Requirements for High School Diploma in California

<table border="1"><tr><td><b>California Graduation Minimum Requirements</b></td><td> 13 full-year courses completed</td></tr> <tr><td><b>English &amp; Social Studies Requirements</b></td><td> 3 years of English, 3 years of social studies</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Math &amp; Science Requirements</b></td><td> 2 years of math, 2 years of science</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Other Requirements</b></td><td> 2 years of physical education, 1 year of a foreign language or arts or CTE</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Awards Available</b></td><td> Golden State Seal Merit Diploma, California State Seal of Biliteracy</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheEnglishAndSocialStudiesCoursesRequiredToGraduateHighSchoolWithADiplomaInCalifornia">What Are the English and Social Studies Courses Required to Graduate High School with a Diploma in California?</h3><p>It is required of all students to complete 3 courses of English before they be allowed to graduate. The particular courses are not defined, and many local school districts will require a fourth year of English, to better align with college admission requirements. 3 years of social studies courses are also required, which must consist of 1 year of US history and geography; 1 year of world history, culture, and geography; as well as half a year of civics and government and half a year of economics. </p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheMathAndScienceCoursesRequiredToGraduateHighSchoolWithADiplomaInCalifornia">What Are the Math and Science Courses Required to Graduate High School with a Diploma in California?</h3><p>The state of California requires that students only complete 2 years of math courses, which must include algebra I or an equivalent. Many local districts require 3 years of math, to meet admissions requirements for universities, and 4 years are recommended. Students who complete algebra I while in middle school will still need to take 2 years of math in high school above that level. 2 years of science courses are required, at least 1 of which must be biology and the other a physical science, such as chemistry or physics. 3 years of science are recommended to meet college admission standards, and a third year may be required in some school districts. </p><h3 id="section---WhatOtherCoursesAreRequiredToGraduateHighSchoolWithADiplomaInCalifornia">What Other Courses Are Required to Graduate High School with a Diploma in California?</h3><p>In addition to these core subjects, it is also required that students in California complete 2 years of physical education. Students will also need to complete 1 year of either visual or performing arts, a foreign language, or career technical education, at their own choice. Students planning to enroll in state universities are encouraged to take 2 or 3 years of the same foreign language, and at least 1 year of arts. While no electives are accounted for in the state's minimum requirements, most students will have 6-8 electives available to them under normal schedules. Local school districts may add further graduation requirements, such as a course on health education. </p><h3 id="section---WhatSpecialAwardsCanIEarnAlongsideMyHighSchoolDiplomaInCalifornia">What Special Awards Can I Earn Alongside My High School Diploma in California?</h3><p>The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma is a special award given to students who have demonstrated a mastery of content in six different subject areas, which consist of the four core subjects and two others of a student's choosing. Mastery can be shown by achieving a grade of B+ or greater in each course taken in grades 9-11. Students are nominated by their school districts. The other major award available is the California State Seal of Biliteracy, which is proof of a student's ability in both English and another language. Students can demonstrate their proficiency with four years of study in a foreign language and completion of an oral exam, or by taking proficiency tests in the language of choice.</p>