Graduation Requirements
Students must earn a total of 230 credits to graduate and receive a diploma from Pacifica High School. This page contains two (2) different charts to explain how requirements and credits work:
- Chart 1 shows the number of required credits students must earn in any given subject area to meet graduation requirements compared to A-G university admission requirements. It also shows how requirements differ between the Class of 2023 and the Class of 2024.
- Chart 2 shows the possible number of credits students can earn in a traditional semester system.
For any students who plan to apply to a four-year university during the fall semester of their senior year, please remember, high school graduation requirements differ from A-G University admissions requirements. Please visit the University of California A-G Subject requirement page for detailed information. Also, please ensure your courses are A-G approved by checking the official UC A-G high school articulation list. Make sure you click on the correct tab to select the year you took or plan to take the course.
Read the detailed OUHSD Board Policy for graduation requirements.
High School Graduation Requirements
Students must earn grades of "D" or better to qualify for a high school diploma and grades of "C" or better to qualify for university admissions.
The University of California (UC) system and many private colleges require grades of "B" or better to meet minimum admissions requirements.
Community colleges do not have minimum grade requirements.
| Class of 2023 | A-G University Admissions | Class of 2024 & Later |
|---|---|---|
| A. Social Science 35 Credits - 5 Geography -10 World Civilization -10 US History -5 Government -5 Economics |
A. Social Science 20 Credits (2 Years) -10 Credits (1 Year) of World Civilization or European History -10 Credits (1 Year) of US History or 5 Credits (1/2 Year) of US History & 5 Credits (1/2 Year) of American Government |
A. Social Science 35 Credits - 5 Ethnic Studies -10 World Civilization -10 US History -5 Government -5 Economics |
| B. English 40 Credits |
B. English 40 Credits (4 Years) |
B. English 40 Credits |
| C. Mathematics 30 Credits -5 of the 30 Credits Must Include: -Math 1 (Second Term) or -Math 2 or -Any Level Higher Than Math 2 |
C. Mathematics 30 Credits (3 Years)* *4 Years Recommended Courses Must Include: -Elementary & Advanced Algebra and -Two & Three Dimensional Geometry |
C. Mathematics 30 Credits -5 of the 30 Credits Must Include: -Math 1 (Second Term) or -Math 2 or -Any Level Higher Than Math 2 |
| D. Science 20 Credits -10 Life Science -10 Physical Science |
D. Science 20 Credits (2 Years)* *3 Years Recommended -10 Credits (1 Year) Life Science -10 Credits (1 Year) Physical Science |
D. Science 30 Credits -10 Life Science -10 Physical Science -10 Other |
| E. World Language, or Visual & Performing Arts, or Career Technical Education (CTE) 20 Credits |
E. World Language 20 Credits (2 Consecutive Years)* *3 Consecutive Years Recommended |
E. World Language, or CTE Pathway Completion 20 Credits |
| F. Visual & Performing Arts Credits Included in "E" Requirement Above | F. Visual & Performing Arts 10 Credits |
F. Visual & Performing Arts 10 Credits |
| G. Electives 60 Credits Any OUHSD Course |
G. College Preparatory Elective Check Pacifica High School G-Approved Courses (Make sure you click on the tab for the correct year you took or plan to take the course) |
G. Electives 40 Credits Any OUHSD Course |
| Physical Education (PE) 20 Credits |
Physical Education (PE) |
Physical Education (PE) 20 Credits |
| Health 5 Credits |
Depending on the year, Health might count towards 1 semester of the G-Requirement | Health 5 Credits |
| 230 Total Credits | 230 Total Credits |
Earning HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CREDITS
The number of classes a student takes and passes with a grade of "D" or better will determine the number of credits a student earns. The following chart shows the number of credits students can earn in a semester system.
TRADITIONAL SEMESTER SYSTEM
Each class in a semester is worth 5 credits.
6 classes X 5 credits each = 30 Credits
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Total Credits per Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Classes per Semester | 30 Credits | 30 Credits | 60 Credits |