Graduation Requirements

All students in grades 9 through 12, except for those students enrolled in the CSSCA Program, or seniors who are scheduled for a study hall period, must schedule 8 credits each year. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 28 credits, including all required courses, in order to obtain a William Tennent diploma.

Content Area Requirements

# of Required Credits

Required Courses

Language Arts

4

  • English 9

  • English 10

  • English 11 (two 0.5 credits) or AP

  • English 12 (two 0.5 credits) or AP

Social Studies

3

  • US History- Grade 9

  • Global Studies or AP World History- Grade 10

  • Government and Public Policy or AP Government- Grade 12

Science

**3-4

  • Biology- Grade 9

  • Chemistry- Grade 10

  • Science elective of choice- Grade 11

  • One additional math or science credit.

Mathematics

**3-4

  • Algebra 1 or Geometry- Grade 9

  • Geometry or Algebra II- Grade 10

  • Algebra II or Pre-Calculus- Grade 11

  • One additional math or science credit.

Health & PE

1.5

0.5 credits per year grades 9-11

BCIT

0.5

Academic Seminar- Grade 9

Content Area Electives

11-15 Credits Required

Offering Departments

Humanities, Technologies & the Arts

  • Art

  • Business

  • Technology

  • Family and Consumer Sciences

  • Music

  • Digital Production

  • World Language*

  • Language Arts electives

  • Math electives

  • Science electives

  • Social Studies electives

*World Language: a minimum of 2 Credits in the same language is strongly suggested for college-bound students.

**All students are required to have a total of 7 combined Math and Science credits with at least three from each department. AP Computer Science Principles or AP Computer Science A may count as one math or science credit.

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

English*

English*

English*

English*

Math*

Math*

Math*

Math or Science*

Science*

Science*

Science*

Elective

Social Studies*

Social Studies*

Elective

Social Studies*

Physical Education*/Academic Seminar*

Health*/Elective

Physical Education*/Elective

Elective

World Language or other Elective

World Language or other Elective

World Language or other Elective

World Language or other Elective

Elective

Elective

Elective

Elective

Elective

Elective

Elective

Elective

*Graduation Requirements: Class of 2022 and beyond - 32 credits maximum, 28 credits required to graduate

Additional PDE Requirements:

In addition to completing the above requirements, the Pennsylvania Department of Education requires students to meet an additional statewide graduation requirement. This may be accomplished by:

  • Meeting Proficiency in Algebra I, Biology, and Literature on the Keystone Exams

  • Earning satisfactory composite scores on the Algebra I, Biology, and Literature Keystone exams

  • Earning passing grades in the courses corresponding with Keystone exams and satisfactorily completing an alternative assessment (PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, or Gold Level ACT Work Keys), advanced coursework (AP, IB, dual enrollment), pre-apprenticeship, or acceptance in a four-year, non-profit institution of higher education for college level coursework

  • Earning passing grades in the courses corresponding with Keystone exams and pass the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) or the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment in an approved career and technical education concentration

  • Earning passing grades in the courses corresponding with Keystone exams and demonstrate readiness for postsecondary engagement through three pieces of evidence from the student’s career portfolio aligned to student’s goals and career plan (ACT Work Keys, SAT Subject Test, AP, IB, dual enrollment, higher education acceptance, community learning project, completion of an internship, externship, or coop, or full-time employment)