Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2019

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Click on your year to see the state graduation requirements. Students are assigned an expected graduation year at the time they enter ninth grade (WAC 180-51-035). They are held to the graduation requirements of that graduation year regardless of the year they actually complete high school. [Back to Graduation Requirements]

Graduation Requirements

State Requirements for the Class of 2019

Cohort: Students entering 9th grade from July 2015 through June 2016

2019 Graduation Requirements

Credits: 24

Non-Credits: High School & Beyond Plan, Washington State History

Assessments: 2

Districts may have local requirements. Students and parents should check with school counselors for additional requirements for graduation. The requirements for the Class of 2019 are described in WAC 180-51-068.

Districts may apply for a delay of up to two years in implementing the 24-credit graduation requirements. For districts that delay these requirements will be implemented for the Class of 2020 or Class of 2021. View a list of districts with extensions.

Credit Requirements

Total number of credits: 24


Subject
Number
of Credits

Additional Information

English

4

 

Math

3

Algebra 1 or Integrated Math 1
Geometry or Integrated Math 2
A 3rd credit of math*

Science

3

At least two lab
A 3rd credit of science*

Social Studies

3

1.0 U.S. History and Government
.5 Contemporary World History, Geography, and Problems
.5 credits of Civics 
1.0 credits of Social Studies Elective (may include .5 credits of a second semester of Contemporary World History or the equivalent)

Arts

2

Performing or visual arts
1 credit may be a Personalized Pathway Requirements**

World Language 2    Both credits may be a Personalized Pathway
   Requirements**

Health and Fitness

2

.5 credits of Health
1.5 credits of Fitness
Students may be excused from participating in physical education classes per RCW 28A.230.050

Career and Technical Education

1

May be an Occupational Education course that meets the definition of an exploratory course as described in the CTE program standards

Electives

4

 

*The 3rd credit of science and the 3rd credit of math are chosen by the student based on the student's interest and High School and Beyond Plan, and approved by the parent or guardian, or if the parent or guardian is unavailable or does not indicate a preference, the school counselor or principal (WAC 180-51-068).

**Personalized Pathway Requirement are related courses that lead to a specific post high school career or educational outcome chosen by the student based on the student’s interests and High School and Beyond Plan, that may include Career and Technical Education, and are intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning.


Students in graduation caps ready for commencement

Non-Credit Requirements


Assessments

(See OSPI testing webpage. For more information on state-approved alternative assessments see OSPI graduation alternatives webpage.)

  • High school English language arts Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC)* (or state-approved alternative)
  • High school math Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC)*

    (or state-approved alternative)

  • Students will take a high school science exam, the WCAS (Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science) aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards, in 11th grade. It is not a graduation requirement and students will not need to pass the test to graduate.

* Students need to meet a graduation score, set by the State Board of Education in August 2015, to meet graduation requirements. The graduation score is different from the college- and career-ready score (Level 3 on the Smarter Balanced assessments).


Frequently Asked Questions

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