Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for a diploma, each student must complete the high school’s graduation requirements.
- Each high school student must take a minimum of five (5) academic classes per semester.
- Students in grades 9-11 must take a minimum of seven (7) classes per semester; seniors must take a minimum of six (6) classes per semester.
Subject Area |
Required time |
Specific Requirements* |
English |
4 years |
Taken in Grades 9-12 |
Mathematics |
3 years |
Taken usually in Grades 9-11; must advance at least through algebra II |
Science |
3 years |
Taken usually in Grades 9-11 (biology, chemistry, and a third year-long lab course) |
History |
3 years |
Taken usually in Grades 9-11 |
World Language |
(see specific requirements) |
Must advance at least through level III of one language; two years in high school required and three years recommended |
Human Development |
1 semester |
Taken in Grade 9 |
Art History |
1 semester |
Taken in Grade 11 or 12 |
Music History |
1 semester |
Taken in Grade 11 or 12 |
Senior Seminar |
1 semester |
Taken in Grade 12 |
Visual and Performing Arts |
1 full year in a single discipline |
Any student wishing to enroll in any Visual Arts course must have completed the prerequisite one-semester course Introduction to Artmaking |
Physical Education |
4 semesters |
May be fulfilled by team sports (including cheer/stunt team) or dance |
Community Service |
20 hours each year |
Up to 5 of the 20 hours per year may be approved school service (see Community Service in Activities) |
*A student who earns a grade of F or Incomplete in ANY class (whether or not the class is a graduation requirement) must make up the class in order to graduate. (See Ds, Fs, and Incompletes for the details of these requirements.)
The principal, assistant principal, college counselors, and deans will assist students in planning their academic schedules and programs so that all requirements are met.
