Policy 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements/Standards of Proficiency
Series: 6000 - Instruction
Policy: 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements/Standards of Proficiency
Adopted: 02/19/1974
Last Revised: 07/15/2025
Last Reviewed: 07/15/2025
Download Policy 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements/Standards of Proficiency PDF (English)
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS/ STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY
The Board of Education desires to prepare all students to successfully complete the high school course of study and obtain a diploma that represents their educational achievement and increases their opportunities for postsecondary education and employment.
Students who complete and pass high school level course work prior to grade 9 may receive credits towards graduation. The following high school level coursework that may be completed prior to grade 9 includes an Integrated Math 1 course that meets or exceeds California state academic standards, an Integrated Math 2 course or a high school level World Language course.
Courses taken in Lodi USD middle schools that have the same course codes and requirements as high school courses may be granted high school credits toward graduation. Grades for such classes will not be counted toward high school grade point average.
Course Requirements
Students will complete, at a minimum, the following number of credits in the specified subjects. Each semester course earns five credits, and each year course earns ten credits.
Because the prescribed course of study may not accommodate the needs of some students, the Board shall provide alternative means for the completion of prescribed courses in accordance with law.
To obtain a high school diploma, students shall complete and pass the following courses in grades 9-12, with each course being one year unless otherwise specified:
For the Graduating Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 (9th grade entry Fall of 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
|
UC A-G Subject Areas
|
Courses |
Lodi USD Graduation Requirements |
|
A |
World History, US History, Government/Economics |
30 credits (3 years) |
|
B |
English (grade 9,10,11,12) |
40 credits (4 years) |
|
C |
Mathematics taken in Grades 9-12 Students shall complete at least one mathematics course that meets the state academic content standards for Algebra 1 or Integrated Mathematics 1. Students may complete such coursework prior to grade 9 provided they also complete two mathematics courses in grades 9-12. |
20 credits (2 years) |
|
D |
Science, with at least 1 course in physical science and 1 course in biological sciences |
20 credits (2 years) |
|
E or F |
Visual or Performing Arts, and/or World Languages, or Career Technical Education (CTE), including American Sign Language. To be counted towards meeting graduation requirements, a CTE course shall be aligned to the CTE model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the State Board of Education. |
10 credits (1 year) |
|
G
|
Electives |
80 credits |
|
|
9th Grade Only Board-approved 9th Grade Pathway courses include High School 101, Driver’s Ed, Health, Family Living, World Geography, AVID 9, and AP Human Geography |
10 credits |
|
|
Physical Education |
20 credits (2 years) unless otherwise exempted pursuant to other sections of the Education Code 51225.3 |
For the Graduating Class of 2030 (9th grade entry Fall of 2026)
|
UC A-G Subject Areas |
Courses |
Lodi USD Graduation Requirements |
|
A |
World History, US History, Government/Economics |
30 credits (3 years) |
|
B |
English (grade 9,10,11,12) |
40 credits (4 years) |
|
C |
Mathematics taken in Grades 9-12 Students shall complete at least one mathematics course that meets the state academic content standards for Algebra 1 or Mathematics 1. Students may complete such coursework prior to grade 9 provided they also complete two mathematics courses in grades 9-12. |
20 credits (2 years) |
|
D |
Science, with at least 1 course in physical science and 1 course in biological sciences |
20 credits (2 years) |
|
E or F |
Visual or Performing Arts, and/or World Languages, or Career Technical Education (CTE), including American Sign Language. To be counted towards meeting graduation requirements, a CTE course shall be aligned to the CTE model curriculum standards and framework adopted by the State Board of Education. |
10 credits (1 year) |
|
G |
Electives |
80 credits |
|
|
Ethnic Studies Several courses may meet the Ethnic Studies requirement per California regulations |
5 credits (1 semester) |
|
|
Health |
5 credits (1 semester) |
|
|
Physical Education |
20 credits (2 years) unless otherwise exempted pursuant to other sections of the Education Code 51225.3 |
For the Graduating Class of 2031 (9th grade entry Fall of 2027)
|
UC A-G Subject Areas |
Courses |
Lodi USD Graduation Requirements |
|
A |
World History, US History, Government Financial Literacy |
30 credits (3 years) |
|
B |
English (grade 9,10,11,12) |
40 credits (4 years) |
|
C |
Mathematics taken in Grades 9-12 Students shall complete at least one mathematics course that meets the state academic content standards for Algebra 1 or Mathematics 1. Students may complete such coursework prior to grade 9 provided they also complete two mathematics courses in grades 9-12. |
20 credits (2 years) |
|
D |
Science, with at least 1 course in physical science and 1 course in biological sciences |
20 credits (2 years) |
|
E or F |
Visual or Performing Arts, World Language, or Career Technical Education (CTE), including American Sign Language |
10 credits (1 year) |
|
G |
Electives |
80 credits |
|
|
Ethnic Studies Several courses may meet the Ethnic Studies requirement per California regulations |
5 credits (1 semester) |
|
|
Health |
5 credits (1 semester) |
|
|
Physical Education |
20 credits (2 years) unless otherwise exempted pursuant to other sections of the Education Code 51225.3 |
Legal References
Policy Reference Disclaimer:
These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority for the Board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the subject matter of the policy.
STATE
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
5 CCR 1600-1651 Graduation of students from grade 12 and credit toward graduation
5 CCR 4600-4670 Uniform complaint procedures
EDUCATION CODE
60900.2 Students with Disabilities Graduation Reporting
220 Prohibition of discrimination
47612 Average daily attendance in charter school
48200 Compulsory attendance
48204.4 Parents/guardians departing California against their will
48412 Certificate of proficiency
48430 Continuation education schools and classes
48645.5 Former juvenile court school students; enrollment
48980 Parent/Guardian notifications
49701 Provisions of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children
51224 Skills and knowledge required for adult life
51224.5 Algebra in course of study for grades 7-12
51225.1 Exemption from district graduation requirements
51225.2 Course credits
51225.3 High school graduation requirements
51225.31 Graduation exemption for students with disabilities
51225.35 Mathematics course requirements; computer science
51225.36 Instruction in sexual harassment and violence; districts that require health education for graduation
51225.5 Honorary diplomas; foreign exchange and terminally ill students
51225.6 Instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; districts that require health education for graduation
51225.9 Courses of study, grades 7 to 12; career technical education
51226.7 Model curriculum in ethnic studies
51228 Course of study; offerings and timely opportunity
51230 Credit for community emergency response training
51240-51246 Exemptions from requirements
51250-51251 Assistance to military dependents
51410-51413 Diplomas
51420-51427 High school equivalency certificates
51430 Retroactive high school diplomas
51440 Credit and granting of diploma to veterans and members of the military service
51450-51455 Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
51744-51749.6 Independent study
56390-56392 Recognition for educational achievement; special education
60640 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
66204 Certification of high school courses as meeting university admission criteria
67386 Student safety; affirmative consent standard
FEDERAL
UNITED STATES CODES
20 USC 7011 Definition of newcomer student
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
34 CFR 300.1-300.818 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
MANAGEMENT RESOURCES
COURT DECISION
O'Connell v. Superior Court (Valenzuela) (2006) 141 Cal.App.4th 1452
WEBSITES
CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services https://legalservices.csba.org/#
California Department of Education, High School http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs
University of California, List of Approved A-G Courses https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/freshman-requirements
CSBA http://www.csba.org/