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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 Area Graduation Requirements Total Credits
Social Studies 6 semester courses ( Must include 1 year of US History, 1 year World History, 1 semester of Government, and 1 semester of Economics) 30
English 8 semester courses 40
Math 4 semester courses ( Algebra 1 must be completed) 20
Science 4 semester courses ( Must include 1 year of Physical Science and 1 year of Life Science) 20
Visual & Performing Arts 2 semester courses 10
World Language
Physical Education 4 semester courses 20
Electives 12 semester courses 60
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 9A English 9B
English 9A English 9B
English 10A English 10B
English 10A English 10B
English 11A English 11B
English 11A English 11B
English 12A English 12B
English 12A English 12B





Mathematics (20 credits)
Mathematics (30 credits minimum)
Algebra 1A Algebra 1B
Algebra 1A Algebra 1B
Other Math A Other Math B
Geometry A Geometry B



Algebra 2A Algebra 2B





Social Studies (30 credits)
Social Studies (30 credits)
World History A World History B
World History A World History B
US History A US History B
US History A US History B
Government Economics
Government Economics





Science (20 credits)
Science (20 credits)
Life Science A Life Science B
Biology A with Labs Biology B with Labs
Physical Science A Physical Science B
Chemistry A with Labs Chemistry B with Labs





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



Spanish / French / Other 2A Spanish / French / Other 2B







Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) (10 credits)



VPA Course A VPA Course B





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





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