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Academic Planning

Academic Planning

Academic planning helps students select courses, understand graduation requirements, explore accelerated opportunities, and prepare for life after high school. Whether your goal is college, career training, military service, or entering the workforce, Boone offers multiple pathways to help you reach your future goals.

Graduation Requirements

Students may earn a Florida Standard Diploma through several state-approved graduation options. All students should carefully monitor their progress toward graduation and work with their school counselor to ensure they are meeting diploma requirements. Florida students must earn the required credits, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, and meet statewide assessment requirements or approved concordant score options.

    • English Language Arts: 4 credits
    • Mathematics: 4 credits (including Algebra 1 and Geometry)
    • Science: 3 credits (including Biology 1 and two additional science courses)
    • Social Studies: 3 credits
      • 1 credit World History
      • 1 credit U.S. History
      • 0.5 credit U.S. Government
      • 0.5 credit Economics with Financial Literacy
    • Fine Arts, Speech, Debate, or Practical Arts: 1 credit
    • Physical Education: 1 credit (HOPE or equivalent)
    • Electives: 8 credits

  • To earn a standard diploma, students must satisfy graduation testing requirements, including:

    • Grade 10 FAST English Language Arts (ELA) assessment requirement
    • Algebra 1 End-of-Course (EOC) assessment requirement

    Students may also meet these requirements through approved concordant or comparative scores on qualifying assessments (see below).

Concordant Scores

Students who do not meet the required passing score on statewide graduation assessments may be eligible to meet graduation requirements through approved concordant scores on the ACT, SAT, or other state-approved assessments. Because concordant score requirements can change, families are encouraged to review the most current information from the Florida Department of Education and speak with their school counselor regarding eligibility.

  • A student may satisfy the Algebra 1 graduation requirement by earning any one of the following:

    • SAT Math: 420 or higher
    • PSAT/NMSQT Math: 430 or higher
    • PSAT 10 Math: 430 or higher
    • ACT Math: 16 or higher
    • PreACT Secure Math: 16 or higher
    • CLT Quantitative Reasoning: 14 or higher
    • CLT10 Quantitative Reasoning: 14 or higher
    • BEST Geometry EOC: Level 3 or higher
    • Algebra 1 EOC Retake: Level 3 or higher

  • A student may satisfy the Grade 10 FAST ELA graduation requirement by earning any one of the following:

    • SAT Reading and Writing: 490 or higher
    • PSAT/NMSQT Reading and Writing: 470 or higher
    • PSAT 10 Reading and Writing: 470 or higher
    • ACT English and Reading (average): 18 or higher
    • PreACT Secure English and Reading (average): 18 or higher
    • CLT Grammar/Writing + Verbal Reasoning (combined): 39 or higher
    • CLT10 Grammar/Writing + Verbal Reasoning (combined): 39 or higher
    • FAST Grade 10 ELA PM3 Retake: Level 3 or higher

Alternative Diploma Options

  • The AP Capstone Diploma is designed for students who enjoy research, writing, analysis, and problem solving. To earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must:

    • Successfully complete AP Seminar and AP Research
    • Earn a score of 3 or higher on both AP Seminar and AP Research exams
    • Earn a score of 3 or higher on four additional AP exams

    The AP Capstone Diploma is recognized by colleges and universities throughout the nation and demonstrates advanced academic skills and college readiness.

    Boone Recommendation

    Students interested in selective colleges, academic research, law, medicine, engineering, or other highly competitive programs should consider the AP Capstone pathway.

  • The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma is an internationally recognized program emphasizing critical thinking, research, and interdisciplinary learning.

    Students earn the diploma by successfully completing a required combination of Cambridge examinations across multiple subject areas, including mathematics/science, languages, humanities, and Global Perspectives. Florida students who earn the AICE Diploma may also qualify for the highest level of Bright Futures scholarship funding when all eligibility requirements are met.

    Boone Recommendation

    Students seeking a broad, rigorous academic experience with strong college preparation and scholarship opportunities should consider the AICE pathway.

  • The Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) option allows eligible students to earn a standard high school diploma with 18 credits rather than the traditional 24-credit program.

    Important considerations:

    • Students must still satisfy assessment requirements.
    • Students must still meet GPA requirements.
    • Elective opportunities may be reduced.
    • Participation in athletics, extracurricular activities, or advanced coursework plans should be carefully considered before selecting this option.

    Students interested in the ACCEL pathway should meet with their counselor to discuss whether this option aligns with their postsecondary goals.

Academic Recognitions

  • Every Friday afternoon, families receive progress notifications based on current grades.

    Academic Recognition

    Students earning all A's or All A's and B's in their classes receive a congratulatory message and may receive special offers or incentives from community business partners.

    Academic Alert Notification

    Families of students who have one or more D or F grades receive a notification identifying the affected course(s). These notifications encourage students and families to communicate with teachers and seek support before grades become larger concerns.

  • At the end of each quarter, students earning:

    Principal's Honor Roll

    • All A's for the previous marking period

    Academic Honor Roll

    • All A's and B's for the previous marking period

    receive classroom recognition that includes a certificate and one of the following:

    • Boone merchandise
    • Snacks
    • Special lunch activities and celebrations

  • Students are invited to the annual Honors Breakfast hosted by our PTSO when they meet one of the following criteria:

    • Cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.5 or higher
    • Freshmen who earn a 3.5 GPA or higher during their first quarter of high school

    Invitations are distributed each December.

  • The Top 20 Banquet recognizes Boone's twenty graduating seniors with the highest cumulative GPAs. Students celebrate this achievement alongside family members, staff, and distinguished guests.

  • Each spring, Boone recognizes graduating seniors for exceptional academic accomplishments.

    Principal's Honor Roll Graduate

    Students who earn straight A's throughout all four years of high school.

    AP Scholar with Honor

    Awarded to students who earn:

    • Scores of 3 or higher on four or more AP Exams
    • An average AP Exam score of at least 3.25 across all AP Exams taken

    AP Scholar with Distinction

    Awarded to students who earn:

    • Scores of 3 or higher on five or more AP Exams
    • An average AP Exam score of at least 3.5 across all AP Exams taken

    AP Capstone Diploma

    Students who complete the AP Capstone Diploma requirements.

    Cambridge Diploma Candidate

    Students who successfully pursue the Cambridge AICE Diploma pathway.

    Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree

    Students who complete all requirements for an Associate in Arts degree while simultaneously earning their high school diploma.

    4.0 Unweighted GPA Recognition

    Graduates who maintain a cumulative unweighted GPA of 4.0 throughout high school.

    Top 20 Seniors

    Students graduating with one of the twenty highest cumulative GPAs in their class.

    Super Scholar Recognition

    Boone High School is proud to recognize graduating seniors who:

    • Are accepted to colleges or universities ranked among the nation's top 1%
    • Are accepted to historically Black colleges and universities recognized among the nation's leading institutions
    • Receive appointments to United States Service Academies

    Academic Scholarship Recognition

    Students receiving significant academic scholarships are recognized during Senior Awards.

Pathways Based on Your Goals

Academic planning is about creating a pathway that aligns with your interests, strengths, and future goals. While some students have a clear vision of what comes next after high school, many are still exploring possibilities, and both approaches are perfectly okay. Honors, AP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, Career and Technical Education, industry certifications, extracurricular activities, and leadership opportunities each provide unique benefits. Some students choose to focus deeply on one area, while others combine experiences from multiple pathways to build a well-rounded academic plan.

The best pathway is not necessarily one specific program or experience. It is the combination of opportunities that supports your goals today while keeping doors open for tomorrow. Whether you are planning for college, military service, career training, direct entry into the workforce, or are still deciding, Boone offers a variety of pathways that can be tailored to your individual interests and aspirations. We encourage students to explore options, challenge themselves, and build a plan that reflects who they are and who they hope to become.

Remember: pathways are designed to be flexible. Many students find the greatest success by combining opportunities from multiple areas to create a plan that reflects their unique goals and interests.

    • Honors Courses
    • AP Courses
    • AICE Courses
    • Dual Enrollment
    • AP Capstone or AICE Diploma
    • Community Service
    • Academic Clubs and Leadership Opportunities

    • Dual Enrollment
    • Valencia College Partnership Programs
    • A.A. Degree Pathway started by Spring Semester 10th grade
    • Advanced Mathematics and English Course Sequences

    • Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs
    • Industry Certifications
    • Career Academies
    • Work-Based Learning Experiences

    • Enrolled in JROTC
    • Rigorous academic coursework
    • Leadership activities
    • Physical fitness opportunities
    • Community service
    • Career and technical certifications
    • Take the ASVAB

    • Career and Technical Education pathways
    • Industry certifications
    • Employability skills training
    • Work-based learning opportunities
    • Career planning and resume development

    • A student interested in engineering might take advanced math and science courses while also earning an industry certification through a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
    • A student planning to attend a selective university may combine AP or AICE coursework with Dual Enrollment, leadership activities, and community service.
    • A future teacher might participate in Dual Enrollment while taking AP courses to begin earning college credit and strengthening college readiness skills.
    • A student interested in healthcare could combine rigorous science courses with health science coursework, certifications, volunteer experiences, and college-level classes.
    • A student considering military service may build leadership skills through extracurricular activities while completing advanced coursework and career-focused certifications.
    • A student entering the workforce after graduation might focus on a career academy or CTE pathway, earn industry certifications, and participate in work-based learning experiences while still taking college-preparatory courses.
    • A student who is still exploring future options may choose a mix of Honors, AP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, elective courses, and extracurricular activities to discover new interests while keeping multiple opportunities open after graduation.