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ZuluStep 2
Choose a Diploma
Familiarize yourself with graduation requirements and decide which diploma you will pursue to help you reach your educational and career goals for life after high school.
Graduation Requirements
Choose a Diploma
Advanced Studies Diploma
Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements
Standard Credits
Verified Credits
English
4 Standard
2 Verified
English
4 Standard
2 Verified
Courses shall include at least three selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other math courses above the level of Algebra II. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a mathematics credit.
4 Standard
1 Verifed
Courses shall include at least three selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other math courses above the level of Algebra II. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a mathematics credit.
4 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include selections from at least three different disciplines from among earth science, biology, chemistry, physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the IB diploma and shall include interdisciplinary courses that incorporate Standards of Learning content from multiple academic areas. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a laboratory science credit.
4 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include selections from at least three different disciplines from among earth science, biology, chemistry, physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the IB diploma and shall include interdisciplinary courses that incorporate Standards of Learning content from multiple academic areas. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a laboratory science credit.
4 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include VA and US History, VA and US Government, and two courses either in world history or geography, or both.
4 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include VA and US History, VA and US Government, and two courses either in world history or geography, or both.
4 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include three years of one language or two years of two languages.
3 Standard
Courses shall include three years of one language or two years of two languages.
3 Standard
0 Verified
Health & Physical Education
2 Standard
Health & Physical Education
2 Standard
0 Verified
A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a Career and Technical Education credit.
1 Standard
A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a Career and Technical Education credit.
1 Standard
0 Verified
Total Credits Required:
26 Standard
5 Verified
Additional graduation requirements for students who entered ninth grade in the 2018-2019 school year and thereafter
- Successfully complete an Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment, or Honors course; or complete a Work-Based Learning experience as established by Board guidance; or earn a board-approved Career and Technical Education credential; and
- successfully complete one virtual course, which may be non-credit bearing; and
- complete training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators, including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and
- demonstrate foundational skills in the 5 C’s: critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship in accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate approved by the board.
* For mathematics and career and technical education, AP Computer Science A may provide a standard credit to satisfy graduation requirements. For laboratory science, AP Computer Science A may provide a standard credit to satisfy graduation requirements when students successfully complete laboratory science courses from the different science discipline areas in accordance with the Standards of Accreditation.
Students With Disabilities
The Board of Education has approved Advanced Studies Diploma Credit Accommodations for students with disabilities to provide alternatives for meeting the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma. Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan that meet specific criteria may be eligible to receive credit accommodations for the Advanced Studies Diploma. This is determined by the student’s IEP or 504 committee/team at any point after the student’s eighth grade year.
Additional Notes
Students who complete a Career and Technical Education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a Career and Technical Education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association, or acquires a professional license in a Career and Technical Education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for either a science or social studies verified credit when the certification, license, or credential confers more than one verified credit. The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the board as an additional test to verify student achievement.
Standard Diploma
Standard Diploma Requirements
Standard Credits
Verified Credits
English
4 Standard
2 Verified
English
4 Standard
2 Verified
Courses shall include at least two selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra, Functions and Data Analysis, Algebra II, or other math courses above Algebra II. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a mathematics credit.
3 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include at least two selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra, Functions and Data Analysis, Algebra II, or other math courses above Algebra II. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a mathematics credit.
3 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include selections from at least two different disciplines from among earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, or completion of the sequence of course required for the IB diploma. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a laboratory science credit.
3 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include selections from at least two different disciplines from among earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, or completion of the sequence of course required for the IB diploma. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a laboratory science credit.
3 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include VA and US History, VA and US Government, and one course in either world history or geography or both.
3 Standard
1 Verified
Courses shall include VA and US History, VA and US Government, and one course in either world history or geography or both.
3 Standard
1 Verified
Health & Physical Education
2 Standard
Health & Physical Education
2 Standard
0 Verified
Courses shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or Career and Technical Education. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a Career and Technical Education course.
2 Standard
Courses shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or Career and Technical Education. A Computer Science* course credit may be considered a Career and Technical Education course.
2 Standard
0 Verified
Total Credits Required:
22 Standard
5 Verified
Additional graduation requirements for students who entered ninth grade in the 2018-2019 school year and beyond
- Successfully complete an Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment, or Honors course; or complete a Work-Based Learning experience as established by Board guidance; or earn a board-approved Career and Technical Education credential; and
- successfully complete one virtual course, which may be non-credit bearing; and
- complete training in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators, including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and
- demonstrate foundational skills in the 5 C’s: critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship in accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate approved by the board.
*For mathematics and career and technical education, AP Computer Science A may provide a standard credit to
satisfy graduation requirements. For laboratory science, AP Computer Science A may provide a standard credit to satisfy graduation requirements when students successfully complete laboratory science courses from the different
science discipline areas in accordance with the Standards of Accreditation.
Students With Disabilities
The Board of Education has approved Standard Diploma Credit Accommodations for students
with disabilities to provide alternatives for meeting the requirements for a Standard Diploma.
Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan that meet specific criteria may be
eligible to receive credit accommodations for the Standard Diploma. This is determined by the
student’s IEP or 504 committee/team at any point after the student’s eighth grade year.
Additional Notes
Students who complete a Career and Technical Education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a Career and Technical Education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association, or acquires a professional license in a Career and Technical Education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for either a science or social studies verified credit when the certification, license, or credential confers more than one verified credit. The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the board as an additional test to verify student achievement.
Applied Studies Diploma (Students with an IEP)
for students receiving special education services through an IEP and not pursuing any other diploma type
Applied Studies Diploma Requirements
To receive an Applied Studies Diploma, a student must receive exceptional education services and meet the requirements specific in his/her Individualized Education Program (IEP).
The Applied Studies Diploma is available to students with an Individualized Education Program. The Code of Virginia (8VAC20-131-50D) states, “In accordance with the requirements of the Standards of Quality, students with disabilities who complete the requirements of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and do not meet requirements for other diplomas shall be awarded Applied Studies Diplomas.” This diploma is available to all students with an IEP. Students with an IEP who pursue a Standard Diploma but do not meet the criteria are still eligible to earn the Applied Studies Diploma.
The VDOE’s new resource, Understanding the Applied Studies Diploma (PDF) is here to assist families with understanding everything they need to know related to this specific diploma option. An accessible Word document version (Word) is also available.
Other Diploma/Certificate Type
General education students who pass courses but do not earn the required number of verified credits may be awarded a Certificate of Program Completion. Students will be encouraged to pursue outstanding verified credits to earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma, and will be eligible to participate in graduation exercises once a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma is earned.
The Board of Education has established a program of testing for High School Equivalency through the General Educational Development (GED). A GED Certificate may be earned through the Individual Student Alternative Education/GED program offered through HCPS.