Graduation Requirements

A student must earn a total of 60 credits in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, with a distribution of coursework that meets the standards established by the Wayzata Public Schools School Board (which exceed Minnesota state standards).

• These credits include:

  • 8 credits of English- sufficient to satisfy all academic standards in English.

    • English 9

    • English 10

    • English A

    • English B

  • 8 credits of Math- sufficient to satisfy all academic standards in mathematics.

    • Algebra 2***

    • Two of eight credits may be fulfilled through the completion of Applied Mathematics or STEM* courses.

  • 8 credits of Science- including two credits to satisfy all the earth and space science standards for grades 9 through 12, two credits to satisfy all the life science standards for grades 9 through 12, and two credits to satisfy all the chemistry or physics standards for grades 9 through 12.

    • Earth Science

    • Biology

    • Chemistry or Physics**

    • Two of eight credits may be fulfilled through the completion of STEM* courses.

  • 8 credits of Social Studies- encompassing at least United States history, geography, and government and citizenship in either grade 11 or 12 for students beginning in grade 9 in the 2025-2026 school year and later or an advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or other rigorous course on government and citizenship under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.021, subdivision 1a, and a combination of other credits encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in social studies.

    • Human Geography

    • World History

    • U.S. History

    • Economics or AP Macro + AP Micro + AP Research

  • 2 credits of the Arts- sufficient to satisfy all academic standards in the arts.

  • 2 credits of Physical Education- sufficient to satisfy all academic standards in physical education.

    • PE Team Sports or PE Individual/Dual Sports, or PE Adventure Education

  • 1 credit of Health Education

  • 1 credit of Personal Finance- for the class of 2028 and younger

    • Finance 1: Personal Finance or Independent Money Management or AP Business and Personal Finance or Compass Cybersecurity with Applied Math and Personal Finance

  • 23 Elective Credits: for the class of 2027

  • 22 Elective Credits: for the class of 2028 and younger

*STEM courses are designed to dramatically increase student interest in, and preparation for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Courses that satisfy the STEM designation will be identified by the acronym STEM after the course number.

**Minnesota Department of Education requires that every high school graduate complete 2 credits of Chemistry or 2 credits of Physics as a part of the student’s science graduation requirements.

***Minnesota Department of Education requires that every high school graduate must complete math through Algebra 2 as a part of the student’s math graduation requirements.

All classes as listed within the Art Department and the Music and Theater Department fulfill the Fine Arts graduation requirement, along with the classes listed below:

• 861 - Interior Design 1

• 881 - Interior Design 2

• 923 - Animation 1

• 924 - Animation 2

• 930 - AI for Graphic Design 1

• 931 - AI for Graphic Design 2

The following Applied Math (M) courses can be used to fulfill math credits that are completed after Algebra 2:

• 741 - AP Macroeconomics (M)

• 740 - AP Microeconomics (M)

• 9993B - AP Cybersecurity and Applied Mathematics (M)

• 711 - Accounting 1: Fundamentals (M)

• 722 - Finance 1: Personal Finance (CM)

• 723 - Finance 2: Investments & Wealth (M)

• 725 - Financial Algebra (M)

• 855 - Independent Money Management (M)

STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

The following STEM (S) courses can be used to fulfill Science credits that are completed after Chemistry or Physics and/or Math credits that are completed after Algebra 2:

• 930S - AI for Graphic Design 1

• 931S - AI for Graphic Design 2

• 923S - Animation 1

• 924S - Animation 2

• 947S - AP Computer Science A

• 944S - AP Computer Science/PLTW Software Engineering Principles

• 925S - Applied Robotics

• 910S - Architectural Design 1

• 911S - Architectural Design 2

• 412S - Certified Nurse Aide

• 9992B - Compass AI in Graphic Design 2

• 718S - Computer Programming with JavaScript

• 912S - Construction 1

• 968S - CTC Advanced Auto Body Repair

• 965S - CTC Advanced Outdoor Power Sports

• 967S - CTC Auto Body Repair

• 970S - CTC Automotive Technology

• 975S - CTC Computer Repair

• 977S - CTC Cybersecurity

• 978S - CTC First Aid, CPR, Emergency Medical Response

• 979S - CTC Networking Systems

• 963S - CTC Nursing Assistant

• 964S - CTC Outdoor Power Sports

• 976S - CTC Software Applications

• 9981 - CTE Internship/Apprenticeship

• 705S - Digital Citizenship & Computer Skills

• 940S - Engineering 1: Concepts

• 943S - Engineering 2: Civil (CEA)

• 941S - Engineering 2: Principles (POE)

• 414S - Exploring Health Careers

• 921S - Game Design 1

• 922S - Game Design 2

• 411S - Medical Interventions

• 413S - Medical Terminology

• 945S - Metal Manufacturing

• 760S - PC Hardware & Troubleshooting

• 708S - Website Design 1

• 709S - Website Design 2

• 950S - Wood Manufacturing 1

• 951S - Wood Manufacturing 2

Students who are unable to successfully complete all their coursework should collaborate with their counselor to develop individualized plans to recover credits. Students can recover credits through our Alternative Independent Study Program. A credit recovery student may not earn more than twenty-four (24) credits in one academic year.

Students who wish to graduate early must contact their counselor to work out the details. These students will be expected to meet all graduation requirements. A written contract will be established and must be signed by the student, parent/guardian, counselor, and associate principal. This should be completed before the end of the junior year. A student may not earn more than sixteen (16) credits per school year to accelerate graduation.

Athletes interested in becoming eligible for Division I and Division II college athletic programs must meet the NCAA eligibility criteria. Early academic planning is critical. See your School Counselor for details.

Wayzata High School students who wish to enroll in an independent study may do so if the course they wish to enroll in is one that has been approved through Wayzata Public Schools' curriculum review process and the Wayzata High School new course proposal committee (i.e., the course must appear in the Wayzata High School registration guide). Eligible students are responsible for completing the application and finding a Wayzata High School teacher to facilitate the independent study.

INDEPENDENT STUDY APPLICATION

Credit for Online Learning vs Placement by Assessment 

A student may earn credit to fulfill graduation requirements from an online MN learning provider approved by the Minnesota Department of Education.  Students should meet with their counselor to discuss available options prior to enrolling in an online course.

Credit for Online Learning vs Placement by Assessment  

A student may fulfill the prerequisite requirements for a higher-level course by completing a Summer Test-in/Test-out option.  In preparation for the summer assessment, students may enroll in a course offered by an external provider.  The student should meet with their counselor to discuss appropriate course options and review required deadlines prior to enrolling in a course and/or attempting a Placement by Assessment.  Students who successfully complete the assessment process will receive a course grade of “T” on their transcript and be enrolled in the next level course.  A student has one opportunity to attempt to test out of a course.