Thomas Jefferson
High School
Graduation Requirements
High school courses are semester-length and may be .5 or 1.0 credit. Scholars take one 1.0 credit class per semester to graduate in 4 years.
To complete in one semester, a 1.0 credit class requires approximately 7.5 hours per week or 90 minutes per day of work. A .5 credit class require approximately 5.5-6 hours per week or 60 minutes per day.
|
SUBJECT |
# OF CREDITS |
MUST INCLUDE |
|---|---|---|
|
English |
4 | |
| Math | 3 |
Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 or other 3rd credit of math* (4 years of math is highly recommended to increase post-secondary readiness) |
| Science | 3 |
Including at least 2 lab sciences, 3rd Science credit* (4 years of science is highly recommended to increase post-secondary readiness) |
| Social Studies | 4 |
1 US History & Government, 2 World History, 0.5 Civics, 0.5 Current World Problems |
| Health & Physical Education (Fitness) | 2 |
0.5 Health and 1.5 Fitness Scholars must earn credit for physical education unless excused by RCW 28A.230.050 |
| Career & Technical Education (CTE) | 1 | May be an Occupational Education course that meets the definition of an exploratory course as described in CTE program standards |
| Arts | 2** |
Performing or Visual Arts 1 credit may be a Personalized Pathway Requirement (PPR)* |
|
World Language or Personalized Pathway Courses** |
2** | Both credits may be PPR* |
| Electives | 5 | |
| TOTAL Credits Required | 26 |
*The third credit of science and the third credit of math are chosen by the scholar based on the scholar's interest and High School & Beyond Plan, and approved by the parent or guardian, or if the parent or guardian is unavailable or does not indicate a preference, the school counselor or principal (WAC 180-51-068)
** Personalized Pathway Requirements are related courses that lead to a specific, post-high school career or educational outcome chosen by the scholar based on personal interest and High School & Beyond Plan. They may include Career & Technical Education and are intended to provide a focus for the scholar’s learning.
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | |
|---|---|
| High School & Beyond Plan |
Includes:
|
| Washington State History and Government | |
| Graduation Pathway Options | See chart on page 13 of the 2024-25 Course Catalog |
| GRADUATION PATHWAY OPTIONS |
|---|
| AP/IB/Cambridge Courses or Exams in English Language Arts (ELA) and/or Math |
| ASVAB Score |
| Combination of ELA and Math option from any listed above |
| Complete sequence of CTE courses which includes the potential |
| Earn College Credit in ELA and/or Math Transition Course in ELA and/or Math |
| SAT or ACT scores on ELA and/or Math sections |
| Smarter Balanced ELA Test or state approved alternative |
| Smarter Balanced Math Test or state approved alternative |
Competency Based Credits
Competency based credits may be earned for World Language:
-
Max of 4 World Language credits may be awarded through OSPI's Competency Based Credit testing process.
-
To earn competency credits in World Language, students will need to demonstrate proficiency in all four domains of language as aligned with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Levels:
-
Speaking
-
Listening
-
Reading
-
Writing
-
-
STAMP and ALTA Assessments are used to measure a scholar's content competency within a world language.
-
Students may be awarded one or more credits based on their demonstrated proficiency according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines
-
Credit received will be based on the lowest skill score, since it represents their highest level of proficiency across all four domains of language.
-
Assessments will vary by language.