Graduation Requirements

by Tracie Voitik

Graduation Requirements â Class of 2009

3 credits English
.5 credit speech	Taken freshmen year
3 credits math
2 credits science
.5 credit global studies	Taken freshmen year
.5 credit civics	Taken freshmen year
1 credit US History	Taken junior year
3.5 credits Physical Education	Usually taken 2 freshmen year, 1 sophomore year, 2 junior year and 2 senior year.
.5 credit health	Taken sophomore year
.5 credit drivers education	Usually taken freshmen/sophomore year depending on birth date
.5 credits keyboarding/word processing	Taken freshmen year
. 5 credit consumer education	Taken junior year
Constitution Test	Taken in US History for classes 2008 and earlier and taken in civics for classes 2009 and later
PSAE	Both days of tests taken junior year
5 hours community service
29 total credits	Taken from required and elective courses

Graduation Requirements â Class of 2010

3 credits English
.5 credit speech	Taken freshmen year
3 credits math
2 credits science
.5 credit global studies	Taken freshmen year
.5 credit civics	Taken freshmen year
1 credit US History	Taken junior year
3.5 credits Physical Education	Usually taken 2 freshmen year, 1 sophomore year, 2 junior year and 2 senior year.
.5 credit health	Taken sophomore year
.5 credit drivers education	Usually taken freshmen/sophomore year depending on birth date
.5 credits keyboarding/word processing	Taken freshmen year
. 5 credit consumer education	Taken junior year
Constitution Test	Taken in US History for classes 2008 and earlier and taken in civics for classes 2009 and later
PSAE	Both days of tests taken junior year
5 hours community service
29 total credits	Taken from required and elective courses

Graduation Requirements â Class of 2011

3 credits English
.5 credit speech	Taken freshmen year
3 credits math	Including Algebra and Geometry
2 credits science
.5 credit global studies	Taken freshmen year
.5 credit civics	Taken freshmen year
1 credit US History	Taken junior year
3.5 credits Physical Education	Usually taken 2 freshmen year, 1 sophomore year, 2 junior year and 2 senior year.
.5 credit health	Taken sophomore year
.5 credit drivers education	Usually taken freshmen/sophomore year depending on birth date
.5 credits keyboarding/word processing	Taken freshmen year
. 5 credit consumer education	Taken junior year
Constitution Test	Taken in US History for classes 2008 and earlier and taken in civics for classes 2009 and later
PSAE	Both days of tests taken junior year
5 hours community service
29 total credits	Taken from required and elective courses

Graduation Requirements â Class of 2012

4 credits English
.5 credit speech	Taken freshmen year
3 credits math	Including Algebra and Geometry
2 credits science
.5 credit global studies	Taken freshmen year
.5 credit civics	Taken senior year
1 credit US History	Taken junior year
3.5 credits Physical Education	Usually taken 2 freshmen year, 1 sophomore year, 2 junior year and 2 senior year.
.5 credit health	Taken sophomore year
.5 credit drivers education	Usually taken freshmen/sophomore year depending on birth date
.5 credits keyboarding/word processing	Taken freshmen year
. 5 credit consumer education	Taken junior year
Constitution Test	Taken in US History for classes 2008 and earlier and taken in civics for classes 2009 and later
PSAE	Both days of tests taken junior year
5 hours community service
29 total credits	Taken from required and elective courses

There are two types of courses to consider when selecting courses. First, there are required courses, which are those classes that a student must take (and pass) in order to graduate. Note: Passing means the student earned at least a grade of a D (65%) or higher. Any required course that was failed must be taken again. For example, if a student fails the first half of English, they will need to take English 1^st half the following year. If a student fails the entire year, they will need to repeat the whole year course. However, if a student fails the 2^nd half of a math course, they must repeat the entire course to move to the next level.

The second type is elective courses, which are classes that a student chooses to take from the different subject areas. Classes are taken for the following reason(s): an interest or ability in the subject; the class will allow the student to prepare for their future career and/or the class is a college requirement. Whatever the reason, elective classes do earn credit towards graduation. However, the particular course does not have to be passed in order to graduate. Students earn credit towards graduation by completing both the required and elective classes throughout their four-year high school career. A minimum of 29 credits is required to graduate.

Suggested College Entrance Requirements

For students planning to enter a four-year university program, below are the MINIMUMsuggested requirements:

English	4 years
Math	3 years (including algebra, geometry, and advanced math)
Science	3 years (including biology, chemistry and one other)
Social Studies	3 years
Foreign Language, Art or Music	2 years in the same area (some colleges have an admissions requirement of at least 2 years of the same language.)

Because each college has its own entrance requirements, it is essential that parents and students carefully review the specific requirements of the colleges being considered.