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Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Content Area

Credits

Requirements

English

4

English I
English II
English III
English IV

Mathematics

4

Math 1
Math 2
Math 3
An additional 4th math course aligned with the student's post-high plans.

Science

3

Earth & Environmental Science
Biology
Chemistry or Physical Science or Physics

Social Studies

4

Students entering high school beginning in the 2021-2022 school year and beyond:

World History
Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy  
Economics and Personal Finance  
American History  

Students entering high school in 2020-2021:  

World History
A Founding Principles Course  
Economics and Personal Finance  
An American History Course    

Students entering high school prior to 2020-2021:  

World History
The Founding Principles: Civics & Economics
American History I
American History II

Note: US History AP and an additional Social Studies elective can replace American History I & II

Health and PE

1

9th Grade Health and PE

Career and Technical Education

1

One course from the Career and Technical Education Department

Arts Education

1

One course from the Arts Department: Visual arts, Dance, Music, Theater

Subtotal

18

These 18 credits are required for all students

World Language

(2)

This is not an ACS graduation requirement; however, 2 credits (of the same language) are required for 4-year University admission.

Other Courses

8 or 10

If a student plans to attend 4-year college/university, they will need 2 World Language credits and 8 additional credits.  Otherwise, they will need 10 additional credit to the 18 listed above. See Board Policy 3460.

Total Credits

28

28 Credits to Graduate

 

Grading Scale and Quality Points

Letter Grade

Numerical Range

Quality Points

A

90-100

4.0

B

80-89

3.0

C

70-79

2.0

D

60-69

1.0

F

Less than 59

0.0

For students entering 9th grade in 2015-16 and later, Honors courses will receive an additional 0.5 quality points and Advanced Placement Courses (AP) will receive an additional 1.0 quality points.  For example, a B in Honors English II would earn 3.5 quality points and an A in AP US History would earn 5.0 quality points.