Cascade board adopts graduation changes adding chemistry A for juniors

The Cascade School District 5 Board of Education voted to adopt changes to the district's graduation requirements that will require all juniors to take a high-school-level Chemistry A course, beginning with the class of 2026.

High school principal Pete Rasmussen told the board the change is intended to align the district with Oregon State science standards and fill gaps students currently experience in chemistry. "Our science department is hoping to get a chemistry A based class that would be a requirement for all juniors," Rasmussen said during his presentation, adding the requirement would still allow an additional elective science credit (for example, veterinary or natural-resources courses).

Board members asked how the change interacts with existing sequences (anatomy & physiology and other trimester combinations). Rasmussen said anatomy/physiology sequences and other science electives can still count as an elective science credit while Chemistry A would be the core required course for juniors. The formal motion to adopt the changes was presented as a resolution and read into the record by a board member. The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution with aye votes and no recorded opposition.

The change follows work by the high school and district staff to align courses with state standards and to preserve senior elective options — including new CTE offerings and a college-credit U.S. history class — while meeting graduation-credit requirements. The district will implement the changes for students who enter the class of 2026.