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Decatur School District

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Counseling Center

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Scholarships & Financial Aide

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Decatur Middle & High School Counseling Center

PHONE: (479) 321-5780 | FAX: (479) 752-2491

 

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM TUESDAY – FRIDAY
SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS (SUMMER BREAK) 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM MONDAY – THURSDAY
COUNSELOR HOURS 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM TUESDAY – FRIDAY

If you have an emergency, please call one of the following 24 hour crisis numbers:

(479-750-2020 or 1-800-234-7052)

For immediate emergency call 911 or go to the nearest emergency center

NEED TO SEE THE COUNSELOR?

Need to meet with Ms. Burden? Use the booking tool below to schedule, edit, or cancel a meeting.

 

Academic Information

  • The state of Arkansas requires each student to earn 22 total credits in academic core subjects, complete CPR training, pass the AR Civics exam, earn a minimum of one (1) credit of an approved Computer Science course, and earn 75 clock hours of documented community service in order to be eligible to graduate. Find the Arkansas Department of Education’s graduation requirements HERE.

     

    CORE ACADEMIC GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

    • English Language Arts (4 Credits)
      •  ADE Approved English 9 – 1 Credit
      • ADE Approved English 10 – 1 Credit
      • ADE Approved English 11 – 1 Credit
      • ADE Approved English 12 – 1 Credit
    • Mathematics (4 Credits)
      • Algebra 1 – 1 Credit
      • Geometry – 1 credit
      • Algebra 2 or Quanitative Reasoning – 1 Credit
      • ADE Approved Mathematics or *Computer Science Flex – 1 Credit
    • Science (3 Credits)
      • ADE Approved Biology – 1 Credit
      • ADE Approved Physical Science – 1 Credit
      • ADE Approved 3rd Science or *Computer Science Flex – 1 Credit
    • Social Studies (3 Credits)
      • ​​​​​​​ADE Approved US History – 1 Credit
      • ADE Approved World History – 1 Credit
      • ADE Approved Civics – 0.5 Credit
      • ADE Approved Economics with Personal Finance – 0.5 Credit
    • Career Focused Electives or Additional Content (6 Credits)
    • Oral Communication – 0.5 Credit
    • Physical Education – 0.5 Credit
    • Health & Safety – 0.5 Credit
    • Fine Arts – 0.5 Credit

     

    ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

    • Must complete 75 clock hours of documented community service in grades 9-12; requirement begins for 2027 Graduates
    • Must pass the Arkansas Civics Exam with a 60% or higher
    • Must complete CPR training
    • Must earn one (1) credit of ADE Approved Computer Science or Computer Science related career and technical education cours; requirement begins for 2026 graduates

     

    *NOTE: Per Commissioner’s Memo LS-25-032 of 6/18/2025, beginning in the 2026-27 school year all Year 1 Computer Science courses will no longer count towards the 4th Math credit. Students who have received credit for a Year 1 Computer Science course prior to the 2026-27 school year will receive a 4th math credit for their computer science course. Year 2 and Year 3 computer science courses will continue to count towards a 4th Math credit. All current Computer Science courses will continue to count toward the 3rd Science credit.

  • The course choice program, established by the LEARNS Act, expands access to high-quality courses for Arkansas students in grades 6th-12th. Course choice enables studetns to enroll in courses not offered at their resident school and supports personalized pathways that prepare students to become enrolled, employed, or enlisted after graduation.

     

    HOW COURSE CHOICE WORKS (At A Glance)

    1. Students explore the catalog & identify courses of interest
    2. Families & counselors review prerequisites & requirements
    3. Students apply through the online catalog
    4. The resident school approves or denies each request
    5. Students enroll & complete the course with ongoing support

     

    ACCESS THE CATALOG

    The Course Choice Catalog is the central location where students, families, and schools can explore Course Choice offerings and view approved providers, course descriptions, and program information.

    ARKANSAS COURSE CHOICE CATALOG

     

    USER GUIDES & INFORMATION

  • The links below connect your to resources, information, and applications to help assist students locate funding for higher education. It is not a comprehensive list, but it IS a great place to start!

     

    • Local Scholarships – These scholarships are provided by local businesses, organizations, and people in the community. The application will open in January of and close at the end of April of each school year.
    • Scholarships by Deadline – All scholarships sent to DHS will be listed on this page in order by deadline.
    • Scholarship Databases – These are websites where you can put in any information regarding yourself and the database will match you with scholarships you meet requirements for.
    • Minority Aid Scholarships – Scholarships specifically reserved for students belonging to minority groups.
    • NWACC Financial Aid – This link will take you to the Financial Aide Office page at Northwest Arkansas Community College
    • NWTI Scholarships – This link will take you to the Scholarship page for Northwest Technical Institute located in Springdale, AR
    • School Specific Financial Aid / Scholarships – Each trade school, college, or university you apply to will have a section of their website dedicatd to Scholarships & Financial Aide. If you are struggling to find this information, contact the school’s Admissions Office. They will be able to direct you to the Financial Aide Office. Advisors in the Financial Aide Office can assist you in completing your FAFSA, filling out other financial aide forms, and directing you to schoalrships the school may have available.