• 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

    		 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

     

    *Social Studies requirements for students entering high school beginning in the 2021-2022 school year and beyond will be as follows:

    1. World History
    2. Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy
    3. Economics and Personal Finance
    4. American History

    *Economics and Personal Finance is required for students who entered 9th grade in 2020-2021

    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.