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. Track your progress using the State of Washington Graduation Checklist. The Washington State Board of Education offers an interactive graduation requirement table online.
Highline Public Schools' graduation requirements include 23 credits (shown below).
- Graduation Requirements, Class of 2017
- Graduation Requirements, Class of 2018, 2019, 2020***
- Graduation Requirements, Class of 2021 and Beyond*
- Printable Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements, Class of 2017
Entering grade 9 in the 2013-2014 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 | ||
| Assessments |
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 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 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
- Certificate of Academic Achievement or Individual Achievement awarded to students who pass the required assessments**
- Washington State history and government
Assessments:
Class of 2018:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) English/Language Arts (ELA) test
- Algebra EOC or Geometry EOC or SBA Math Test
Class of 2019:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) ELA test
- SBA Math Test
Classes of 2020:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) ELA test
- SBA Math Test
*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.
***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 Beyond*
Entering grade 9 in the 2017-2018 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 |
| Occupational Education | 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)
Assessments:
- Smarter Balanced (SBA) English/Language Arts (ELA) test SBA Math Test Comprehensive Science (assessment to be created based on NGSS)
* 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 2017-2018 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.
6Washington 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.
Printable Graduation Requirements
For a full description and explanation of Graduation Requirements, please refer to School Board Policy 2410.
Printable graduation requirements:
Printable Graduation requirements in Español:
Printable Graduation requirements in Vietnamese:
In July 2017, Governor Jay Inslee signed ESHB 2224, also known as the assessment bill. The new legislation will allow some students who were unable to graduate after not passing a state assessment to appeal and possibly receive their diploma. This applies to students in the classes of 2014-18. We are currently waiting for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to provide an appeal process before we can move forward. We will update our website when we have additional information. Fill out a diploma request form and we will contact you when we know more.