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Graduation Requirements

High school graduation requirements and college/university entrance requirements are not the same. Course selection should be based on academic, career, and personal interest. Student interests and goals should guide the path through high school.

College admission requirements will vary from school to school and it is recommended that students check admission requirements before applying to their college of choice. Students are encouraged to reach out to their Guidance Counselor if they have questions about graduation requirements or the college admission process.

Subject AreaGraduation RequirementsTotal Credits
Social Studies6 semester courses ( Must include 1 year of US History, 1 year World History, 1 semester of Government, and 1 semester of Economics)30
English8 semester courses40
Math4 semester courses ( Algebra 1 must be completed)20
Science4 semester courses ( Must include 1 year of Physical Science and 1 year of Life Science)20
Visual & Performing Arts2 semester courses10
World Language
Physical Education4 semester courses20
Electives12 semester courses60
Total =200 Credits

* Please note that once a subject area graduation requirement has been fulfilled, all excess credits will be rolled over to the Electives category.


Suggested Course Sequences

Mission Vista/CDE Graduation Requirements
UC/CSU A-G University Entrance Requirements





English (40 credits)
English (40 credits)
English 9AEnglish 9B
English 9AEnglish 9B
English 10AEnglish 10B
English 10AEnglish 10B
English 11AEnglish 11B
English 11AEnglish 11B
English 12AEnglish 12B
English 12AEnglish 12B





Mathematics (20 credits)
Mathematics (30 credits minimum)
Algebra 1AAlgebra 1B
Algebra 1AAlgebra 1B
Other Math AOther Math B
Geometry AGeometry B



Algebra 2AAlgebra 2B





Social Studies (30 credits)
Social Studies (30 credits)
World History AWorld History B
World History AWorld History B
US History AUS History B
US History AUS History B
GovernmentEconomics
GovernmentEconomics





Science (20 credits)
Science (20 credits)
Life Science ALife Science B
Biology A with LabsBiology B with Labs
Physical Science APhysical Science B
Chemistry A with LabsChemistry B with Labs





Language other than English (LOTE) / Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) (10 credits) 
Language other than English (20 credits minimum)
LOTE or VPA ALOTE or VPA B
Spanish / French / Other 1ASpanish / French / Other 1B



Spanish / French / Other 2ASpanish / French / Other 2B







Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) (10 credits)



VPA Course AVPA Course B





Physical Education
Physical Education (20 credits)
PE 9APE 9B
PE 9APE 9B
PE 10APE 10B
PE 10APE 10B





Electives (60 credits)
Electives (50 credits)
Elective 1 AElective 1 B
College Prep Elective ACollege Prep Elective B
Elective 2 AElective 2 B
Elective 2 AElective 2 B
Elective 3 AElective 3 B
Elective 3 AElective 3 B
Elective 4 AElective 4 B
Elective 4 AElective 4 B
Elective 5 AElective 5 B
Elective 5 AElective 5 B
Elective 6 AElective 6 B