In order to earn a traditional Gwinnett County high school diploma, students who entered high school AFTER 07/2011 must earn the required 23 credits (see below):
Area of Study:
I. English/Language Arts: 4 credits
II. Math: 4 credits
III. *Science: 4 credits
IV. Social Studies: 3 credits
V. **Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE), and/or Modern Language/Latin, and/or Fine Arts: 3 credits
VI. Health & Physical Education: 1 credit
Electives (4 units): 4 credits
TOTAL: 23 credits
*The 4th science unit may be used to meet both the science and elective requirement.
** Students must complete three units in a pathway to complete a CTAE pathway and take an end of pathway assessment. Students interested in attending a University System of Georgia college/university must complete two years of the same foreign language to be admissible as a freshman.
Grade promotion is based on the number of Carnegie Unit Credits that a student earns year to year. Students earn .5 credits per class, per semester. Paul Duke STEM High School students take seven classes during the day and have the opportunity to earn 3.5 credits a semester, or 7 credits a year.
Promotion 9th to 10th: 5 Carnegie Units
Promotion 10th to 11th: 11 Carnegie Units
Promotion 11th to 12th: 17 Carnegie Units
Graduation: 23 Carnegie Units
Now that you're in high school, it's time to start thinking about which career(s) you may be interested in. By starting early, you'll be better prepared and, knowing your career goals, can help when choosing your classes and a college. Here are a few things to keep you on track for success in high school.
Maintain good study habits to help keep your grades up.
Check your preliminary HOPE GPA in February of each year and your final HOPE GPA in June to see if you are tracking to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship on GAfutures.org
Take the PSAT/NMSQT or ACT.
Talk with your counselor, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans to meet your education and career plans. Make sure you are taking the right courses.
Be active in your community through volunteer work and participate in extracurricular activities.