Topic 5-01-4 – Graduation Requirements
A student earns five (5) units of credit for the successful completion of a one-semester course that meets a minimum of 240 minutes a week for a given semester.
Over the course of four years, the student must have a total of 240 units of credit to qualify for graduation and receive a diploma from Bishop Alemany High School.
Credit is awarded for each course when the student has met the minimum standards established by Bishop Alemany High School for academic achievement and regular attendance. To receive credit, a student must pass the course with a "D-" or better and have no excessive absences within a semester.
Courses should be taken at Bishop Alemany. Exceptions may be granted by the Assistant Principal of Curriculum for transfer students and those who must make up "D" or "F" grades. Students must have the prior permission of an administrator to take courses off campus, otherwise such credit may not be accepted toward graduation.
The following courses are required for graduation (course descriptions and requirements available in the Course Catalog):
- Religion – 8 semesters required.
A student must schedule a Religion course every semester he/she is in attendance at Bishop Alemany.
- English – 8 semesters required.
A student must schedule an English course every semester, whether or not he/she has the required number of English credits. Additional courses may be taken as electives.
- Social Studies – 6 semesters required.
Each student must take Global History or AP World History; U.S. History or AP U.S. History; one semester of Government and one semester of Economics or one year of AP Government-Macroeconomics.
- Mathematics – 6 semesters required.
A student must take 6 semesters of Mathematics. Placement in appropriate courses is directed by the Director of Admissions (for incoming students) and the Department Chair in consultation with the Assistant Principal of Curriculum.
- Foreign Language – 4 semesters required.
Students must take two years of a foreign language (4 semesters). The courses must be in the same language.
- Science – 4 semesters required.
Two semesters of a Physical Science and two semesters of a Biological Science are required.
- Arts – 2 semesters required.
Students must take 2 semesters of the same Visual & Performing Art from the approved list.
- Physical Education – 2 semesters required.
- Health – 1 Quarter required.
Students may meet this requirement by taking a combined year-long P.E./Health course. Students may also meet this requirement by taking a quarter Health class offered by Bishop Alemany or by completing an off-campus Health course with the approval of the Assistant Principal of Curriculum.
- Electives – 8 semesters required.
Students must take at least 6 semesters of courses beyond those used to meet the above requirements. Advanced courses in Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Visual and Performing Arts beyond the basic requirements are considered to be elective courses.
Advanced Placement Courses – Students are recommended for admission to Advanced Placement courses by the department in consultation with the Assistant Principal of Curriculum. All students who enroll in AP courses are required to take the AP examination for those courses in May. Payment for AP tests must be made prior to the examination date(s).
Bishop Alemany High School does not offer early graduation.
Students are expected to graduate at the end of their senior year.
Academic Advancement for the School Year
- To enter into 10th grade, a student must have 60 units prior to the beginning of the first semester; 90 units prior to the beginning of the second semester.
- To enter into 11th grade, a student must have 120 units prior to the beginning of the first semester; 150 units prior to the beginning of the second semester.
- To enter into 12th grade, a student must have 180 units prior to the beginning of the first semester; 210 units prior to the beginning of the second semester.
