Making the grade

Graduation Requirements

Language Arts — 4 credits

English 9-1, 9-2, English 10-1, 10-2, and one semester of Composition during grades 11 or 12 plus three semesters of electives in grades 10, 11, or 12.

Social Studies — 4 credits

World History 9- 1 and 9- 2, U.S. History 10- 1 and 10 -2, one semester of Alaska Studies, one semester of Economics, one semester of United States Government, one semester of a Social Studies elective. Students may waive the .5 credit social studies requirement by completion of Level III of a world language (Latin, French, German, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish); immersion students may waive the .5 social studies requirement by completion of Japanese for Fluent Speaker II or Spanish Immersion: Vistas Juveniles del Mundo Hispano.

Mathematics — 2.5 credits

Five semesters of Mathematics electives. In order to satisfy the Algebra requirements, students must complete one of the following options: Algebra I, semester 1 and 2; or Algebra A, semester 1 and 2 AND Algebra B, semester 1 and 2 or Algebra Survey, semester 1 and 2; or Credit-by-Choice Challenge by Examination.

Sciences — 3 credits

Three years (six semesters) of science credit are required. Two semesters must be life science. Two semesters must be physical science.

Electives — 7.5 credits

Fifteen semester courses have not been specified so as to provide students an opportunity to pursue individual educational goals. Electives may include additional courses in Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Fine Arts, World Languages, Physical Education and Career Technology.

Physical Education/Health Education — 1.5 credits

Three semesters of physical education graduation requirements can be fulfilled by passing the required Lifetime Personal Fitness course plus .5 credit from the lifetime activity courses (noted as such in course listings) plus .5 additional credit from any physical education class.

1. Students may obtain a waiver of .25 of the physical education graduation requirement for each full season of ASAA-sanctioned sports participation within the Anchorage School District. Elective credit must be earned to replace the Physical Education/Health Education requirement that is waived. A waiver of the physical education requirement under this section does not affect the overall minimum requirements of 22.5 credits.
2. Lifetime Personal Fitness can be waived by:
   1. successful completion of a fitness and written test administered by Health and Physical Education Department; or
   2. participation in two seasons of ASAA-sanctioned extracurricular sports within the Anchorage School District and successful completion of the computerized knowledge test administered by designated high school building personnel.
3. Students may also waive a maximum of 1.0 physical education credits through Credit-By-Choice, correspondence, college coursework, or field study programs.
4. A maximum of 1.0 waiver of the physical education requirement is available upon completion of 2 full years of JROTC.
5. Healthy Life Skills and First Aid are not repeatable upon receiving a passing grade in a previous semester.

Notes

A student may be considered for graduation when he or she has acquired a minimum of 22.5 credits after grade 8 in required and elective subjects. Depending upon High School Graduation Qualifying Exam results, either a diploma or certificate of achievement will be awarded.

Seniors entering the ASD for the first time may graduate by meeting requirements of their previous school when the ASD requirements create hardship.