The Center School

Counseling

Graduation Requirements

SPS Academic Graduation Requirements

24-Credit Requirement

  • Language Arts – 4.0
  • Math – 3.0
  • Science – 3.0
  • World History – 1.5
  • US History – 1.0
  • American Government – 0.5
  • P.E. 1.5
  • Health 0.5
  • CTE 1.0
  • Fine Arts 1.0
  • *Personal Pathway Requirement (PPR) electives 3.0
  • Electives 4.0
  • Total 24.0

Additional Graduation Requirements

  • 60 hours of Community Service Learning
  • High School + Plan
  • Graduation Pathway
  • Washington State History (usually completed in 8th grade)

*PPR (Personal Pathway Requirement)

Courses that lead to a specific post-high school career or educational outcome are chosen by the student based on the students’ interests and High School Beyond Plan.4 World Languages are recommended for students planning on attending a 2 or 4-year college or university for admissions purposes

High School and Beyond Plan

Seattle Public Schools uses Naviance to support our Advisory and High School and Beyond Plan programs. If families choose not to use this tool, their students will be given an alternative activity to meet the high school and beyond plan graduation requirements.

Learn more about Naviance.


Graduation Pathways

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature provided students with multiple pathways to graduation by passing House Bill (HB) 1599.

HB 1599 expands the ways Washington students show their readiness for their next step after high school.

Building off a robust plan (High School and Beyond Plan) and quality instruction across core academic areas, completing a graduation pathway helps prepare students for what comes after high school graduation. It also signals to employers and post-secondary education/training institutions a student’s readiness for that step.

With questions, please contact OSPI staff at graduation.pathways@k12.wa.us.

Below are the essentials of what a student needs to accomplish to “meet” each graduation pathway.

Visit the OSPI website for more information about Graduation Pathways.

  • Complete 2.0 or more credits that either include a dual credit course or lead to an industry recognized credential
  • Complete a Core Plus program

Can use any combination of the ELA and math options listed in this section.

  • ACT (ELA = 14; math = 16) or SAT (ELA = 410; math = 430)
  • Dual credit courses (1.0 credit total):
    • AP/IB/Cambridge: Earn a C+ in state-approved course (each term)
    • CTE Dual Credit (must earn high school credit)
    • College in the High School or Running Start courses (local approval)
  • Dual credit exams (for state-approved courses):
    • AP = 3+
    • Cambridge = E or better
    • IB = 4+
  • State assessments:
    • Smarter Balanced: ELA = 2548; math = 2595
    • WA-AIM: ELA = 104; math = 103
  • Transition courses (1.0 credit total):
    • Bridge to College courses have state-level approval
    • Local articulation agreements between districts and sponsoring colleges