Graduation Requirements

The information on this page has been updated for the 2020-21 school year. Please see the 2019-20 Valley and Valley Southwoods course description catalogs if needed.

To graduate from Valley High School, you must have a minimum of 48 credits, including 4 P.E. credits. The specific requirements are as follows:

English and Language Arts

Total required credits: 8

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

Total required credits: 1

Fine Arts elective  Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12

Areas: Art, Drama, Music

Mathematics

Total required credits: 6, including algebra, Geometry, and algebra II

Mathematics electives Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12
  • Eighth-Grade Algebra I C and/or Geometry C must be taken for high school credit.

Physical Education

Total required credits: 4, earning half credit per semester, which includes all students completing a CPR course that consist of components that could lead to CPR certification

  • All students will be required to obtain credit in P.E. during each semester of attendance as a requirement for graduation. Exemptions will be granted in accordance with law and policy.

Science—beginning with the graduating class of 2021

Total required credits: 6

General Science or Biology Grade 9 2 credits
Science elective Grades 10, 11, or 12 4 credits

Science—beginning with the graduating class of 2023

Total required credits: 6

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

Total required credits: 6

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.