Graduation Requirements
THE INFORMATION in this section HAS BEEN UPDATED FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR. PLEASE SEE THE 2020-21 COURSE DESCRIPTION CATALOG IF NEEDED.
To graduate from Valley High School, you must have a minimum of 48 credits, including 4 P.E. credits. One credit of physical education will be taken each year of high school. The specific requirements are as follows:
Language and Literature |
Grade 9 |
2 credits |
Speech Communication |
Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 |
1 credit |
Fundamentals of Writing |
Grades 10, 11, or 12 |
1 credit |
Language Arts elective |
Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 |
3 credits |
Literature course |
Grades 10, 11, or 12 |
1 credit |
- Accelerated Literature & Composition/Fundamentals of Writing (2 credits) fulfills the ninth grade Language & Literature requirement and the 10th grade Fundamentals of Writing; students must meet entrance criteria.
- Debate I/Public Speaking (2 credit courses) fulfills the Speech Communication graduation requirement and the Language Arts elective.
- Speech Composition (2 credits) fulfills the Speech requirement and the Fundamentals of Writing requirement.
- Students need to verify Valley course selection to ensure that they meet Language Arts requirements for their post-secondary school of choice.
Fine Arts elective |
Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 |
Areas: Art, Drama, Music
Mathematics electives |
Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 |
- Eighth-Grade Algebra I C and/or Geometry C must be taken for high school credit.
- All students will be required to obtain credit in P.E. during each school year of attendance as a requirement for graduation. Exemptions will be granted in accordance with law and policy.
General Science or Biology |
Grade 9 |
2 credits |
Science elective |
Grades 10, 11, or 12 |
4 credits |
Physical Science |
Grade 9 |
2 credits |
Biology |
Grade 10 |
2 credits |
Chemistry |
Grades 11 or 12 |
2 credits |
- Advanced Physical Science fulfill the Physical Science requirement
Social Studies electives |
Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 |
2 credits |
U.S. History or American Heritage |
Grade 11 |
2 credits |
Economics |
Grade 11 or 12 |
1 credit |
Government |
Grade 12 |
1 credit |
Unique Programs and Courses—beginning with the graduating class of 2024
Total required credits: 1
Health |
Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 |
1 credit |
Early Graduation
Students intending to graduate prior to eight semesters of attendance MUST have the early graduation form completed and to their counselor six weeks prior to the end of their last semester of attendance. No early graduation requests will be approved after that date.