To graduate from high school, students shall meet the minimum requirements for the 24-credit diploma as outlined below for grades 9-12. The requirements for a student to earn a diploma shall be those in effect when the student enters the ninth grade for the first time.

Students in grades 7-12 receive credit toward graduation for high school courses taken in grades 7 and 8 in foreign language, algebra, and geometry. These courses count toward credits in the foreign language and mathematics sequences as well as toward the total number of credits required for graduation and calculation of the grade point average (GPA). Beginning with students in the grades 7 and 8 in school year 1997-98, middle school parents may request that grades for any high school credit for the course. This request must be made in writing to the school prior to the beginning of the next school year. This course title will appear on the high school transcript with a "no mark" designation.

Units of Credit

English 4
Mathematics* 4
Laboratory Science** 4
History and Social Sciences*** 4
Health and Physical Education 2
Fine Arts of Practical Arts 1
Foreign Language**** 3
Electives 2

Total 24

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* Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall be at or above the level of algebra and shall include at least three different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II.

** Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different sciences disciplines from among: Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

*** Courses completed to satisfy this requirement are: U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and World History/Geography I and II. AP World History satisfies the requirement for World History/Geography II.
**** Three years of one language or two years of two languages.