Academic Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 63 credits including Core Courses in:

  • English (12 credits)

  • World Languages (9 credits in one language; successful completion of level 3)

  • History and the Social Sciences (9 credits - The Historian’s Craft, The West in the World: 1492-1870, and The West in the World: 1871 to the Present)

  • Mathematics (9 credits, 3 of which are Algebra 2 and Trigonometry, in Upper School. Summer work will not count toward graduation credits)

  • Pure & Applied Sciences (9 credits, including Biology and 6 additional credits in Upper School science, the final 3 credits can be earned through a One Schoolhouse school year class, not through summer course work; 3 credits of science must be earned during grade 9)

  • Physical Education (6 credits, 1 credit for each trimester or season by taking physical education or dance classes or participating on interscholastic teams in Upper School; 2 of the credits must be taken during junior or senior year. Students are required to take Fundamentals of P.E. by the end of grade 10)

  • Fine and Performing Arts (4 credits in Art, Music, Drama, or Dance if not taken for P.E. credit)

  • Computer Science (1 credit, can be earned by taking Introduction to Computer Science, Web Development, Computer Programming and Robotics, 2D-3D Computer-Aided Design or an approved CS course through One Schoolhouse. Credit must be earned in grades 9-12 )

The minimum course load in grade 9 is five major courses. In grades 10 through 12, the minimum load is four major courses each trimester. The recommended course load for most students is five majors. Students may take a sixth major with permission of the Upper School Director, although carrying additional academic classes is not advised.

To graduate, a student must have a 70 average in each of her last two years, and her final grade in Senior English must be at least a 70.

Other Programmatic Graduation Requirements

Community Engagement

Classes of 2022, 2023, 2024- Prior to senior year, students will complete 50 hours of direct engagement addressing a community need(s). Students may begin during the summer between grades 8 and 9.

Class of 2025 and beyond- Prior to senior year, students will complete 60 hours of direct engagement addressing a community need(s). Students must complete 20 hours per year (grades 9, 10, & 11). In grade 9, 10 of those 20 hours will be Holton-sponsored events. Students may begin during the summer between grades 8 and 9.

Swimming Competency

Students must pass a swimming competency test by the end of the first trimester of the senior year.