21: Credits required to graduate in Lawrence since the 2020 pandemic

21: Minimum credits required to graduate by the state

23: Credits that will be required for graduation beginning with the class of 2025

24: Average number of credits required to graduate from 6A high schools in Kansas

25: Average number of credits required to graduate in Kansas public high schools

Source: Kansas State Department of Education, 2023 school year data

Junior Amani Rojas is working hard to graduate early. Changes to graduation requirements will make it harder for students to finish high school early in the future. “I don’t think high school prepares you for the real world,” Rojas said. “I don’t think the courses are comprehensive enough on their own so, why stay?”

Early grad student junior Sophia Jumping Eagle Jacobs is working hard on her studies to finish her LHS education. “It wasn’t really that difficult of a choice to graduate early,” she said. “My stress levels will definitely reach an all time low once I graduate.”

Writing for her AP language class, junior Elle Hope-Luecke is focused on her homework to work towards graduating early. “I had to take two English classes this year,” Hope-Luecke said.

Counselor Jennifer Hare is committed to fostering successful students that can meet the stricter criteria. “We can’t give you the diploma, but we’re going to do everything we can to help you grab it," Hare said.