Indiana is introducing a new high school diploma that will be the standard for students beginning with the Class of 2029. Rather than offering several different diploma types, such as Core 40 or Honors diplomas, all students will graduate with one Indiana Diploma and have the option to earn special “readiness seals” that demonstrate they are prepared for life after high school.

Readiness seals recognize that a student has gone beyond the basic graduation requirements and is ready for what comes next – whether that is college, a career, or military service. There are three main seal pathways, each with two levels:

Enrollment (college-focused) – demonstrates readiness for higher education.

Employment (career/workforce-focused) – demonstrates that the student has developed real-world skills and work experience.

Enlistment (military/public service-focused) – demonstrates preparation for service or the armed forces.

Students can earn a standard “Honors” seal or a higher-level “Honors Plus” seal by completing additional requirements.

Work-based learning, which includes internships, job placements, apprenticeships, or other real-world experiences, is an important component of several seals, particularly the Employment seals. To earn these seals, students must complete a required number of work hours and demonstrate skills such as communication, teamwork, and work ethic. These experiences give students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in school to real-world jobs before graduation.

Our counselors have done an incredible job navigating the new graduation requirements and we are confident that our students will be successful under these new guidelines.