Graduation Requirements
General Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements in Washington State ensure that every student is prepared for life after high school—whether that means college, career, or other pathways. To earn a diploma, students must complete all 4 of the requirements below. These standards are designed to provide flexibility while maintaining rigor, helping students achieve their individual goals.
- 24 total credits (see chart below)
- Washington State History
- Graduation Pathway
- High School & Beyond Plan
Course Requirements: 24 Total Credits
| Subject Area | WA State/MSHS Course Requirements | Recommended for Students Pursuing Competitive 4-Year College/University |
|---|---|---|
| Language Arts | 4 credits | 4 credits |
| Mathematics | 3 credits | 3-4 credits |
| Science | 3 credits | 3-4 credits |
| Social Studies | 3 credits | 3-4 credits |
| World Language | 2 credits *2 credits can be waived to meet student's Personalized Pathway Requirements as detailed in their High School & Beyond Plan; Student must work with Counselor to make arrangements |
3-4 credits (2 year min.) |
| Occupational Education | 1 credit | 1 credit |
| Health | .5 credit | .5 credit |
| Physical Education | 1.5 credits | 1.5 credits |
| Fine Arts | 2 credit *1 credit can be waived to meet student's Personalized Pathway Requirements as detailed in their High School & Beyond Plan; Student must work with Counselor to make arrangements |
2 credit |
| Electives | Enough elective credits to reach 24 credits total by graduation | Enough elective credits to reach 24 credits total by graduation |
* Recommended for students pursuing 2-year college, technical school, armed services, or work.
The above are recommendations of courses to include in a high school 4-year plan based on a designated pathway. High School 4-year planning may vary student-to-student depending on their strengths. Choosing and designing a curriculum based on these pathways does not guarantee admission to a specific college/university. You must research the specific colleges or universities for their specific entrance requirements. Other factors are also considered in admissions decisions: academic rigor (rigor can mean the combination of core subject areas as well as Honors and AP courses), student activities, community services, life experiences, personality and character.
Resources
Questions regarding graduation requirements or status can be addressed with the student's counselor. Visit our Counseling home page for contact information.