Students in grades six, seven and eight are promoted to the next grade on the basis of earning passing final grades in the core subjects of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies and a passing final grade in one of the following program areas: health/physical education or the equivalent of a full-year course in the exploratories/electives with consideration of the following factors:
- academic performance;
- ability level;
- attendance in conjunction with poor classroom performance;
- chronological age in relation to the normal grade/age group
- prior retentions
- delayed/advanced physical development;
- maturity in emotional and social development;
- work and study habits;
- student and parent attitude;
- parental support;
- SOL test scores at the end of grade 8 (for promotion to grade 9).