
- Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- Option A /Traditional Diploma
- Option B/Workforce Pathway
- Academic Endorsements
- Honor Graduate Requirements
- Graduation Requirements Checklist
Option A /Traditional Diploma
Option A/Traditional Diploma Requirements
English Language Arts: 4 Credits
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English 9, 10, 11, 12, or Honors/AP/Dual equivalent
Mathematics: 4 Credits
Standard (Regular 7/8 Grade Math)
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Standard
- Geometry with Data Analysis
- Algebra I with Probability
- Algebra II with Statistics
- 1 additional math course
Honors (Accelerated 7/8 Grade Math)
- Geometry with Data Analysis
- Algebra II with Statistics
- 2 additional math courses
Science: 4 Credits
- Biology
- Physical Science (Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics)
- Plus 2 additional science courses
Social Studies: 4 Credits
- World History
- US History 10
- US History 11
- Government/Economics or Honors/AP/Dual equivalent
Physical Education: 1 Credit
- Beginning Kinesiology
- OR equivalent (Marching Band, JROTC, Varsity Sport)
Health Education: .5 Credit
- Health Education
Career Preparedness: 1 Credit
- Career Preparedness
Career Tech and/or World Language and/or Fine Arts: 3 Credits
- Students are required to complete 3 credits from any one or a combination of CTE, Fine Arts, and/or World Language.
- Students are encouraged to complete two courses in sequence.
Electives: 4.5 Credits
- Any other state or locally approved elective courses
26 TOTAL MINIMUM CREDITS FOR GRADUATION
Additional Graduation Requirements:
In addition to completing the required curriculum above, the Alabama State Department of Education graduation requirements include:
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All students must successfully pass the Alabama Civics Exam as a required component of the Government course in the high school course of study.
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After October 1st of the senior year, students must complete and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the FAFSA Non-Participation Waiver.
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Each senior must meet College and Career Readiness (CCR) as set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education. Students must earn one or more of the College and Career Readiness Indicators (CCRI) below.
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ACT BENCHMARK SCORE Benchmark or higher on any section of the ACT College Entrance Exam: English - 18 Reading - 22 Math - 22 Science - 23
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BENCHMARK ON ACT WORKKEYS Earning a Silver (4 or higher) score on all areas of the ACT WorkKeys assessment, including Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
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QUALIFYING SCORE ON AP EXAM OR IB EXAM Earning a qualifying score of three or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam or four or higher on an International Baccalaureate exam.
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COLLEGE OR POSTSECONDARY CREDIT Earning a college credit while in high school with a minimum grade of “D”.
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CTE CREDENTIAL Earn an approved industry-recognized credential through a declared Career and Technical Education Program.
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MILITARY ENLISTMENT Enlistment in any branch of the Military before high school graduation. An official letter of acceptance from a Military Recruiter is required.
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CTE COMPLETER Attain Career and Technical Education Completer Status by successfully completing three courses in the same CTE pathway, earning a 70 or higher in all three courses.
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APPRENTICESHIP Participate in an approved In-School Youth Apprenticeship Program as defined by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.
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COMPUTER SCIENCE Complete an ALSDE-Approved Computer Science course.
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Any additional College and Career Readiness Indicator approved by the Alabama State Board of Education.
4. Beginning with the Class of 2028, students must successfully complete a Personal Financial Literacy Assessment as a required component of the Career Preparedness course in the high school course of study.
5. Beginning with the Class of 2032, students must earn one credit in a Computer Science course.
Option B/Workforce Pathway
Option B/Workforce Diploma Requirements
English Language Arts: 4 Credits
-
English 9, 10, 11, 12, or Honors/AP/Dual equivalent
Mathematics: 2 Credits
Standard (Regular 7/8 Grade Math)
- Geometry with Data Analysis
- Algebra I with Probability
Honors (Accelerated 7/8 Math)
- Geometry with Data Analysis
- Algebra II with Statistics
Science: 2 Credits
- Biology
- Physical Science (Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics)
Social Studies: 4 Credits
- World History
- US History 10
- US History 11
- Government/Economics or Honors/AP/Dual equivalent
Physical Education: 1 Credit
- Beginning Kinesiology
- OR equivalent (Marching Band, JROTC, Varsity Sport)
Health Education: .5 Credit
- Health Education
Career Preparedness: 1 Credit
- Career Preparedness
Career and Technical Education: 3 Credits
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Credits must be earned from an approved CTE Program of Study, resulting in CTE Completer status.
Electives: 8.5 Credits
- Any other state or locally approved elective courses
26 TOTAL MINIMUM CREDITS FOR GRADUATION
Additional Graduation Requirements
In addition to completing the required curriculum above, the Alabama State Department of Education graduation requirements include:
-
All students must successfully pass the Alabama Civics Exam as a required component of the Government course in the high school course of study.
-
After October 1st of the senior year, students must complete and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the FAFSA Non-Participation Waiver.
-
Each senior must meet College and Career Readiness (CCR) as set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education. Students must earn one or more of the College and Career Readiness Indicators (CCRI) below.
-
ACT BENCHMARK SCORE Benchmark or higher on any section of the ACT College Entrance Exam: English - 18 Reading - 22 Math - 22 Science - 23
-
BENCHMARK ON ACT WORKKEYS Earning a Silver (4 or higher) score on all areas of the ACT WorkKeys assessment, including Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.
-
QUALIFYING SCORE ON AP EXAM OR IB EXAM Earning a qualifying score of three or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam or four or higher on an International Baccalaureate exam.
-
COLLEGE OR POSTSECONDARY CREDIT Earning a college credit while in high school with a minimum grade of “D”.
-
CTE CREDENTIAL Earn an approved industry-recognized credential through a declared Career and Technical Education Program.
-
MILITARY ENLISTMENT Enlistment in any branch of the Military before high school graduation. An official letter of acceptance from a Military Recruiter is required.
-
CTE COMPLETER Attain Career and Technical Education Completer Status by successfully completing three courses in the same CTE pathway, earning a 70 or higher in all three courses.
-
APPRENTICESHIP Participate in an approved In-School Youth Apprenticeship Program as defined by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.
-
COMPUTER SCIENCE Complete an ALSDE-Approved Computer Science course.
-
Any additional College and Career Readiness Indicator approved by the Alabama State Board of Education.
4. Beginning with the Class of 2028, students must successfully complete a Personal Financial Literacy Assessment as a required component of the Career Preparedness course in the high school course of study.
5. Beginning with the Class of 2032, students must earn one credit in a Computer Science course.
Academic Endorsements
Academic Endorsements
CLASS OF 2027-2029 (rising 10th - 12 graders)
Honors Distinction
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Two World Language credits (in sequence)
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Six Honors credits
AP Distinction
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Two (2) World Language credits (in sequence)
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Six (6) Honors credits
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Three of these credits must be Advanced Placement credits
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CLASS OF 2030 and Beyond (rising 9th graders)
Scholars Endorsement
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Sixteen (16) Honors credits minimum Honors/AP/Dual
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Three (3) of these credits must be Advanced Placement credits
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Two (2) World Language credits (in sequence)
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4.0 GPA
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Complete all other course requirements of the Alabama diploma
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This endorsement meets Honor Graduate requirements
Advanced Academic Endorsement
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Sixteen (16) Honors credits minimum Honors/AP/Dual
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Two (2) World Language credits (in sequence)
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4.0 GPA
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Complete all other course requirements of the Alabama diploma
Honors Academic Endorsement
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Twelve (12) Honors credits minimum Honors/AP/Dual
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Two (2) World Language credits (in sequence)
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3.5-4.0 GPA
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Complete all other course requirements of the Alabama diploma
Honors Specialty Endorsement
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Eight (8) Honors credits minimum Honors/AP/Dual
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Three (3) credits in any of the following pathways/specialities (in sequence)
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World Language
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Chorus
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Band
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Visual Arts
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Varsity Sports
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CTE Pathway
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3.5-4.0 GPA
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Complete all other course requirements of the Alabama diploma
Career and Technical Education Endorsement
- Three (3) Career and Technical Education credits in an established CTE pathway (in sequence)
- Complete all other course requirements of the Alabama diploma
Seal of Biliteracy
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Demonstrate proficiency in one of the English language proficiency in one for the following areas:
English Language Proficiency Criteria Options
- ACT English: A score of 18 or higher.
- ACT Reading: A score of 20 or higher.
- Advanced Placement Language Examination: A score of three (3) or higher.
- WIDA ACCESS 2.0: For non-native English speakers, the student shall meet and maintain Alabama exit criteria in English proficiency. A composite score of Level 4.8 or higher.
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Demonstrate proficiency in one or more World Languages other than English through one of the World Language Proficiency Options:
World Language Proficiency Criteria Options
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The Advanced Placement Language Examination: A score of three (3) or higher.
- American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages: An Intermediate Mid-3 or higher score in all four components.
- American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language Oral Proficiency Interview Writing Proficiency Test: A score of intermediate mid-level.
- American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language Latin Interpretive Reading Assessment: A score of intermediate Mid-Level Three (3) or higher.
3. Complete all other course requirements of the Alabama diploma.
Honor Graduate Requirements
CLASS OF 2027-2029 (rising 10th -12 graders)
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All 12th-grade students with an overall GPA of 4.0 or above who have earned the Advanced Diploma at Athens High School will be designated Honor Graduates and have a ranking of #1 in class. No Valedictorian or Salutatorian will be named.
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Athens High School will determine how to recognize these Honor Graduates at the commencement ceremony.
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The individual(s) who will make commencement remarks at the graduation ceremony will be selected from the pool of Honor Graduates by the principal with input from the senior counselor, senior sponsor(s), and honor graduates.
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In the event that no student in the graduating class has a GPA of 4.0 or higher, up to the top 10% of students (with a 3.75 or higher GPA) may be designated as Honor Graduates.
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The rank of the next student below those designated as Honor Graduates should be determined by the total number of students whose average exceeded his/hers. For example, if three students in a class of 100 students are designated as Honor Graduates, each holds a rank of 1/100. The next holds a rank of 4/100.
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In order to be considered for the designation of Honor Graduate, a student must be enrolled in Athens High School where this designation is made for the entire senior year.
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Final determination (grade point average) will be made at the end of the first nine-week grading period of the second semester (block schedule) of the senior year.
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Final determination of both numerical and standard grade point averages will be carried three (3) decimal places, with no “rounding”. The system will be based on the ACS Secondary Grade Point Average (GPA) Scale.
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A minimum number of twenty-eight (28) courses must be attempted and counted in determining GPA. Full credit courses will be multiplied by 1.0. One-half credit courses will be multiplied by .5 for determining overall GPA.
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Any extraordinary situation or circumstance that may arise will be resolved by the school principal in consultation with the superintendent.
CLASS OF 2030 AND BEYOND (rising 9th graders)
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All 12th-grade students with an overall GPA of 4.0 or above who have earned the Scholar’s Endorsement at Athens High School will be designated Honor Graduates and have a ranking of #1 in class. No Valedictorian or Salutatorian will be named.
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Athens High School will determine how to recognize these Honor Graduates at the commencement ceremony.
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The individual(s) who will make commencement remarks at the graduation ceremony will be selected from the pool of Honor Graduates by the principal with input from the senior counselor, senior sponsor(s), and honor graduates.
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In the event that no student in the graduating class has earned a Scholar’s Endorsement and achieved a 4.0 or higher, students who have earned the Advanced Academic Endorsement and a GPA of 4.0 or higher may be designated as honor graduates. In the event that no student in the graduating class has earned either Scholar’s Endorsement or Advanced Academic Endorsement and a GPA of 4.0, then students earning an Honors Academic Endorsement and a GPA of 4.0 may be designated as Honor Graduates.
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The rank of the next student below those designated as Honor Graduates should be determined by the total number of students whose average exceeded his/hers. For example, if three students in a class of 100 are designated Honor Graduates, each holds a rank of 1/100. The next holds a rank of 4/100.
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To be considered for the Honor Graduate designation, a student must be enrolled at Athens High School, where this designation is awarded for the entire senior year.
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Final determination (Grade Point Average) will be made at the end of the first nine-week grading period of the second semester (block schedule) of the senior year.
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Final determination of both the numerical and standard Grade Point Averages will be carried to three (3) decimal places, with no rounding. This system will be based on the ACS Secondary Grade Point Average Scale.
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A minimum of twenty-eight (28) courses must be attempted and counted in determining the GPA. Full credit courses will be multiplied by 1.0. One-half credit courses will be multiplied by 0.5 for determining the overall GPA.
- Any extraordinary situation or circumstance that may arise will be resolved by the school principal in consultation with the superintendent.

