Huntington, IN - During the April 14, 2025 Public Work Session, Huntington North High School Principal Dr. Russ Degitz presented the school board with details about Indiana's newly approved high school diploma requirements, highlighting how HNHS is uniquely positioned to meet these changes.
The new requirements, passed by the state of Indiana in December 2024, will take effect for the class of 2029—current eighth graders who will enter high school in the fall of 2025.
"Huntington North High School may be positioned as well or better than any single high school in the state of Indiana as it relates to these new diploma requirements," Dr. Degitz stated. "We meet all of the buckets in enrollment, employment, and enlistment. And we actually have for some time."
The new structure maintains a single standard diploma as the base requirement but expands options with six additional pathways through honors seals and honors plus seals in three focus areas: enrollment (college), employment (workforce), and enlistment (military).
The new requirements emphasize flexibility, student choice, and personalized learning experiences. One notable change is the doubling of personalized elective credits from six to twelve, allowing students to customize their education based on interests and future plans.
"It will behoove us to really get creative and provide elective credits and courses that students are interested in, that add value to their experience, that prepare them for life beyond high school," Dr. Degitz noted.
Huntington North plans to set the honors seal as the default target for students, ensuring they can still earn the standard diploma even if they fall slightly short of honors requirements. High-achieving students will be well-positioned to earn the honors plus seal.
"Our students that are high achievers, our top 25% caliber, our top 10% students definitely will be positioned well to earn an honors plus seal," Dr. Degitz added.
A significant benefit for students earning the honors plus seal in the enrollment category is guaranteed admission to any public Indiana university or college, a policy recently announced by the state.
Director of Secondary Education Chuck Brimbury reinforced the school's strong position, stating, "I continue to say that progressive school corporations have a vision that allows for multiple buckets for multiple sets of kids. The new diploma types are fitting our vision."
The implementation of these requirements will require expanding community partnerships for work-based learning opportunities, internships, and externships—essential components for students pursuing honors and honors plus seals.
"We are positioned with a number of dual credit and advanced placement offerings as well as anyone," said Dr. Degitz. "Right now, it's more a matter of fitting the pieces together instead of trying to create them and build them. We already have them here."
Huntington North counselors have already begun preparations for implementing these changes, and eighth-grade parents were briefed on the new requirements during an informational meeting this past winter.