Richlands, North Carolina is found in the district of the Onslow County School System. Onslow County is aligning its educational goals and expectations with the North Carolina Board of Education, meeting state goals and requirements. Students graduating from Richlands, North Carolina will have met the requirements created by this alignment as well as those based upon the path of study chosen. Students that entered the ninth grade in the 2009 to 2010 school year and thereafter are bound to those requirements.
The "Future Ready Core" requires a student to obtain 21 total credits to graduate. The 21 credits include four sequential units, or credits, of English and four units of Math. Students are required to have three units of both science and social studies. In order to graduate from Richlands, students must also have a physical education credit along with two elective credits. The elective credits must be from career and technical courses or arts education courses. As an alternative students may take four credits from other given areas of education.
Not only do students have to obtain 21 credits, they must also show a certain level of proficiency has been obtained within the courses. Students must pass with a level three proficiency at the end of a course test for Algebra 1, English 1, Biology, Civics and Economics, and U.S. History. Meeting this level of proficiency represents students learning at the mastery level in each subject. These requirements represent the exiting standards of the district.
Each graduating senior must also complete a senior project. The project includes many parts leading to a whole. The process begins with a review of the topic chosen, research must be shown in an eight to 10 page research paper and a product related to the research. Students must also complete a portfolio tracking their project and present their final results to a panel of community and faculty members.
Students entering ninth grade prior to the 2009 to 2010 school year are under requirements based upon college prep or career prep paths. In addition, policies are in place for special considerations such as honor graduates, students with disabilities, early graduation, graduation certificate and certificate of achievement.
Honor graduates will receive recognition during graduation and on their transcripts as well as a seal on their diploma.
Early graduation may be permitted under certain recommendations and criteria.
Students with disabilities, not participating in occupational studies, may apply in writing to the board to be exempted from taking the competency tests. The board will ensure the parents/legal guardians of the student understand a diploma will not be issued if the competency tests are not taken and passed.
Students with disabilities who are following the occupational course of study will not be
required to pass the competency test or the high school exit standards in order to graduate
and receive a diploma.
A graduation certificate will be awarded to students enrolled in programs for exceptional children who have not met the requirements on the state competency examinations if the students have successfully completed 20 course units by general subject area and their individualized education program. The certificates may be awarded at the regular graduation ceremony.
Students who are generally required to take the competency tests but do not not pass the competency tests will be given a certificate of achievement and be allowed to participate in graduation exercises. They will be encouraged to continue to work toward meeting competency.
Additional information and details concerning the requirements and policies can be gained through the Onslow County Board of Education or Richlands High School counselor's office.