Students can also make an appointment to meet with their school counselor to discuss their best options.

Students should know their requirements and regularly monitor their progress toward earning a diploma. School Counselors are available to assist students with planning for college and career readiness. Students can view an up-to-date report on their progress toward meeting graduation requirements on Virtual Counselor. Remember, Virtual Counselor can be confusing and not 100% up to date all the time. You are always welcome to speak to an in-person Counselor.

If you need clarification or have a question, please contact your Counselor!

Students must successfully complete one of the following diploma options:

• 24-credit standard diploma
• 18-credit Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL)
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway
• Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) curriculum
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma curriculum

Here is a little more information about each one:

24-credit standard diploma: This is the standard diploma option, which includes all of the requirements:

4 Credits English Language Arts (ELA)

ELA 1, 2, 3, 4

ELA honors, Advanced Placement (AP), AICE, IB, and dual enrollment courses may satisfy this requirement

4 Credits Mathematics*

One credit must be Algebra 1
One credit must be Geometry
Two credits of additional math courses

*Industry Certifications that lead to college credit may substitute for up to two mathematics credits (except for Algebra 1 and Geometry)
*An identified computer science** credit may substitute for up to one mathematics credit (except for Algebra 1 and Geometry)

3 Credits Science*

• One credit must be Biology 1, and two credits must be equally rigorous science courses
• Two of the three required course credits must have a laboratory component

3 Credits Social Studies

• 1 credit in World History
• 1 credit in U.S. History
• 0.5 credit in U.S. Government and Take the Civics Literacy Exam
• 0.5 credit in Economics

1 Credit Fine and Performing Arts, Speech and Debate, or Eligible Practical Arts

1 Online Course

Option 1: An entire course must be completed.
Option 2: Choose the ACCEL 18-Credit Option

1 Credit Physical Education:

Option 1: 1.0 Credit Physical Education to include integration of Health (HOPE)
Option 2: 0.5 credit Personal Fitness AND 0.5 credit PE elective (may be satisfied through Marching Band or Dance)
Option 3: Complete 2 full years of JROTC
Option 4: Complete 2 full seasons of a Junior Varsity or Varsity Sport
Option 5: Choose the ACCEL 18-Credit Option

8 Elective Courses

Volunteer Service Hours:

Option 1: 40 hours
Option 2: Choose the ACCEL 18-Credit Option

Requirement Changes For Students Entering Grade 9 in the 2021-2022 School Year and Beyond

7.5 Elective Credits
.5 Credit Personal Financial Literacy
No Online Course required
Can use Career/Technical Courses to meet the Fine and Performing/Practical Arts Requirement

World Languages: Not required for graduation. A minimum of 2 years of the same language is required for admission into most universities, and some Bright Futures Scholarships (FAS, FMS) and the Seal of Biliteracy may be an option depending on meeting eligibility requirements.

Students must earn a 2.0-grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for all cohort years and pass statewide, standardized assessments unless a waiver of assessment results is granted by the IEP team for students with disabilities.

Alternative Credit Options for Math and Science

Industry Certifications that lead to college credit may substitute for up to one science or one Math credit (except for Biology 1 or Algebra 1). Eligible courses are specified in the Florida Course Code Directory.
A computer science credit may not be used to substitute for both a mathematics and science credit.

18-credit Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL): This is an option that you could use to graduate in three years or if you want to eliminate specific requirements. The difference between this and the 24-credit option is:

3 elective credits instead of 8
Physical Education is not required
An online course is not required

For Students Entering Grade 9 in the 2021-2022 School Year and Beyond

2.5 Elective Credits
.5 Credit Personal Financial Literacy
Physical Education is not required
An online course is not required

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway:

(Students Entering Grade 9 in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 School Years)

Like the 18-credit ACCEL option, specific requirements are eliminated, and the Career & Technical Courses are required. The difference between this and the 24-credit option is:

At least 18 credits are required
4 elective credits instead of 8
- 2 credits in CTE courses must result in
  completion and industry certification
- 2 credits in work-based learning programs or up
  to 2 elective credits including financial literacy
Physical Education is not required
Fine and Performing Arts, Speech and Debate, or Practical Arts is not required
An online course is not required

For Students Entering Grade 9 in the 2021-2022 School Year and Beyond

3.5 Elective Credits
.5 Credit Personal Financial Literacy
Physical Education is not required
Fine and Performing Arts, Speech and Debate, or Practical Arts are not required.
An online course is not required.

Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) curriculum:

Cambridge International program has proven to prepare students for life after high school through its curriculum, which is both rigorous and recognized internationally. Cambridge learners become confident, responsible, reflective, innovative, and engaged. Cambridge qualifications allow learners to be accepted at the world's best universities. They are recognized by leading universities and employers worldwide as evidence of academic ability. Choosing Cambridge will give you a solid foundation for achieving high educational and personal attainment levels. The AICE Diploma program is only available at certain high schools. If you want to apply to one of the AICE high schools, visit the School Choice website.

For more information, visit the website for The Cambridge AICE Diploma.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma curriculum:

The International Baccalaureate Program is an accelerated honors program for highly motivated, academically talented students. This internationally recognized course of study stresses advanced standards in all subject areas. Students are offered a well-rounded education based on higher-level thinking skills, integrated curriculum, thematic units, and intercultural awareness. This unique, prestigious magnet program challenges students to become self-directed learners and world citizens.

For more information about IB, visit The International Baccalaureate® (IB).

The IB Curriculum is only available at certain high schools. If you want to apply to one of the IB high schools, visit the School Choice website.

Early High School Graduation

A high school student pursuing the four-year, 24-credit, or 18-credit ACCEL high school graduation program may be able to participate in early graduation (graduating in less than eight semesters). A student who completes his/her graduation requirements before their traditional graduation date may graduate early.

A student who graduates early may continue to participate in school activities and social events and attend and participate in graduation events with the student's cohort as if the student were still enrolled in high school. A student who graduates early will be included in class ranking, honors, and award determinations for the student's cohort. A student who graduates early must comply with district school board rules and policies regarding access to the school facilities and grounds during regular operating hours.

Points To Remember When Choosing A Graduation Program

Students who choose the ACCEL 18 credit graduation program may still qualify for acceleration programs (e.g., AP, dual enrollment, IB, and AICE) and a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship if they meet the eligibility and admission requirements for those programs and scholarships.
Students who choose the ACCEL 18 credit graduation program can participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program if they take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) in the next-to-last year or the last year they are enrolled in high school. Those who take the PSAT/NMSQT in their previous year of high school will enter the competition for awards to be offered as they complete their first year of college.
Students who choose the ACCEL program and complete the requirements within three years can choose to graduate in three years. Students who choose this option are not required to graduate early and may elect to stay in school for a fourth year. However, once a student decides to graduate and earns a diploma, they cannot remain in school for an additional year. Students will lose a year of potential athletic eligibility by opting for the three-year program.
Students who meet specified requirements for a comprehensive program of study in career education may be recognized with a Florida Ready to Work Credential or designation reflecting one or more industry certifications.
High school credits awarded before grade nine shall be counted toward the required credits for all graduation. Students who plan to apply to an out-of-state or private in-state college or university and are interested in the three-year graduation program should contact those institutions as early as possible for specific admission requirements.
Students who choose the ACCEL 18 credit graduation program must be treated equally with students who choose the 24-credit program, including eligibility for valedictorian or salutatorian ranking, Talented 20, and Bright Futures Scholarships.
The student and the student's parent(s) should meet with designated school personnel to receive an explanation of the relative requirements, advantages, and disadvantages of each program option.

You can also view the graduation requirements and options on the school counseling department's chart: Grad Req Chart - All 2021 and prior.pdf