Graduation Requirements
To earn a high school diploma, a student must:
- Earn specific high school credits (details below)
- Pass state tests or approved test alternatives (details below)
- Complete a High School & Beyond Plan
Required Credits & Tests
The State of Washington Graduation Toolkit outlines graduation requirements. The Washington State Board of Education offers an interactive graduation requirement table online.
- Graduation Requirements, Class of 2017
- Graduation Requirements, Class of 2018, 2019, 2020***
- Graduation Requirements, Class of 2021 and 2022
- Graduation Requirements, Class of 2023
Graduation Requirements, Class of 2017
Entering grade 9 in the 2013-14 school year
| Credits for Highline Public Schools | Credits for Raisbeck Aviation High School | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Mathematics |
3 Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 or other 3rd credit of math* |
3 Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 |
| Science | 2 Including at least 1 lab science |
3 Including at least 1 lab science |
| Social Studies | 3 1 US History, 1 Cont. Wld Hist/Geo/Problems and 1 Other Social Studies |
3 1 US History, 1 Cont. Wld Hist/Geo/Problems and 1 Other Social Studies |
| World Language | 0 | 2 In same language |
| Arts | 1 | 1 |
| Health and Fitness | 2 .5 Health and 1.5 Fitness | 2 .5 Health and 1.5 Fitness |
| Occupational Education | 1 | 1 |
| Electives | 7 | 4 |
| Total Required Credits | 23 | 23 |
Non-credit Requirements: High School and Beyond Plan
- Certificate of Academic Achievement or Individual Achievement awarded to students who pass the required assessments**
- Washington State history and government
Assessments:
- English Language Arts SBA
- Algebra EOC or Geometry EOC or Math SBA
*A student may elect to pursue a 3rd credit of math other than algebra 2 if the elective choice is based on a career oriented program of study identified in the student’s High School and Beyond Plan, and the student, parent or guardian, and a school representative meet, discuss the plan, and sign a form (WAC 180-51-067(2)(b).
**Students receiving special education services are eligible to earn a Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA)/high school diploma by meeting standard in the Washington Alternative Assessment System (WAAS). Eligibility is determined by a student’s IEP team.
Graduation Requirements, Class of 2018, 2019, 2020***
Entering grade 9 in the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 school year
| Credits for Highline Public Schools | Credits for Raisbeck Aviation High School | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Mathematics |
3 Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 or other 3rd credit of math* |
3 Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 |
| Science | 2 Including at least 1 lab science |
3 Including at least 1 lab science |
| Social Studies | 3 1 US History, 1 Cont. Global issues, 0.5 Civics and 0.5 Other Social Studies |
3 1 US History, ****1 Cont. Global Issues and 1 Other Social Studies |
| World Language | 0 | 2 In same language |
| Arts | 1 | 1 |
| Health and Fitness | 2 .5 Health and 1.5 Fitness | 2 .5 Health and 1.5 Fitness |
| Occupational Education | 1 | 1 |
| Electives | 7 | 4 |
| Total Required Credits | 23 | 23 |
| Non-credit Requirements | ||
| Assessments |
Non-credit Requirements:
- High School and Beyond Plan
- Washington State history and government
Assessments:
Class of 2018:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) English/Language Arts (ELA) test
- Algebra EOC or Geometry EOC or Smarter Balanced (SBA) Math test
Class of 2019:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) ELA test
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) Math test
Class of 2020:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) ELA test and Smarter Balanced (SBA) Math test
- OR
- State-approved alternative
*A student may elect to pursue a 3rd credit of math other than algebra 2 if the elective choice is based on a career oriented program of study identified in the student’s High School and Beyond Plan, and the student, parent or guardian, and a school representative meet, discuss the plan, and sign a form (WAC 180-51-067(2)(b)
***A waiver was granted from Washington State to postpone the start of the new state graduation requirements until 2021. The 2018 credit requirements will be in place through 2020.
****Raisbeck Aviation has embedded Civics into US History
Graduation Requirements, Class of 2021 and 2022
Entering grade 9 in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school year
| Credits for Highline Public Schools | Credits for Raisbeck Aviation High School | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Mathematics |
3 Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 or other 3rd credit of math* |
3 Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 |
| Science | 3 Including at least 2 lab science A 3rd cred of science2 |
3 Including at least 2 lab science A 3rd cred of science2 |
| Social Studies | 3 1 US History, 1 Cont. Global issues, 0.5 Civics and 0.5 Other Social Studies |
3 1 US History/Civics3,1 Cont. Global Issues and 1 Other Social Studies |
| World Language |
2 Both credits may be a Personalized Pathway Requirements4 |
2 In same language |
| Arts |
2 1 credit may be a Personalized Pathway Requirements |
2 1 credit may be a Personalized Pathway Requirements |
| Health and Fitness | 2 .5 Health and 1.5 Fitness Students must earn credit for physical education unless excused per RCW 28A.230.050 |
2 .5 Health and 1.5 Fitness Students must earn credit for physical education unless excused per RCW 28A.230.050 |
| Career & Technical Education (CTE) | 1 | 1 |
| Electives | 4 | 4 |
| Total Required Credits | 24 | 24 |
Non-credit Requirements:
- High School and Beyond Plan
- Washington State history and government course (7th grade)
Pathways:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) English/Language Arts (ELA) test
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) Math test
- OR
- State-approved alternative
* A waiver was granted from Washington State to postpone the start of the new state graduation requirements until 2021. The 2018 credit requirements will be in place through 2020.
2 The 3rd credit of science and the 3rd credit of math are chosen by the student based on the student’s interest and High school and Beyond Plan, and approved by the parent or guardian, or if the parent or guardian is unavailable or does not indicate a preference, the school counselor or principal (WAC 180-51-068).
3 Aviation has embedded Civics into US History
4 Personalized Pathway Requirement are related courses that lead to a specific post high school career or educational outcome chosen by the student based on the student’s interest and High school and Beyond Plan, that may include Career and Technical Education, and are intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning. Highline Public Schools Graduation Requirements, Class of 2021 and Beyond Entering the 9th grade in the 2017-18 school year
5 Students receiving special education services are eligible to earn a certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA)/high school diploma by meeting standard in the Washington Alternative Assessment System (WAAS). Eligibility is determined by a student’s IEP team.
6 Washington State History and Government is a required course taken in 7th grade. Highline students missing the 7th grade course must complete a Washington State History online course with student assignments (See counselor for details). Out-of-state/district student transfer courses will be evaluated by Highline Public Schools on a case-by-case basis.
Graduation Requirements, Class of 2023
Entering grade 9 in the 2019-20 school year
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Mathematics |
3Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 or other 3rd credit of math1 |
| Science | 3 Two of the three science credits must be lab science courses1 |
| Social Studies | 3 1 US History, 1 Cont. Global issues, 0.5 Civics2 and 0.5 Other Social Studies |
| World Language |
2 Both credits may be a Personalized Pathway Requirements3 |
| Arts |
2 1 credit may be a Personalized Pathway Requirements |
| Health and Fitness | 2 .5 Health and 1.5 Fitness Students must earn credit for physical education unless excused per RCW 28A.230.050 |
| Career & Technical Education (CTE) |
1 |
| Electives | 6.5 |
| Total Required Credits | 26.5 |
Non-credit Requirements:
- High School and Beyond Plan
- Washington State history and government course (7th grade)4
Pathways:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) English/Language Arts (ELA) test
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) Math test
- OR
- State-approved alternative
* A waiver was granted from Washington State to postpone the start of the new state graduation requirements until 2021. The 2018 credit requirements will be in place through 2020.
1The 3rd credit of science and the 3rd credit of math are chosen by the student based on the student’s interest and High school and Beyond Plan, and approved by the parent or guardian, or if the parent or guardian is unavailable or does not indicate a preference, the school counselor or principal (WAC 180-51-068).
2Aviation has embedded Civics into US History.
3Personalized Pathway Requirement are related courses that lead to a specific post high school career or educational outcome chosen by the student based on the student’s interest and High school and Beyond Plan, that may include Career and Technical Education, and are intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning
4Washington State History and Government is a required course taken in 7th grade. Highline students missing the 7th grade course must complete a WA State Packet with student assignments (packet available at the high school counseling office). Out-of-state/district student transfer courses will be evaluated by Highline Public Schools on a case-by-case basis.
If you are a student from the class of 2014-19 and meet all graduation requirements except state assessments, you can file an appeal waiver to graduate. Please contact your school counselor to submit a waiver.