High School Diploma Seal Requirements

Governor’s Seal

The Governor’s Seal shall be awarded to students who complete the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of “B” or better and successfully complete college-level coursework that will earn the student at least nine transferable college credits in Advanced Placement (AP), or Dual Enrollment (DE).

Board of Education Seal

The Board of Education Seal shall be awarded to students who complete the requirements for a Standard Diploma or Advanced Studies Diploma with an average grade of “A.”

Board of Education Biliteracy Seal

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) awards the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy to students who attain proficiency in English and one or more world languages by high school graduation. Criteria to earn the Seal of Biliteracy include:

• Pass all required End-of Course Assessments in English reading and writing at the proficient or higher level.
• Demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate-mid level or higher in one or more languages other than English, as demonstrated through a state-approved assessment.

Board of Education STEM Seal

The Board of Education’s STEM Seal shall be awarded to students who earn either a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma and:

• Satisfy all Math and Science requirements for the Advanced Studies diploma with a “B” average or better in all course work, and
• Successfully complete a 50 hour or more work-based learning opportunity in a STEM area, and
• Satisfy all requirements for a Career and Technical Education concentration. A concentration is a coherent sequence of two or more state-approved courses as identified in the course listing within the CTE Administrative Planning Guide, and pass one of the following:
  • a Board of Education CTE STEM-H credential examination, or
  • an examination approved by the Board that confers a college-level credit in a STEM field

Career and Technical Education Seal

To earn a Career and Technical Education Diploma Seal, students must:

• Fulfill the requirements for either a standard or advanced studies diploma.
• Complete prescribed sequence of courses in a CTE concentration or specialization.
• Meet one of the following conditions:
  • Maintain a B or better average in CTE courses.
  • Pass an exam that confers certification from a recognized industry, trade, or professional association. Example: Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
  • Acquire a professional license in a career and technical field. Example: Licensed Cosmetologist

Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Civics Education

The Board of Education’s Seal for Excellence in Civics Education will be awarded to students who earn either a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma and:

• Complete Virginia and United States History and Virginia and United States Government courses with a grade of "B" or higher; and,
• Have good attendance and no disciplinary infractions as determined by local school board policies and,
• Complete 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities. Activities that would satisfy the requirements of clause (iii) of this subdivision include:
  • Volunteering for a charitable or religious organization that provides services to the poor, sick or less fortunate;
  • Participating in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or similar youth organizations;
  • Participating in JROTC;
  • Participating in political campaigns or government internships, or Boys State, Girls State, or Model General Assembly; or
  • Participating in school-sponsored extracurricular activities that have a civics focus. Any student who enlists in the United States military prior to graduation will be deemed to have met this community service requirement.

Excellence in Science and the Environment Seal

The Seal for Excellence in Science and the Environment is awarded to students who enter the ninth grade for the first time in the 2018-2019 year and thereafter, and meet each of the following criteria:

• Earn either a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma
• Complete at least three different first-level board-approved laboratory science courses and at least one rigorous advanced-level or postsecondary-level laboratory science course, each with a grade of “B” or higher
• Complete laboratory or field-science research and present that research in a formal, juried setting
• Complete at least 50 hours of voluntary participation in community service or extracurricular activities that involve the application of science such as environmental monitoring, protection, management, or restoration.