High School Graduation Requirements

Policy #           A-3
Revised:         June 21, 2011

Credit toward graduation will be awarded to high school students for high school coursework completed with a passing grade.  For students in grades six through eight, credit will be awarded for high school classes completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better.  High school credit earned in grades six through eight will appear on the student’s high school transcript, but will not be calculated into the student’s high school grade point average.  For the class of 2011 and all subsequent classes, the minimum number of credits required for graduation from high school is forty-six (46) and includes the following:

Language Arts:                  Nine (9) credits consisting of eight (8) English credits (full year each of Ancient Literature and
European Literature, and four credits from American Literature, Advanced Placement Literature, Advanced Placement Language, World Literature, or approved college classes) and one (1) communication credit

Social Studies:                   Eight (8) credits (one year each of Ancient History, European History, American History, and American Government).

Lab Science:                       Six (6) credits (one year each of Physical Science, Biology, and Chemistry).

Math*:                                  Six (6) credits* (at least three sequential levels; e.g. Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
*Algebra 1 or higher (repeated classes do not accumulate duplicate math credits); 
*Students are required to take a minimum of two semesters of math in each year of high school (beginning with the class of 2013).

Foreign Language:           Four (4) credits (two sequential levels of the same language, two credits per year; e.g. Spanish I, Spanish II)

Health:                                 One (1) credit

Economics:                          One (1) credit

Fine Arts**:                         Two (2) credits **Current offerings include art, choir, band, and theatre arts

Electives:                             Nine (9) credits – may include additional credits in any of the above

Senior Project:                   All students will complete a senior project that incorporates research and an oral presentation.

If a student transfers into the Academy with high school credits obtained elsewhere, his/her transcript must be evaluated by the principal or designee to determine which credits will be applied toward Academy graduation credits.