Class of 2025, 2026, and 2027 

English:          ...................................... 4 years (4 credits)

Social Studies:          ........................... 3.5 years (3.5 credits)

• Ethnic Studies     ........................... 1 semester (.5 credits)

Math:       ........................................... 3 years of high school-level math (3 credits)

Science:        ....................................... 3 years (3 credits; Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics).

Fine Arts:         .................................... 1 year (1 credit)

Physical Education:             ................. 1 semester (.5 credits)

Health:         ........................................ 1 semester (.5 credits)

Elective Credits:            ....................... Course of your choice beyond those required for graduation (5.5 credits)

TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS:         ........ A minimum of 21.5 credits is needed to graduate.

Class of 2028 and Beyond

English:          ....................................... 4 years (4 credits)

Social Studies:            ........................... 3.5 years (3.5 credits)

• Ethnic Studies       ........................... 1 semester (.5 credits)

• Personal Finance        ...................... 1 semester (.5 credits)

Math:          .......................................... 3 years of high school-level math (3 credits)

Science:          ....................................... 3 years (3 credits; Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics).

Fine Arts:           .................................... 1 year (1 credit)

Physical Education:      ......................... 1 semester (.5 credits)

Health:          ........................................ 1 semester (.5 credits)

Elective Credits:             ....................... Courses of your choice beyond those required for graduation (5 credits)

TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS:          ........ A minimum of 21.5 credits is needed to graduate.

Math, Arts, CTE, and World Language placements should be chosen in consultation with your teachers. There are specific course sequences we want you to follow. 

During Course Registration 

• Every effort will be made to communicate clear information about all courses so that students make informed course selections in January of the year prior to taking courses. 

• As counselors create student schedules, they will register students based on their selections, with priority given to ensuring students have courses required for graduation.

• Counselors will check in with students who have selected courses that do not align with a student’s stated post-secondary goals. 

Schedule Changes are only made if:

• A student does not have the prerequisite for a scheduled course

• A course is at an inappropriate academic level for the student

• A scheduling error occurred (no class during specific period, duplicate classes, etc.)

• A senior is missing a class required for graduation

• A Special Education need 

• A scheduling conflict exists that doesn’t allow for the requested course

• A class balancing issue

Start of the Semester/Year

• On-level courses: Students may meet with their school counselor to request to drop a course by 12:00 on the Friday before the school year starts.  Changes will only be made if the course was not selected by the student.

At end of Quarter 2 (Semester 1)

• For year-long, on-level courses: Students wishing to drop a course for 2nd semester should make an appointment with their school counselor. 

• Changes cannot be made after the first day of the semester. 

If you have failed a class required for graduation, you need to see your counselor to plan for credit recovery. In general, you have four options for making up a failed class, all of which require you to register ahead of time with your counselor:

• Credit Blast (after the regular school day)

• Winter Break Academy

• Spring Break Academy

• Summer School

South students may be eligible for a Release Hour in their course schedule if they meet the following criteria:

• Student is in 12th grade

• Student is on-track for graduation

• Student has Parent/Guardian approval

For students who qualify for a Release Hour by meeting the criteria above, there are these additional requirements:

• Students may only have one Release Hour per semester (1st or 6th hour)

• Students are responsible for completing the permission slip and returning it to their Counselor

• Students must have a Release Pass to exit the building (Release Passes given upon return of the permission slip)

• Students are expected to be off South’s campus during the Release Hour

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades to enroll in college courses as a high school student. Students get both college credit and high school credit by successful completion of the course. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each college sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th-graders are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis.

Learn more about PSEO eligibility, courses, and registration on the South Counseling Website. Complete all necessary steps with your school counselor by the April 1st deadline for fall semester or the November 1st deadline for spring semester.

South Students may participate in MPS Online courses only under the following circumstances:

• There is not room in the South schedule to fit in a requirement

• A student needs a class that is off sequence

• A student needs a class that is not offered at South

• There is not space in the class at South

For students who are eligible to take courses through MPS Online for one of the reasons listed above, there are these additional requirements:

• Students are responsible for consulting with their school counselor.       

• Students and families are responsible for completing the MPS Online Registration process.

• Students must maintain a full six-hour schedule at South

MPS Online has limited offerings for students attending other high schools throughout Minneapolis Public Schools. Information about MPS Online and their policies can be found here. 

In order to practice, compete, or receive athletically-related financial aid as a freshman at a NCAA Division I or Division II college, the student-athlete must satisfy the requirements of the NCAA. 

See the NCAA Eligibility Center website in order to determine the approved classes at South and to register as a student athlete. Students must register online at www.NCAA.org in order to participate in collegiate athletics. The NCAA will not accept the Pass/No Credit option for core academic courses. Please refer to the NCAA website for additional information.