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Skip Navigation LinksADLA Administrative Handbook > Chapter 11 - School Curriculum > 11.3 - High School Curriculum and Instruction > 11.3.10 - Graduation Requirements


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​​Graduation Requirements​

1 Archdiocesan Requirements

The faculty handbook and parent/student handbook are to state the following graduation requirements, including conditions and exceptions:

SUBJECT AREA NUMBER OF REQUIRED SEMESTERS
English8 semesters
Foreign Language4 semesters of the same language
Health1/2 semester (State of California requirement)
Mathematics6 semesters
Physical Education2 semesters
Religious Studies8 semesters or the number of semesters a student has attended a Catholic school (1 course for each semester of attendance)
Science4 semesters (to include 1 course in a life science and 1 course in a physical science)
Social Science6 semesters (to include 2 semesters of U.S. History, 1 semester of U.S. Government, and 1 semester of Economics)
Visual and Performing Arts2 consecutive semesters
ElectivesSufficient to meet 240 credits for graduation​


For more information about computer courses, see the Los Angeles Archdiocese Secondary Principals Curriculum Committee Recommendation Regarding the Computer Course Requirement.

See the High School Honors/AP Placement Form (sample).​

Policies for valedictorian and salutatorian selection must be published in the parent/student handbook.

2 College Admission Requirements and Graduation Requirements

SUBJECT AREA UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REQUIREMENTS CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS NCAA REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVISION I (may be different for Division II) ARCHDIOCESAN GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (sample)
English 4 years 4 years 4 years 4 years 4 years
Foreign Language

2 years

of the same language

*3 years recommended

2 years

of the same language

 

 

2 years

of the same language

2 years

*3 years recommended for students who are bound for the UC system

Health

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1/2 semester 

(State of California requirement)		 1/2 semester 

(State of California requirement)
Math

3 years

Algebra I and above

*4 years recommended

3 years

Algebra I and above

*4 years recommended

3 years

Algebra I or higher

 3 years

3 years

Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II​

Physical Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1 year 1 year
Religion    4 years 4 years
Science

2 years

of lab science: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics

*3 years recommended

2 years

of lab science: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics

2 years

(1 year must be a lab science)

2 years

1 year of a life science and 1 year of a physical science

2 years

Biology and Chemistry

Social Science

2 years

1 year of World History/Cultures/Geography, and either 1 year of U.S. History or 1 semester each of U.S. History and Civics/U.S. Government

2 years

1 year of Social Science, and either 1 year of U.S. History or 1 semester each of U.S. History and Civics/U.S. Government

 2 years

3 years

1 year of U.S. History, 1 semester of U.S. Government, and 1 semester of Economics

3 years

1 year of World History, 1 year of U.S. History, 1 semester of U.S. Government, and 1 semester of Economics

Visual and Performing Arts 2 consecutive semesters 2 consecutive semesters   2 consecutive semesters 2 consecutive semesters
Electives 1 year

1 year

College preparatory

1 year

of an additional Math, English, or Science course

Sufficient to meet 240 credits for graduationSufficient to meet 240 credits for graduation
     

**4 years

of extra core courses: English, Math, Social Science, Science, Foreign Language, non-doctrinal Religion, or Philosophy

  ​