High School

Promotion and retention in the high schools is based upon the student’s academic achievement as reflected by the number of standard and verified*** credits earned. In order to graduate from high school, a student must earn 22 standard credits and 6 verified credits for a standard diploma and 24 standard credits and 9 verified credits for an advanced diploma.

Promotion from grade to grade within the high school requires that a student earn credit as follows:

From grades 9 to 10

• 5 CREDITS

• 1 English

• 1 Additional Core Credit**

• 3 Others

• Earn 1 verified credit***

From grades 10-11

• 10 CREDITS

• 2 English

• 1 Math

• 1 Science

• 1 Social Studies

• 1 Additional Core Credit

• 4 Others

• Earn 2 verified credits***

From grades 11 to 12

• 16 CREDITS

• 3 English

• 2 Math

• 2 Science

• 2 Social Studies

• 1 Additional Core Credit

• 6 Others

• Earn 4 verified credits***

** A Core Credit Class is defined as any course from math, science, social studies, or English which satisfies a graduation requirement from that discipline.

***Verified credits are earned by achieving passing scores on end of course SOL tests and successful completion of the courses associated with the SOL tests.

In the spring, parents will be notified by the guidance counselor if retention is indicated by an academic deficiency. If attending summer school will remedy this deficiency, notification will occur prior to the opening of summer school.*

*Note: Requirements are tallied as of September of each year. Promotion eligibility is finalized after summer school. Summer school is considered to be a continuation of the previous school year, not the beginning of a new year

The Graduation requirements for Class of 2022 and beyond

SOLs and Verified Credits

What is a Verified Credit?

Simply put, a Verified Credit is a credit awarded once a student passes the SOL and both semesters of the course the SOL pertained to. For example, the student takes Biology and successfully passes the 1st and 2nd semester. In May, he or she will take the EOC (End of Course) Biology SOL. If that student attains a scaled score of at least a 400, he or she will be awarded one Verified Credit.

**Students need 6 Verified Credits to graduate with a Standard Diploma. Students going for their Advanced Diploma must earn 9 Verified Credits.

Virtual Virginia Full-Time Program

Virtual Virginia offers a full-time program modeled after the current partnership with Virginia public schools. This program will offer all required courses for grades 9-12, plus an additional compliment of World Language courses and electives. There is no tuition charged for Virginia public school students who enroll in standard core, world language, and elective courses.

Students who wish to participate must register via local public school counselors and with the approval of parents and school administration. Virtual Virginia provides all content and instruction, as well as the learning management delivery system. Special services are provided in partnership with local schools.

Virtual Virginia instructors provide percentage grades to reflect successful completion by students in the online program; local schools award letter grades and credit for courses completed. Students matriculate through the local division and receive the appropriate diploma upon completion of the program.

Registration packets must be submitted to the Academy Counselor.