High School Graduation Requirements
Aspiring Heights Academy follows the same curriculum requirements for a standard high school diploma as specified in Florida Statute 1003.4282 except that we do not require participation in statewide assessments since these were created to meet federal and state assessment accountability requirements for Florida public schools. Students enrolled in our diploma program must pass the required courses, earn a minimum of 24 credits, and earn a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to graduate from our school. Courses, credits, and grades must be documented on official transcripts or validated through portfolio reviews. (See also Alternative Ways to Earn High School Credits.)
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements are based on the school year in which a student first enters grade nine. Note that world language credits are not required for a standard 24-credit high school diploma, but they are required for admission into state universities and to meet the basic academic requirements for a Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) or Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) Bright Futures Scholarship. Also note that to qualify for a FAS or FMS award, English courses must include substantial writing, math courses must be at or above the Algebra 1 level, and two of the three natural science courses must have substantial laboratory components.
Graduation Requirements for Students Entering Grade Nine Between the 2013-2014 School Year and the 2022-2023 School Year
General Requirements for a Standard 24-Credit High School Diploma | ||
---|---|---|
Credits | Subject | Requirements |
4 | English Language Arts | ELA 1, 2, 3, and 4, or equivalent |
4 | Mathematics | One credit must be Algebra 1; One credit must be Geometry |
3 | Natural Science | One credit must be Biology 1; Two credits must be equally rigorous; Two credits must include a laboratory component |
3 | Social Science | One credit in World History; One credit in U.S. History; One-half credit in U.S Government; One-half credit in Economics |
1 | Fine or Performing Arts, Speech and Debate, or Practical Arts | Eligible courses are specified in the Course Code Directory |
1 | Physical Education (to include the integration of health) | One credit in HOPE or one-half credit in Personal Fitness and one-half credit in a physical education elective |
8 | Electives | Two sequential credits in the same world language or American Sign Language recommended |
Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale |
Graduation Requirements for Students Entering Grade Nine in the 2023-2024 School Year and Thereafter
General Requirements for a Standard 24-Credit High School Diploma | ||
---|---|---|
Credits | Subject | Requirements |
4 | English Language Arts | ELA 1, 2, 3, and 4, or equivalent |
4 | Mathematics | One credit must be Algebra 1; One credit must be Geometry |
3 | Natural Science | One credit must be Biology 1; Two credits must be equally rigorous; Two credits must include a laboratory component |
3 | Social Science | One credit in World History; One credit in U.S. History; One-half credit in U.S Government; One-half credit in Economics |
1 | Fine or Performing Arts, Speech and Debate, or Practical Arts | Eligible courses are specified in the Course Code Directory |
1 | Physical Education (to include the integration of health) | One credit in HOPE or one-half credit in Personal Fitness and one-half credit in a physical education elective |
0.5 | Personal Financial Literacy | Must include discussion of or instruction in the content specified in F.S. 1003.4282(3)(h) |
7.5 | Electives | Two sequential credits in the same world language or American Sign Language recommended |
Achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale |
Definition of Credit
Students must meet the minimum hourly requirements to receive high school credit. A high school credit, as defined in Florida Statute 1003.436, is a minimum of 135 hours of bona fide instruction in a designated course of study that contains student performance standards. One-half credit is one-half the requirements for one credit.
Repeated Courses
Courses may be repeated to improve comprehension and understanding, improve grade point average, or make up failing grades. Please see FLVS Flex - Policies & Procedures for information on repeating courses at FLVS as specific rules apply. Repeated courses are managed at AHA as follows:
- A course passed with a grade C or higher during high school may be repeated to improve comprehension and understanding or improve grade point average. Both the original course grade and the repeated course grade are included in the calculation of the student’s grade point average. Student will receive credit toward graduation for the attempt with the highest grade earned.
- A required course with a grade D or F may be repeated to improve grade point average or make up the failing grade. Grade forgiveness for required courses is limited to replacing a grade D or F with a grade C or higher earned subsequently in the same or comparable course. Only the new grade is used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
- An elective course with a grade D or F may be repeated to improve grade point average or make up the failing grade. Grade forgiveness for an elective course is limited to replacing a grade D or F with a grade C or higher earned subsequently in another elective course. Only the new grade is used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
- A high school level course taken during the middle grades for high school credit with a grade C, D, or F may be repeated to improve grade point average or make up the failing grade. Grade forgiveness for a high school level course taken during the middle grades for high school credit is limited to replacing a grade C, D, or F with a grade C or higher earned subsequently in the same or comparable course. Only the new grade is used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
In all cases, all courses and grades are included on the student’s transcript. Student will receive credit toward graduation only one time for a repeated course. For additional information, see our Official Transcripts page.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
The cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing all quality points earned during high school by the total number of credits attempted during high school. Quality points are assigned per credit as follows:
Grade | Quality Point Value | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Letter | Numeric | Unweighted | Weighted (Honors, PRE-AICE) | Weighted (AP, IB, AICE, DE) |
A | 90–100 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
B | 80–89 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
C | 70–79 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
D | 60–69 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
Please see our transcript information page for additional details. |
A Few Resources
For guidance in high school planning, take a look at our short list of comprehensive resources. We also have a few printable planners and organizers that you may find helpful.
We recommend you keep a portfolio of your student's high school coursework. Many colleges and universities require applicants who complete a home school program or graduate from a non-accredited high school to submit portfolios and/or transcripts to be considered for admission. The acceptance of diplomas and transcripts from private schools is subject to the requirements of the receiving institution.
Students who have met the credit requirements for graduation but have not achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may receive a high school Certificate of Completion. Note, however, that a high school Certificate of Completion does not carry any of the privileges of a high school diploma. Students earning a high school Certificate of Completion may have difficulty finding employment and getting into college.
Florida public schools have specific high school course credit and assessment requirements. It is important that you are aware of the public high school graduation requirements should your student enter or return to a Florida public school. Please visit the Florida Department of Education for information about public high school graduation requirements. Graduation requirements are also outlined in Florida Statute 1003.4282.