For more information, please visit the graduation requirements and course planning page, which includes more detailed information and tutorials about diploma types and graduation requirements.

Standard Diploma

22 CREDIT DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

The requirements for a student to earn a diploma shall be those in effect when the student enters the 9th grade for the first time.

The following applies to students who enter 9th grade in 2018-2019 and beyond.

To graduate from high school, students shall meet the minimum requirements for the Standard Diploma as outlined below, including 22 standard credits, 5 of which must be verified credits. A standard credit is earned when a student passes a course. A verified credit is earned when a student passes a course and either the associated end-of-course SOL test or an authentic performance assessment in the areas of history and social sciences and English (writing).  In some cases, students may utilize substitute tests, certifications, or the appeal process to earn verified credits. State guidelines prescribe the number of verified credits required for graduation for students entering a Virginia public high school for the first time during the tenth grade or after.  Students with disabilities may have the opportunity to use credit accommodations to earn a Standard Diploma. Students must be found eligible for these accommodations.  Consult your school counselor for specific information.

Students receive credit toward graduation for high school courses taken and passed in middle school. These courses count toward credits in the required sequences as well as toward the total number of credits required for graduation and calculation of the grade point average (GPA). Middle school parents may request that grades for any high school credit-bearing course taken in the middle school be removed from the student’s high school transcript, and therefore the student will not earn high school credit for the course. In addition, the student will not be eligible for a verified credit in any course which has been removed from the transcript. The request to remove a course from the transcript must be made in writing to the middle or high school the student will attend the following year, prior to the end of the first nine weeks of school.  See the current version of FCPS Regulation 2408.

Standard Diploma Course Requirements (8 VAC 20-131-51)

_{¹Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses as approved by the Board.  The Board of Education (Board) shall approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.
² Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least two different science disciplines:  earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics; or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma and shall include interdisciplinary courses which incorporate SOL content from multiple academic areas. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement. AP/IB Computer Science A and IB Computer Science SL/HL can be used to meet a science graduation credit for standard or advanced diplomas; however, it cannot be counted towards the science discipline requirement.
³ Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and either World History/Geography I or World History/Geography II.  AP World History satisfies the requirement for World History/Geography II.
⁴  Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives as required by the Standards of  Quality.
⁵ Students who complete a career and technical education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association, or acquires a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for a laboratory science verified credit.  The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the Board as an additional test to verify student achievement.
⁶ Pursuant to Section 22.1-253.13:4, Code of Virginia, credits earned for this requirement shall include one credit in fine or performing arts or career and technical education.
⁷ Students shall either complete an Advanced Placement, advanced, Dual Enrollment,  honors, or International Baccalaureate course; or complete a high-quality work-based learning experience, as established by Board guidance on work-based learning; or earn a career and technical education credential approved by the Board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to satisfy the standard diploma requirements. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), or the Virginia workplace readiness assessment. 
⁸ Students are required to be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators, including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
⁹ Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a noncredit-bearing course or elective credit bearing course that is offered online.
¹⁰ Students shall acquire and demonstrate foundational skills in critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship in accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate approved by the Board.}

Advanced Studies Diploma

26 Credit Diploma Requirements for Graduation

Note: The requirements for a student to earn a diploma shall be those in effect when the student enters the 9th grade for the first time. The following applies to students who enter 9th grade 2018-2019 and beyond.

To graduate from high school with an Advanced Studies Diploma, students shall meet the minimum requirements as outlined below which include 26 credits, 5 of which must be verified credits. A standard credit is earned when a student passes a course.  A verified credit is earned when a student passes a course and either the associated end-of-course SOL test or an authentic performance assessment in the areas of history and social sciences and English (writing). In some cases, students may utilize substitute tests, certifications, or the appeal process to earn verified credits. State guidelines prescribe the number of verified credits required for graduation for students entering a Virginia public high school for the first time during the tenth grade or after. Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) disabilities may have the opportunity to use credit accommodations to earn an Advanced Studies Diploma.  Students must be found eligible for these accommodations. Consult your school counselor for specific information.

Students receive credit toward graduation for high school courses taken and passed in middle school.  These courses count toward credits in the required sequences as well as toward the total number of credits required for graduation and calculation of the grade point average (GPA). Middle school parents may request that grades for any high school credit-bearing course taken in the middle school be removed from the student’s high school transcript, and therefore the student will not earn high school credit for the course. In addition, the student will not be eligible for a verified credit in any course which has been removed from the transcript. The request to remove a course from the transcript must be made in writing to the middle or high school the student will attend the following year prior to the end of the first nine weeks of school. See the current version of FCPS Regulation 2408.

Advanced Studies Diploma Course Requirements (8 VAC 20-131-50)

_{¹Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include at least three different course selections from among Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II. The Board of Education (Board) shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement.
²Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics; or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma and shall include interdisciplinary courses which incorporate SOL content from multiple academic areas. The Board shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement. AP/IB Computer Science A and IB Computer Science SL/HL can be used to meet a science graduation credit for standard or advanced diplomas; however, it cannot be counted towards the science discipline requirement.
³Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and World History/Geography I and World History/Geography II.  AP World History satisfies the requirement for World History/Geography II.
⁴Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include three years of one language or two years of two languages.
⁵Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives as required by the Standards of  Quality.
⁶Students shall either complete an Advanced Placement, advanced, Dual Enrollment,  honors, or International Baccalaureate course; or complete a high-quality work-based learning experience, as established by Board guidance on work-based learning; or earn a career and technical education credential approved by the Board, except when a career and technical education credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to satisfy the advanced studies diploma requirements. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), or the Virginia workplace readiness assessment. 
⁷Students are required to be trained in emergency first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of automated external defibrillators, including hands-on practice of the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
⁸Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a noncredit-bearing course, or may be a course required to earn this diploma that is offered online.
⁹Students shall acquire and demonstrate foundational skills in critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship in accordance with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate approved by the Board.}

Applied Studies Diploma

Students with disabilities who complete the requirements for his/her IEP and do not meet the requirements for other diplomas shall be awarded an Applied Studies Diploma. Access additional information on the Applied Studies Diploma on Virginia's Department of Education website.

Contact the Office of Special Education Instruction at 571-423-4190 or the Office of Career and Transition Services at 571-423-4150 for additional information.