Indiana Diploma Requirements

Picture of Penn Principal Racehl Fry shaking the hands of a high school graduate wearing a Navy commencement sash. Words read "New Diploma Requirements, Starting with the Class of 2029)

What are the new Graduation Pathways?

The Indiana Department of Education’s new requirements are in place for the Class of 2029 and beyond.

By establishing the Graduation Pathways, the IDOE seeks to support Indiana’s high school students post-graduation goals Enrollment, Employment, or Enlistment by enabling them individualize their graduation requirements to align with their individualized aspirations.

  • Enrollment (College & Higher Education):
    • Focus: Preparing students for two-year, four-year, or technical degree programs.
    • Requirements: Completion of core academic coursework, maintaining grades, and earning college readiness milestones (such as dual-credit courses, AP credits, or the Indiana College Core).
    • Honors / Honors Plus: Recognizes advanced achievement like earning an associate degree or AP Scholar distinction.
  • Employment (Workforce & Trade Skills):
    • Focus: Direct entry into the workforce, trade programs, or apprenticeships.
    • Requirements: Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, market-driven industry credentials, and structured work-based learning hours (ranging from 75 to 650+ hours depending on the seal level).
    • Honors / Honors Plus: Requires deeper hours of work-based learning, apprenticeships, or higher-level certifications.
  • Enlistment & Service (Military & Public Safety):
    • Focus: Military service, ROTC, or public service/safety careers.
    • Requirements: Public service coursework or JROTC participation, meeting physical and character standards, and achieving a qualifying score on the ASVAB test.
    • Honors / Honors Plus: Higher ASVAB performance and documented student leadership or extended service roles. 

How do I earn credits under the new Graduation Pathways?

The new Indiana diploma, effective for all students beginning with the class of 2029, includes a base (minimum requirements) for every student, plus the opportunity to earn readiness seals aligned with their unique path. Students are encouraged to seize this flexibility by personalizing their high school experience.

The new seals provide additional intentionality to maximize readiness and are designed to be permeable, allowing students to update their graduation plan and pivot, if their original interests and goals change. Students who do not earn a seal must still complete components 2 and 3 of Graduation Pathways.

Click the images below to learn more about the required cretits for each pathway and the Readiness Seals. You can also visit the IDOE Graduation Pathways website.

IDOE Chart explaining the new Indiana Diploma: EARNING CREDITS for School Year 2025-2026  IDOE chart explaining the Graduation Readiness Seals

Penn High School Resources to Help Explain the Graduation Pathways

We encourage Incoming Freshmen families to watch the video below and review the accompanying links that describe the diploma changes in greater depth. 

We have provided the time stamps below to help you navigate the video. 

  • 00:38 – The Freshman Experience
  • 1:42 – Introducing the New Indiana Diploma 
  • 3:00 – Honors Seal Explanation
  • 3:51 – Honors PLUS Seal Explanation
  • 4:52 – Choosing classes and 9th Grade Course Selection Sheet
  • 5:23 – Scheduling Timeline
  • 5:51 – Honors Classes, Electives, & Math Sequence
  • 6:53– PE vs. Physical Conditioning & Summer PE/Health

Who can I contact if I have Questions?

If you have any questions about the Diploma Requirements, please call Penn High School Counseling Center at (574) 258-9502 during school hours.

If you have questions about enrolling in Penn High School, please click here. You can also email your Penn High School Enrollment questions, by clicking here.