Graduation Requirements

Class of 2027 and beyond

High school graduates must fulfill the following requirements to receive a high school diploma. Set by the Washington State Board of Education and the CVSD Board of Directors (POLICY 2410 and PROCEDURE 2410AP), these requirements help ensure graduates have a solid foundation of skills and knowledge to be prepared for the next steps in life.

1. Earn 24 Class Credits

Students attending all district high schools must pass 24 credits in specified subject areas. For most courses, one-half credit is awarded for each successfully completed course.

2. Meet State Graduation Pathway Requirements

Students have multiple pathways to graduate. Each pathway option a student uses to meet the graduation pathway requirement must align with the student's High School and Beyond Plan. Here is a brief description of each pathway. For a detailed description, go to Graduation Pathway Options | SBE

Graduation Pathway Options (Brief Description)

Students must attempt the Smarter-Balanced English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics assessments and complete at least one of the following:

State Assessment: Meet or exceed the graduation scores in the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics or in WA-AIM (Washington Access to Instruction & Measurement).
Dual Credit: Earn at least one high school credit in ELA and at least one high school credit in math in dual credit courses (Running Start, College in the High School, and/or Career and Technical Education dual credit courses).
AP/IB/Cambridge: For both ELA and math, earn a 3 or higher on certain Advanced Placement (AP) exams or a 4 or higher on certain International Baccalaureate (IB) exams or an E on certain Cambridge International exams, or pass the course with at least a C+.
SAT/ACT: Meet or exceed the graduation scores set by SBE in the math and ELA portions of the SAT or ACT.
Transition Course: Pass a transition course in ELA and math (for example, a Bridge to College course), which allows a student to place directly into a credit-bearing college level course.

Combination: Meet any combination of at least one ELA and one math option of those options listed.
ASVAB: Meet standard on the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) by scoring at least the minimum established by the military for eligibility to serve in a branch of the armed services.*
CTE Sequence: Complete a sequence of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses.*

*Note: Students who pursue these pathways (ASVAB or CTE) do not need to meet English and math requirements separately. English and math content are embedded in both pathways—and a student who meets either the ASVAB standard or the CTE pathway requirements has met the graduation pathway requirement.

3. Complete a High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP)

Students must detail plans for meeting graduation requirements and the first year following high school completion. The plan is intended to help students identify post-secondary paths such as education, military, travel and work by thinking about their future and providing motivation for their current work. The plan is updated throughout the student's high school years. CVSD will transition to the state's OSPI platform for HSBP: SchooLinks. This comprehensive platform will support students in career and college exploration, enhancing student readiness for life after high school. For more information regarding this platform, please visit www.cvsd.org/SchooLinks or contact your student's school administrator or counselor.

All requirements are subject to changes implemented by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Visit www.K12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements for the most current information.

Students hugging at a graduation ceremony

Decorated graduation hat with "shine bright" written on the top.

University High School graduates walking down a hall