Graduation Credit

The two topics below contain important information in regards to graduation requirements in the state as it relates to computer science classes.

Here is a brief summary of the two things you need to know about computer science and graduation credit.

The Computer Science Flex Credit allows a credit in computer science to be substituted for the 4th math, 3rd science, or a career focus class. For more details about this topic, click the heading below.
Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, all entering freshmen will be required to take one full credit of computer science before they can graduate. The same Computer Science Flex Credit rule as described above still applies. For more details about this topic, click the heading below.

computer science flex credit

A few years ago, the Arkansas Department of Education, in conjunction with the Governor, made a big push towards increasing student participation in computer science classes. Part of that push was the creation of the Computer Science Flex Credit.

The computer science classes offered at SHS will count for Computer Science Flex Credit, which can be used to count towards the existing 4th math, 3rd science, or career focus credit requirements that already exist for graduation. In plain English, the one credit of computer science will be able to substitute for a student's 4th math, 3rd science credit, or a career focus credit for graduation purposes. For more information, read this memo from the Commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education.

Please be aware that many colleges still want students to complete a 4th math and 3rd science class. For students pursuing college, you will probably want the computer science class to count towards your career focus area instead of a math or science class.

freshmen students beginning in 2022-2023 school year

Beginning with the freshmen class of 2022-2023, all students will be required to take a one year computer science class to graduate high school in the state of Arkansas. For more information, you may read this memo put out by the Commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education.

While it is not mandatory for students to take the class their ninth grade year, we highly recommend students take the first year computer science class of their choice in their ninth or tenth grade year just in case they decide this is something they want to pursue further.

This does not add an extra graduation credit requirement. You still only need 22 credits to graduate. The computer science classes offered at SHS will count for Computer Science Flex Credit, which can be used to count towards the existing 4th math, 3rd science, or career focus credit requirements that already exist. In plain English, the one credit of computer science will be able to substitute for a student's 4th math, 3rd science, or a career focus credit for graduation purposes.