Pursuing the Expanded Diploma through Beyond LHS

Why do we have an Expanded Diploma?

Lebanon High Schooloffers students two diploma options: a Standard Diploma and an Expanded Diploma. The Expanded Diploma offers students continued early college options while complying with Oregon Department of Education’s expectations that students work on accomplishing goals that are in their personal Educational Plans and Profiles (EPP) as they complete their diploma requirements.  Depending upon their educational plans, students make a choice to pursue either a Standard or an Expanded Lebanon High School Diploma.

 If a student chooses to pursue an Expanded Lebanon High School Diploma...

 ...Do they get to participate in LHS commencement ceremonies? In order to participate in commencement ceremonies at LHS, students must have completed or surpassed all of the requirements necessary for the Standard Diploma. Expanded diploma students do not receive a diploma on the day of commencement ceremonies, but rather return to participate the following fall in Beyond LHS and work on their Expanded Diploma requirements.

 ... What date would appear on the Expanded Diploma? The diploma will be dated and issued following the last college term in which the student is served through Beyond LHS. Students sometimes wonder if this will reflect poorly on them and make it appear that they have taken a long time to complete high school. Universities that evaluate transcripts have advised LHS that this is not a problem, but rather that they prefer seeing college courses listed on a high school transcript as it is a signal to them that students are willing to pursue more rigorous coursework. They also indicate that they will be looking most closely at a student's college transcript, especially if they have accumulated enough credits to apply as a transfer student.

 ... What if a student starts to pursue an Expanded Diploma, but later changes their mind or direction -- can they still get their Standard Diploma?  Yes, assuming that the student has met all the requirements of the Standard Diploma. Sometimes students' plans or life circumstances change prior to accomplishing the Expanded Diploma. 

 … What if a student accepts their Standard Diploma, but later changes their mind and wishes to pursue the Expanded Diploma -- can the student give their Standard Diploma back to LHS and then pursue the Expanded Diploma? No, Beyond LHS cannot serve students after they have received a diploma.

 ... What are the credit requirements of the Expanded Diploma, and how is it different than the Standard Diploma?  This table shows the two diplomas for 2012 in 2013.

*Degrees/Certificate credits are earned specifically from college credits which apply to the student's chosen college pathway. Note that it typically takes three or more college credits to earn one high school credit, and that the 12 credit requirement of this category refers to 12 "high school" credits, after having been converted from college credits.

Questions?  Feel free to contact us at BeyondLHS@lebanon.k12.or.us