graduation requirements

School Counselors help students choose the best courses to explore interest, skills, and to meet Virginia's graduation requirements. 

Satisfactory completion of courses which meet graduation requirements determines promotion or retention on a course-by-course basis. The requirements for classification of a student at specific grade levels are indicated below: 

• 10th Grade - A student must have earned a minimum of 5 credits, 3 of which must be from the disciplines of English, social studies, mathematics, science, physical education, or economics and personal finance. 

• 11th Grade - A student must have earned a minimum of 10 credits, 6 of which must be from the disciplines of English, social studies, mathematics, science, physical education, or economics and personal finance. 

• 12th Grade - A student must have earned 15 credits, 10 of which must be from the disciplines of English, social studies, mathematics, science, physical education, or economics and personal finance. 

In Virginia, there is a measure called the 9th Grade On-Track indicator, which looks at whether ninth-grade students are on pace to graduate high school within four years. Being “on track” typically means students are earning enough credits and successfully completing core courses early in high school.

This indicator matters because ninth grade is a critical turning point. Research shows that students who stay on track in 9th grade are significantly more likely to graduate on time, while students who fall behind face a much steeper path to graduation. In fact, approximately 82% of students who remain on track graduate on time, compared to about 57% of students who do not, a difference that highlights just how impactful early support can be.