Working toward success
A student’s course selections throughout their high school career directly impact their options after graduation. All students are encouraged to prepare as best they can for continuing their education beyond high school into college (two-year or four-year), technical college, an apprenticeship or a job-training program.
That said, students should always take the highest level of academic course work they can successfully handle, along with electives that offer views into different careers.
Students must successfully complete the following number of units to be promoted to the next grade:
- Sophomore: at least 6 units
- Junior: at least 12 units
- Senior: at least 18 units
The promotional policy for the high school (grades 9 – 12) is based upon the accumulation of units rather than the number of years students are enrolled in the high school.
Students in grades 9–11 should enroll in a minimum of 6½ units per school year. Seniors are granted senior privileges if they are enrolled in a minimum of 6 units.
It is district practice not to allow students to drop a full-year course after the first five weeks of school. A drop/fail will be printed on the academic transcripts if the course is dropped after the first five weeks.
State Graduation and Diploma Requirements
Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation (23.5 units)
- English (4 units); English Language Arts Regents Exam
- Social Studies (4 units); U.S. History and Government Regents Exam, Global History and Geography Regents Exam
- Math (3 units); Math A Regents Exam or Algebra Regents Exam, Math B Regents Exam or Geometry Regents Exam and Intermediate Algebra/Trigonometry Regents Exam
- Science (3 units); 2 Regents exams (Earth Science/Living Environment/Chemistry or Physics)
- Foreign Language (3 units) OR 5-unit sequence from either Art, Music, Career & Technical program or Technology; French or Spanish Regents Exam
- Physical Education (2 units)
- Art and/or Math (1 unit)
- Health (1/2 unit)
Elective units to total 24
Regents Diploma – 22 units
- English (4 units); English Language Arts Regents Exam
- Social Studies (4 units); U.S. History and Government Regents Exam, Global History and Geography Regents Exam
- Math (3 units); Math A Regents Exam or Algebra Regents Exam
- Science (3 units); 1 Regents exam (Earth Science/Living Environment/Chemistry or Physics)
- Foreign Language (1 unit)
- Physical Education (2 units)
- Art and/or Music (1 unit)
- Health (1/2 unit)
- Human Development/Parenting (1/2 unit)
Elective units to total 22