Graduation Requirements

The following 26 credits shall be required for graduation:

Ready Core Curriculum Credits

English (English 1, 2, 3, and 4).............................................................4

Mathematics*(Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2.....................................4

Science**..............................................................................................3

Social Studies***...................................................................................3

Wellness...............................................................................................1

Physical Education.............................................................................0.5

Personal Finance...............................................................................0.5

Foreign Language****...........................................................................2

Fine Arts****..........................................................................................1

Elective Focus*****................................................................................3

[Additional Sumner County electives]....................................................4

Total....................................................................................................26

*Students must complete four (4) credits of mathematics including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II (or equivalents) plus one additional mathematics course beyond Algebra II. All students must be enrolled in a math class each year. Students with qualifying disabilities as documented in the individualized education program may take Algebra IA, Algebra IB, Geometry A, and Geometry B for their required math classes over four years. The Bridge Math course is recommended for students who have not scored 19 or higher on the ACT mathematics subtest or a 460 on the SAT mathematics subtest by the beginning of the senior year. Other factors like career interest, study habits, etc. can be used to determine twelfth (12th) grade placement.

Students with a qualifying disability who have deficits in mathematics as documented in the IEP shall be required to achieve at least Algebra I and Geometry (or the equivalent Integrated Math I and Integrated Math II). The required number of credits in mathematics will be achieved through strategies such as, but not limited to, increased time, appropriate methodologies, and accommodations as determined by the IEP team.

**Students must complete Biology I and either Chemistry or Physics and a 3rd laboratory science. Students with qualifying disabilities as documented in the individualized education program shall be required to achieve at least Biology I and two other lab science credits or Biology 1A and Biology 1B along with one additional lab credit. The required number of credits in science will be achieved through strategies such as, but not limited to, increased time, appropriate methodologies, and accommodations as determined by the IEP team.

***Students must complete United States History & Geography, World History & Geography, Economics, and U.S. Government & Civics.

****Students must complete two (2) credits of the same Foreign Language and one (1) credit in Fine Arts. In exceptional circumstances, to allow students to expand and enhance the elective focus, schools may waive the foreign language and/or fine art requirements for students who are not planning to attend a university.

*****Students must complete three (3) credits in an elective focus. All students will pursue a focused program of study designed to prepare them for the workforce and postsecondary study. The intent of the elective focus is to provide students with an opportunity to explore an academic area in greater depth. The elective focus may be CTE, science and math, humanities, fine arts, AP/IB, or other areas approved by the local board of education. Students completing a CTE elective focus must complete three (3) credits in the same CTE career cluster or state approved program of study. Schools should make every effort to ensure that all students complete a state or locally approved elective focus, however schools may waive the elective focus requirement for those students who transfer during the junior or senior year to a Tennessee high school from a school in another state of from a non-public school, if the completion of the elective focus would prevent or delay graduation. Students who begin an elective focus in a Tennessee high school and transfer during the junior or senior year to another Tennessee high school may, with the permission of the Director of Schools, have the elective focus requirement waived if the receiving school does not offer the same elective focus area and is unable to offer related coursework to complete a state or locally approved focus area, or if the completion of the elective focus would prevent or delay graduation.