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The Path to Graduation

Career Development Planning in Duplin County Schools:

In Duplin County Schools, we believe that preparing students for life beyond high school begins well before graduation. As part of our commitment to college and career readiness, all students begin developing a Career Development Plan in 8th grade using NCCareers.org — a state-supported platform that helps students explore career interests, assess their strengths, and set personalized goals for the future.

This plan is designed to grow with each student. It is reviewed annually and receives a more in-depth update during 10th grade with support from a Career Development Coordinator (CDC) or School Counselor. Students maintain access to their plan throughout high school and are encouraged to update it as their goals and interests evolve.

Our students follow a strategic, data-informed career development process that equips them to make informed decisions about their future. Parents can review our Career and College Readiness Plan here. Whether students are planning to attend college, enter the workforce, join the military, or pursue another pathway, they receive ongoing guidance and support to help them make wise, confident choices.

Families are encouraged to engage in this process, review their student’s plan, and have conversations about future goals and career interests. Together, we can ensure every student is on a path to success.

High School Registration in Duplin County Schools:

High school course registration in Duplin County Schools is a thoughtful process designed to align with each student’s Career Development Plan and testing data to support their long-term goals. Students work closely with school counselors, Career Development Coordinators, and other support staff to make informed decisions about their academic pathways. We encourage students and families to explore our Duplin County Schools Course Catalog for detailed information on available courses and pathways. Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, all high school registration will be completed through Infinite Campus, allowing for a more streamlined and accessible experience for students and families.

Graduation Paths in Duplin County Schools:

Navigating High School in Duplin County Schools:

High School Assessments and Exam Exemption:

Throughout high school, students in Duplin County Schools will participate in a variety of assessments designed to measure their skills, knowledge, interests, and aptitudes. These assessments support academic planning and help guide future educational and career decisions. For a complete listing of this school year's assessments and reporting dates, click here. 

At the end of each course, students will take a final exam to evaluate their academic progress and mastery of content. This exam constitutes 20% of the student’s final course grade. Depending on the course, final assessments may include End-of-Course (EOC) tests, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Proofs of Learning, or teacher-developed exams. Duplin County Schools offers students the opportunity and reward of exempting non-required final exams as listed below:  

Final Exam Exemptions

In an effort to provide students with an incentive to attend school and do their best, Duplin County Schools will allow high school students to be exempt from final exams in specific courses. No student may be exempt from taking final exams in courses requiring North Carolina end-of-course (EOC) tests or Career and Technical Education Proofs of Learning (CTE State Assessment, Credentials, or Performance-Based Measures). The following criteria will determine if a student is eligible for a final exam exemption in an individual course.

  • 80-100 average and no more than 5 total absences during the semester. No more than one absence may be unexcused. Any assignment of OSS/ISS by a school administrator will cause a student to lose eligibility for exam exemption during that semester for the classes impacted.


Students may be exempt from an eligible final exam only if they meet the above criteria. If a student is exempt from a final exam, no final exam score will be recorded for the student, and their final grade will be made up of the average of the two grading period grades. No teacher can waive an exam for an entire course. Time out of class for any school-sponsored events will not count as an absence relating to final exam exemptions.


Students facing significant hardships may appeal excused absences for exam exemption purposes by completing and submitting an Excessive Absence Appeal Form along with the appropriate documentation. Appeal requests must be submitted at least 10 school days before the first day of exams each semester. If students facing significant hardships meet academic criteria, the principal may exempt them from non-EOC/state-required final exams upon approval of the Excessive Absence Appeal Form. Appeals will be reviewed initially by the principal at the school level, then reviewed by a District-Level Attendance Appeal Committee if deemed necessary by the principal. Waivers are extremely rare and will only be considered for well-documented, uncontrollable circumstances. The decision of the principal will be final and cannot be appealed further.


Absences related to but not limited to typical illness, college visitations, educational absences, and family vacations are specific examples of absences that will not be waived through an appeal request.


Participating in the final exam may positively impact a student’s final course grade and should be considered when deciding whether to be exempt. Students who choose to take the final exam will be required to count the exam score as 20% of their final grade, regardless of their score.


If a student is exempted from an exam and is not present in the school for the school day or not at a place other than the school with the approval of the appropriate school official to attend an authorized school activity, the student is absent.

High School Grading System, Promotion, and Honors:
High School Grading System

Duplin County Schools is committed to maintaining high standards of academic achievement. Teachers are responsible for evaluating student performance and maintaining accurate records to support the grades and assessments assigned in each course.

All elementary, middle, and high schools in the district follow the North Carolina statewide grading scale:

Grades 3–12:

  • A = 90–100
  • B = 80–89
  • C = 70–79
  • D = 60–69
  • F = 0–59

Regular assessment and feedback help ensure that grades reflect student growth, understanding, and progress toward academic goals.

High School Honors and Class Ranking Information:

Duplin County Schools follows a consistent and transparent process for calculating Grade Point Averages (GPA), determining class rank, and awarding Latin Honors to recognize academic achievement.

Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA)

The following courses are included when calculating a student’s GPA:
  • All coursework attempted in grades 9–12 while enrolled in Duplin County Schools
  • Courses taken at another accredited institution during grades 9–12 prior to enrolling in Duplin County Schools
  • Courses from an accredited institution required for graduation but not offered by Duplin County Schools
  • Courses taken through the Career and College Promise (CCP) program
  • Approved e-learning courses

The following courses are not included in GPA calculations:

  • Courses transferred from home schools or non-accredited institutions
  • High school-level courses completed while in middle school
  • Any other coursework that does not meet the criteria listed above
  • Weighted and Unweighted GPA:

Each student will receive an unweighted GPA, which reflects standard grade points and a weighted GPA, which includes additional quality points for advanced coursework.

Calculating Class Rank
All high schools in Duplin County rank students within their graduating class based on the cumulative weighted GPA, following the North Carolina State Board of Education Policy (GCS-L-004).

Quality Points Awarded:

  • Standard Courses: 4.0 quality points
  • Honors Courses: 4.5 quality points*
  • Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and eligible college-level courses: 5.0 quality points*

*Note: Prior to the 2015–2016 school year, honors courses received 5 quality points, and AP/IB courses received 6 quality points.

Principals will ensure that course descriptions clearly indicate whether a course carries weighted credit and the number of quality points assigned.

  • Unofficial class rank is calculated at the end of each semester
  • Official class rank is calculated at the end of each academic year
  • Only final course grades are used in class rank calculations
  • Class rank is made available to students, parents/guardians, and institutions upon request
Latin Honors Distinctions
To honor academic excellence, Duplin County high schools recognize graduates using the Latin Honors system. Honors are based on final weighted and unweighted GPAs as follows:
  • Cum Laude (with honors):
    • Weighted GPA: 3.95+
    • Unweighted GPA: 3.50–3.74
  • Magna Cum Laude (with great honors):
    • Weighted GPA: 4.25+
    • Unweighted GPA: 3.75–3.90
  • Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors):
    • Weighted GPA: 4.40+
    • Unweighted GPA: 3.91–4.00

These distinctions are noted on transcripts and announced during graduation ceremonies.

High School Promotion Requirements
In accordance with graduation requirements, grade level classification is based on a student’s maximum potential to earn a credit along with the following criteria:

To be classified as a sophomore, a student must have passed the number of units equal to his/her maximum potential less 2 units.  One unit must be English I and one unit must be NC Math 1. To be classified as a junior, a student must have passed the number of units equal to his/her maximum potential less than 3 units.  One unit must be English II. To be classified as a senior, a student must have passed the number of units equal to his/her maximum potential less 4 units.  One unit must be English III.

Grade Units
9th – 10th English I and NC Math 1 plus 4 units = 6 units
10th – 11th English I and II plus 11 units = 13 units
11th – 12th English I, II, and III plus 17 units = 20 units

 

Mid-year grade promotions are not permitted, except in cases where a high school student was previously retained.
Students approved for the three-year accelerated graduation track will graduate as 11th graders without participating in senior activities or receiving senior privileges, unless they meet the established criteria for promotion to Grade 12 at the conclusion of their sophomore year (including but not limited to Homecoming senior court, Prom King or Queen, senior parking, etc.).

Please note that senior privileges do not include participation in graduation ceremonies or graduation-related services (e.g. Baccalaureate).