High School Curriculum

The minimum requirement for an Olathe high school diploma is 24 credits. Depending on the course and nature of course delivery, units of credit will be awarded in increments of one full (1.0) or one-half (.5) credit. The 24 credits required for graduation in 2028 and beyond include:

4.5 Communication

• 1.0 English 9 or Honors English 9
• 1.0 English 10 or Honors English 10
• 1.0 English 11 (College or Career Prep) or AP Language and Composition
• 1.0 English 12 (College or Career Prep) or AP English Literature and Composition
• English Language Learners I, II and III

7.0 STEM

• 3.0 Math (regular or AP)
• 3.0 Science (1.0 Life Science; 1.0 Physical Science; 1.0 science additional elective)
• 1.0 STEM elective

5.0 Society and Humanities

• 3.0 Social Studies (1.0 Modern World History or Honors Modern World History, freshmen; 1.0 U.S. History or AP U.S. History, juniors; 0.5 U.S. Government or AP U.S. Government and Politics, seniors; 0.5 social studies elective
• 1.0 Fine or performing arts
• 1.0 Language applications

7.0 Employability and Life Skills

• 0.5 Physical Education
• 0.5 Health
• 0.5 Financial Literacy
• 0.5 Life Studies
• 5.5 individual focus

2 Post-secondary Assets

• Eligible activities and achievements are in the program planning guide

Students must meet Olathe graduation requirements to be eligible to participate in the graduation exercises. Exception: Seniors who transfer from other school districts and who have been on track to meet graduation requirements in their former school, but cannot meet the 24 Olathe unit requirement, will be allowed to graduate with their class. The transfer student must meet the minimum requirements of the Kansas Department of Education.

Students should be advised that any credit earned after their eighth grade year will be counted as senior high credit and will be on the high school transcript. Example: Driver Education.

The weighted grading system will be used to determine all Olathe student honors and distinctions.

Board of Regents — Qualified Admissions Curriculum

Qualified Admissions (QA) are a set of standards used by the six state universities to review applicants for undergraduate admission. The universities using QA are Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Kansas State, Pittsburg State, University of Kansas, and Wichita State. These standards are set by the Kansas Board of Regents, the governing body for the state universities. It is important to note that our Olathe graduation requirements must be met to graduate from Olathe Public Schools. Please consult your student's school counselor with any questions.

At its Sept. 18, 2019 meeting, the Kansas Board of Regents approved amendments to the Qualified Admissions (QA) criteria. The new standards are below.

Accredited High School Graduate Going to Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University, Fort Hays State University or Wichita State University:

• ACT 21 or higher OR cumulative GPA of 2.25.
• Units (but not specific courses) are recommended; units are not required.
• 2.0 cumulative GPA on any college courses taken while in high school.

Accredited High School Graduate Going to Kansas State University:

• ACT 21 or higher OR cumulative GPA of 3.25.
• Units (but not specific courses) are recommended; units are not required.
• 2.0 cumulative GPA on any college courses taken while in high school.

Accredited High School Graduate Going to The University of Kansas:

• Cumulative GPA of 3.25 and ACT 21 or higher OR cumulative GPA of 3.0 and ACT 24 or higher.
• Units (but not specific courses) are recommended; units are not required.
• 2.0 cumulative GPA on any college courses taken while in high school.

Board of Regents — Kansas Scholars Curriculum

This is a state-sponsored scholarship program. Names of students who complete this curriculum are sent to the Board of Regents along with the student’s GPA. The Board determines the State Scholars; these are the students who can apply for the following need-based scholarships: Kansas State Scholar Scholarship, Nursing Scholarship, Teaching Scholarship, Minority Scholarhip. These scholarships range from $50–$1,000 and must be used at a Kansas college or university. To be considered as a scholar, this curriculum must be met:

• 4 credits of English
• 3 credits of Social Studies
• 4 credits of Math, must begin with Algebra 1 or higher class
• 3 credits of Science – must be biology, chemistry, and physics
• 2 credits of World Language – must be the same language and must be taken while in high school

The Olathe Public Schools support an Open Access philosophy. Open Access allows students desiring to take an advanced course offering, honors or Advanced Placement class, admission into that class. The Olathe district encourages each student to take the most challenging courses for which the student is capable. Student interests, abilities, goals, and past record of achievement should guide course selection.

Advanced Placement (AP) is an internationally recognized standard of academic excellence that provides the following benefits to students:

• AP curricula have been successfully mastered by students who are hardworking and dedicated to excellence and typically rank in the upper 25 percent of their class.
• AP can enhance a student's opportunities for scholarships and career possibilities.
• AP can enhance the student's opportunities to receive admission into recognized universities and post-secondary programs.
• AP can reduce college costs and the time required to obtain a degree by providing post-secondary credit for courses and examinations completed successfully in high school. AP exams are given in May and scored by the Educational Testing Service. Students are encouraged to take AP exams to demonstrate successful AP course completion.

NOTE: Each college or university determines which AP examination/score will be accepted.

Courses that may be taken for Advanced Placement are:

• AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition
• AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics I, AP Physics II
• AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Statistics
• AP College Physics I, AP Physics C
• AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles
• AP/Honors United States History, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP European History, AP Psychology
• AP Studio Art
• AP French 5, AP Spanish 5
• AP Music Theory

Tenth-, 11th- and 12th-grade students have the opportunity to take academic courses which have been identified by the school district and Johnson County Community College as college-equivalent courses (College Now). All College Now students must have appropriate ACT or other placement test score. (See your school counselor for more information.) Upon payment of specified tuition and fees and successful completion of the courses, college credit can be earned. Only students admitted to designated college equivalency courses can apply for this college credit option.

JCCC will charge an amount not to exceed that charged to any student as tuition for enrolling in similar campus-based courses. No additional charge beyond those authorized for high school rental fees and materials used for classroom activities will be made.

Enrollment information will be distributed in all high school courses designated as college credit classes. 

Olathe high schools' grading system is reflective of a weighted grade system. The weighted grade system is used to determine all Olathe student honors and distinctions. The high school Program Planning Guide has specific information regarding computation of weighted grades.

Amendments to the Qualified Admissions Criteria - English (PDF) 

Amendments to the Qualified Admissions Criteria - Spanish (PDF)

Family Guide to English Language Arts - Grades 9-10 (PDF) Family Guide to English Language Arts - Grades 11-12 (PDF)

Olathe Public Schools' course curriculum standards are approved by the Board of Education. They parallel national and state standards and are consistent across the entire district to provide a road map for all educators as they plan to teach what students need to know and do.

Standards are designed to assess students' individual strengths and needs for growth and success, providing a solid foundation of skills and learning experiences to fulfill the district mission of Their Future is Our Future. 

View the High School Curriculum Standards

What is AVID?

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) system is a four-year college preparatory program designed to increase student success in post-secondary studies. This program typically serves students who are hard workers & provides them with tools and experiences that will help them succeed in high school and post-secondary education. AVID students have an AVID class in their schedule every semester

In the Olathe Public Schools, AVID is a comprehensive program that equips students with the tools to succeed in life after high school graduation. AVID. students enjoy support as they pursue academic rigor in their coursework, building college readiness skills. Students are afforded opportunities to visit college campuses and are assisted with college and scholarship applications.

The AVID Student Profile: An AVID student has a strong desire to pursue education beyond high school and possesses an internal drive to succeed. They may need support in developing organization and study skills, but are capable of handling rigorous coursework with guidance. Often, though not always, AVID students are first-generation college students who are motivated to achieve their academic and personal goals.

The AVID Student Experience: Emphasis is placed on developing strong organizational skills, using a planner, and taking focused notes. Students enroll in honors or advanced courses as soon as appropriate, with support provided as needed. They participate in community service and focus on post-secondary plans, scholarships, and college applications. AVID students attend college visits with their class and are encouraged to be involved in clubs, activities, sports, or leadership roles. They benefit from a family-like atmosphere that fosters academic and social support, teamwork, and personal growth. Additionally, students have the opportunity to earn an AVID honors cord to wear at graduation.

AVID Student Success

AVID students have achieved remarkable success over the years, earning numerous scholarships including, but not limited to, the Kansas Scholar, Dell Scholar, KC Scholar, and Rudd Scholarship. While AVID students are not guaranteed scholarship awards, the program equips them with the skills, support, and determination needed to pursue and earn these opportunities.

The AVID Student Application Process 

1. Eligibility: Eligible students are current eighth graders (in-coming freshman class the following fall), or current freshmen and sophomores. Any student who fits the AVID Student Profile can apply, including students who are on an IEP, ELL students, 504 students, Career Pathway academy students, and/or those on the free and reduced program.

2. The 2026-27 application form opens January 29, 2026. The application deadline is March 13, 2026.

Current 8th graders application Current 9th and 10th graders application

3. The student applicant interview process varies by high school.

4. Teacher Recommendations: Students will submit the names of two current teachers from their CURRENT schedule for teacher recommendations.

Questions regarding the AVID program can be emailed to Julie Fishburn For more information, talk with your high school counselor. 

Connect with AVID on X

Spring 2026 Session

Olathe Northwest High School will be the site of the spring session, Feb. 17-April 30. The application will open on Jan. 7 and close at noon Jan. 28.

Driver's Education Application

Olathe Public Schools 2026 graduation ceremonies will take place on the following dates and times at College Boulevard Activity Center, 11031 S. Valley Road, Olathe:

• Olathe West High School — Friday, May 15, 7 p.m.
• Olathe North High School — Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m.
• Olathe South High School — Saturday, May 16, 7 p.m.
• Olathe East High School — Sunday, May 17, 2 p.m.
• Olathe Northwest High School — Sunday, May 17, 7 p.m.

There is no limit on the number of guests per graduate unless ceremonies are moved indoors to Olathe Northwest High School because of inclement weather. In that case, seniors would receive seven tickets for guests.

Any communication regarding moving a graduation ceremony indoors due to inclement weather would be made 2.5 hours prior to the ceremony.

Students should contact their school counseling department to sign up for these tests. All testing is completed at the student's building.

Local Testing Day: All tests will be administered on Oct. 16, 2024.

PreACT 8/9

• This test is for freshmen.

Additional information is available on the ACT website

Pre-ACT

• This test is for sophomores.

Additional information about the Pre-ACT is available on the ACT website

WorkKeys

• This is for all juniors and any senior attending Olathe Advanced Technical Center who has not taken WorkKeys on the district's state contract.

Additional information about WorkKeys is available on the ACT website

Practice ACT

• This exam is for juniors.
• Students will take a recently retired version of the ACT and receive scores in order to aid in their preparation for the ACT.

PSAT

• This test is open to freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
• Juniors taking the PSAT may qualify to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program based upon earned scores.
• There is a fee to take this test.

Additional information about the PSAT is available on the CollegeBoard website

ACT Spring State Testing

The Kansas State Department of Education has partnered with ACT to provide testing opportunities for students as they explore post-secondary options.

• This test is for all juniors.
• The fee for this test date is covered by KSDE.

Additional information about the ACT is available on the ACT website

Learn more about scholarship opportunities on the Olathe Public Schools Foundation website