Graduation Requirements

The Board is committed to maintaining a rigorous core curriculum and student performance standards designed to promote student achievement. The goal is to prepare all graduates of the District to be contributing members of society. The Board believes that the following high school graduation requirements are an important component of its commitment to students.

Graduation Plans

• 4 Year Form

• 6 Year Form

Graduation Requirements

Revised 8/2025

The following are the minimum required credits for graduation for the class of 2013 and beyond. These requirements are outlined in Board Policy #2640. 

Course Requirements - 48 credits total   

English - 8 credits

Speech - 1 credit

•  Successful completion of one semester of Debate also fulfills this requirement.

Mathematics - 6 credits

2 Algebra Credits

• Successful completion of Algebra (Integrated I - Algebra, Integrated III - Algebra 2, Essentials 2 for Algebra, or Intensified Integrated I) is required.

2 Geometry Credits

• Successful completion of Geometry (Essentials 3 for Geometry, Integrated II - Geometry) are required.

2 Math Credits 

• 2 additional math credits of your choice

Science - 6 credits

• Successful completion of 2 credits of Physical Science (or 2 credits of high school level Physics or Chemistry), Biology (Acc. Biology or AP Biology), and 2 additional science credits are required.  

• If the computer science teacher is certified in science, then AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles can be counted as science credits instead of math credits if requested by the student.

Health - 1 credit

• Health taken in 8th grade does not fulfill this requirement.  

• Two credits of BSD Fundamentals of Health Professions fulfills this requirement.  

US History 9 (to 1900)  - 2 credits

US History 11 (after 1900) - 2 credits

Economics - 1 credit

• Includes the State Financial Literacy requirement.

• Successful completion of 4 credits of Marketing I, Marketing II, Marketing III, and Marketing IV fulfills this requirement. 

• Successful completion of 4 credits of Personal Business Finance, Business Law/Ethics and Business Ownership/Entrepreneurship fulfills this requirement.

American Government - 2 credits

Digital Literacy - 1 required elective credit (Class of 2028 and beyond.)

• Successful completion of Engineering Technology 9 A & B fulfills this requirement.

Physical Education - 2 credits

• Successful completion of Physical Education A & B is required for graduation and fulfills 2 elective credits. 

• Completion of one season of an approved sport and earning a passing grade on the PE exam fulfills one required PE credit.

Electives - 16 credits

• World language courses taken prior to 9th grade qualify for graduation credit if a grade of C or higher is earned and fulfill elective credits.

• Only one athletic fitness credit can be taken per semester.

• Only four service credits can be earned in grades 9 through 12.  Service credits include classroom aides, library aides, and office aides. No more than two such credits may be taken in a given year.  

Additional Graduation Requirements

1. College Entrance Exam

   1. Participation only.

   2. Special Education students are required to participate unless otherwise stated in IEP.

   3. Students enrolled in an LEP program for less than three academic years can request an exemption.

   4. Students transferring from out of state during 12th grade can request an exemption.

   5. School District can request an exemption for a student in extenuating circumstances.

2. Senior Project (Class of 2026 & 2027)

   1. Must include elements of research, development of thesis, and presentation.

   2. Completion of a postsecondary certificate or degree or an approved internship/apprenticeship program may also meet this requirement.

3. Future Readiness Project (Class of 2028 and beyond)

4. Civics Exam 

   1. A passing grade of 60% is required.

   2. Special Education students are required to pass the exam unless otherwise stated in IEP.

   3. Any student who does not pass will be reassessed.

   4. Any student transferring from out of state and enrolls after spring break of their senior year will be waived from taking the civics exam.