• Graduation Requirements

    Content Area

    Credits

    Requirements

    English

    4

    		 English I
    English II
    English III
    English IV

    Mathematics

    4

    		 Math 1
    Math 2
    Math 3
    An additional 4th math course aligned with the student's post-high plans.

    Science

    3

    		 Earth & Environmental Science
    Biology
    Chemistry or Physical Science or Physics

    Social Studies

    4

    Students entering high school beginning in the 2021-2022 school year and beyond:

    World History
    Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy  
    Economics and Personal Finance  
    American History  

    Students entering high school in 2020-2021:  

    World History
    A Founding Principles Course  
    Economics and Personal Finance  
    An American History Course    

    Students entering high school prior to 2020-2021:  

    World History
    The Founding Principles: Civics & Economics
    American History I
    American History II

    Note: US History AP and an additional Social Studies elective can replace American History I & II

    Health and PE

    1

    9th Grade Health and PE

    Career and Technical Education

    1

    One course from the Career and Technical Education Department

    Arts Education

    1

    One course from the Arts Department: Visual arts, Dance, Music, Theater

    Subtotal

    18

    These 18 credits are required for all students

    World Language

    (2)

    This is not an ACS graduation requirement; however, 2 credits (of the same language) are required for 4-year University admission.

    Other Courses

    8 or 10

    If a student plans to attend 4-year college/university, they will need 2 World Language credits and 8 additional credits.  Otherwise, they will need 10 additional credit to the 18 listed above. See Board Policy 3460.

    Total Credits

    28

    28 Credits to Graduate

     

    Grading Scale and Quality Points

    Letter Grade

    Numerical Range

    Quality Points

    A

    90-100

    4.0

    B

    80-89

    3.0

    C

    70-79

    2.0

    D

    60-69

    1.0

    F

    Less than 59

    0.0

    For students entering 9th grade in 2015-16 and later, Honors courses will receive an additional 0.5 quality points and Advanced Placement Courses (AP) will receive an additional 1.0 quality points.  For example, a B in Honors English II would earn 3.5 quality points and an A in AP US History would earn 5.0 quality points.