of Missouri system and the best universities nationwide.
Students who are in the graduating classes of 2020 and beyond are eligible to earn the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma. This nationally-recognized program combines a rigorous plan of study throughout high school with two additional in-depth courses focusing on research. This diploma program was developed and is sanctioned by the College Board, and it is listed as one of the Honors Diploma options on the “Common App” (a college application many students use when applying to multiple universities).
The AP Capstone Diploma can be earned by students who successfully complete the AP Capstone courses – AP Seminar and AP Research – with a score of 3 or above on the assessments, and earn a 3 or above on 4 additional AP courses taken at any point during a student’s high school career. AP Seminar is an elective course open to any student in grades 10 through 12. AP Research is an English Language Arts (ELA) course and can only be taken by seniors who have completed AP Seminar as a prerequisite. AP Seminar and AP Research cannot be taken concurrently.
Students may choose to take AP Seminar and AP Research as stand-alone courses, and successful completion of those courses with a score of 3 or above on the exams allows a student to earn an AP Seminar and Research Certificate. Students in the class of 2020 who want to earn the AP Capstone Diploma or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate must enroll in AP Seminar for the 2018-19 school year.
AP Capstone & Gold Medallion
The AP Capstone Diploma can be earned as an extension of, or in addition to, the current Gold Medallion Diploma. The chart below provides a comparison of the requirements of both diploma programs, as well as the requirements needed to earn both challenging diplomas simultaneously:
For more information on the AP Capstone diploma or developing a personal plan of study, contact your school counseling department.
International Baccalaureate Diploma (26.5 Credits) Graduates receive honors and are recognized for completing rigorous international curricula designed to meet the entrance requirements of the world's best universities.
The prestigious IB Diploma Programme is recognized as one of the most challenging college-preparatory curricula available and is offered in more than 2,460 schools in 146 countries. Only 942 schools in the United States, of which 14 are in Missouri, offer the IB Diploma Programme.
Additional information may be found on the IB website.
International Baccalaureate Career-Related Program Certificate (IBCP) (26 Credits) Graduates receive honors and are recognized for completing rigorous international curricula combined with a career pathway to enter the workforce and/or to meet the entrance requirements of higher learning institutions.
North Kansas City Schools is pleased to offer the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP). The IBCP is designed to merge academic and career-related courses and to prepare students for work in the 21st century.
Additional information may be found on the IB website.
Additional information on advanced studies and diploma options may be found in the program tabs on this page or in the current Career Planning and Education Guide.
