San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education
Board Policy 6146.1
High School Graduation Requirements
This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.
In order to obtain a high school diploma, a student must complete the credits and courses required by the San Francisco Unified School District.
The credit and course requirements for SFUSD students are described in Section A below. There are four credit and course plans described in Section A. These include: Plan 1 (All Students); Plan 2 (Foreign Born Students Age 15 or Older); Plan 3 (Foster, Probation Involved, Homeless/Transitional Youth, Children of a Military Family, or Migrant Students Who Transfer Between Schools After 2 Years of High School; Newcomer Pupils in their Third or Fourth Year of High School; or Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education ); Plan 4 (Students enrolled in schools or programs governed by San Francisco County Office of Education). Section B below describes the Alternative to the High School Diploma. Section C below describes the criteria for retroactive or honorary diplomas.
SECTION A: CREDIT AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete a minimum of the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having duration of one year, unless otherwise specified. These credits may be achieved through traditional classes or alternative means that have been approved such as dual enrollment in a community college, on-line courses, summer school, adult education, work experience, proficiency tests, or classes from other accredited institutions. The requirements to obtain approval to receive credit through these alternative means shall be outlined in an Administrative Regulation approved by the Superintendent.
Plan 1 – All Students
| COURSES | SEMESTERS | NUMBER OF CREDITS REQUIRED | |
| a. History/Social Science (including US History, World History and American Government/Economics) | 6 | 30 | |
| b. College Preparatory English (courses approved by the University of California Office of the President, which prepare students to take college level courses) | 8 | 40 | |
| c. Mathematics (including Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2) | 6 | 30 | |
|
d. Laboratory Science (one year each from biological and physical sciences; or one year from biological or physical sciences and one year from interdisciplinary or earth and space science. A third year of science is recommended by UC. |
4 | 20 | |
|
e. World Languages (Two years of the same language other than English required.) *See additional notes at the end of Section A. |
4 | 20 | |
| f. Visual and Performing Arts (Dance, Drama/Theater, Music or Visual Art) | 2 | 10 | |
|
Physical Education *See additional notes at the end of this Section. |
4 | 20 | |
| Health Education | 1 | 5 | |
| College & Career Course | 1 | 5 | |
|
g. Electives (Advanced one year courses in Math, Arts, English, Lab Sciences, Foreign Language, Social Sciences, Ethnic Studies, or other course. At least 2 semesters or 10 credits of electives must be a-g approved courses as required by the University of California and California State University System.)
Beginning with the Class of 2028, at least 2 semesters of 10 credits of electives must be Ethnic Studies. **Ethnic Studies meets the requirements above as an approved a-g course for UC/CSU admission. |
10 | 50 | |
| Total Credits Required | 230 |
Students with disabilities intending to earn a regular high school diploma must complete the District’s credit and course requirements. Students with disabilities may receive accommodations and/or modifications in these required courses, as specified in the IEP or 504 Plan.
Plan 2 – Foreign Born Students 15 or Older
Foreign born students who enter the District and are at least 15 years of age by September 1st of their entering year will be placed in the 10th grade. Students in this category may obtain a diploma by meeting the following course and credit requirements:
|
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION |
SEMESTERS |
CREDITS |
|
a. History/Social Science (including US History, World History and American Government/Economics) |
6 |
30 |
|
b. English (3 years) |
6 |
30 |
|
c. Mathematics (including Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2) |
6 |
30 |
|
d. Laboratory Science (one year each from biological and physical sciences; or one year from biological or physical sciences and one year from interdisciplinary or earth and space science. A third year of science is recommended by UC.) |
4 |
20 |
|
e. World Languages (Two years of the same language other than English required.) *See additional notes at the end of Section A. |
4 |
20 |
|
f. Visual and Performing Arts (Dance, Drama/Theater, Music or Visual Art) |
2 |
10 |
|
Physical Education *See additional notes at the end of Section A. |
4 |
20 |
|
Health Education |
1 |
5 |
|
College & Career Course |
1 |
5 |
|
g. Electives (Advanced one year courses in Math, Arts, English, Lab Sciences, Foreign Language, Social Science, Ethnic Studies, or other course. At least 2 semesters or 10 credits of electives must be a-g approved courses as required by the University of California and California State University System.)
Beginning with the Class of 2028, at least 2 semesters of 10 credits of electives must be Ethnic Studies. **Ethnic Studies meets the requirements above as an approved a-g course for UC/CSU admission. |
2 |
10 |
|
Total Credits Required |
|
180 |
Students who are 14 by September 1st of their entering year will be placed in 9th grade, and will be required to meet Plan 1 graduation requirements. Students with less than 8 years of schooling will be placed in the 9th grade.
Requirement to Sign a Waiver: In order to utilize Plan 2, the eligible student and the parent/guardian must sign a written waiver to acknowledge that Plan 2 does not satisfy a-g requirements, and may affect the pupil’s ability to gain admission to a post-secondary institution. The student shall also receive information about transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges. The counseling and waiver process for utilizing Plan 2 shall be further outlined in an Administrative Regulation approved by the Superintendent.
Plan 3 – Foster, Former Juvenile Court, Homeless/Transitional Youth, Children of a Military Family, or Migrant Students Who Transfer Between Schools After 2 years of High School; or Newcomer Pupils in their Third or Fourth Year of High School; or Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education.
A foster youth, homeless student, former juvenile court school student, child of a military family, or migrant student who transfers between schools any time after completing the second year of high school; or Newcomer pupils who are in their third or fourth year of high school; shall be required to complete all graduation requirements specified in Education Code 51225.3 but shall be exempt from any additional District-adopted graduation requirements, unless the Superintendent or designee makes a finding that the student is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate by the end of the fourth year of high school. Within 30 days of a transfer, any foster, former juvenile court, homeless/transitional, child of a military family or migrant student shall be notified of the availability of the exemption and whether the student qualifies for it. (Education Code 51225.1 and Education Code 51225.2)
Students with limited or interrupted formal education who have been enrolled in a U.S. high school for at least two years at the time of planned graduation and who will reach age 18 with fewer than 100 credits are also not required to complete courses beyond state requirements, unless the District makes a finding that the pupil is reasonably able to complete the additional requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the pupil’s fourth year of high school.
| COURSES | SEMESTERS | NUMBER OF CREDITS REQUIRED |
|
a. History/Social Studies (3 years including U.S. History, World History, and American Government/Economics) |
6 | 30 |
| b. English (3 years) | 6 | 30 |
| c. Mathematics (2 years including Algebra 1) | 4 | 20 |
| d. Science (2 years including biological and physical sciences; or one year from biological or physical sciences and one year from interdisciplinary or earth and space science. A third year of science is recommended by UC) | 4 | 20 |
|
e. Visual and Performing Arts or World Language (1 year) *See notes at end of Section A |
2 | 10 |
|
f. Physical Education (2 years) *See additional notes at end of Section A |
4 | 20 |
| Total Credits Required | 130 |
Requirement to Sign a Waiver: In order to utilize Plan 3, an eligible student (and, as appropriate, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil) must sign a written waiver to acknowledge that Plan 3 does not satisfy a-g requirements, and may affect the pupil’s ability to gain admission to a post- secondary institution. The student shall also receive information about transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges. The counseling and waiver process for utilizing Plan 3 shall be further outlined in an Administrative Regulation approved by the Superintendent.
If the school District determines that the eligible student is reasonably able to complete the school District’s graduation requirements within the student’s fifth year of high school, the District shall inform and counsel the student about this right, as further outlined in an Administrative Regulation approved by the Superintendent.
Plan 4 – For Students Enrolled in Schools or Programs Governed by the San Francisco County Office of Education
County Schools enroll only students who have been expelled from school, incarcerated, identified as habitually truant, placed on probation by the court, are foster or homeless, or otherwise referred by probation or social services, all at high risk of not graduating from high school. Many of these students are eligible for Plan 3, but wishing to graduate from County School must complete state requirements, Health, a College and Career Course, and an additional 40 credits of academic, personal, career, or college development skills.
NOTE: All students enrolled in county schools and programs not subject to expulsion order retain the right to transfer to an SFUSD school and/or complete a fifth year of high school if they desire to exceed the requirements of Plan 4.
| Category Description | Semesters | Credits |
| a. History/Social Science (including US History, World History and American Government/Economics) | 6 | 30 |
| b. English (3 years) | 6 | 30 |
| c. Mathematics (2 years including Algebra 1) | 4 | 20 |
| d. Science (2 years including biological and physical sciences; or one year from biological or physical sciences and one year from interdisciplinary or earth and space science. A third year of science is recommended by UC.) | 4 | 20 |
| e. Visual and Performing Arts or World Language | 2 | 10 |
| f. Physical Education *See additional notes at the end of Section A. | 4 | 20 |
| Health Education | 1 | 5 |
| College & Career Course | 1 | 5 |
| g. Electives (4 years of academic, personal, career, or college development skills) | 8 | 40 |
| Total Credit Required | 180 |
World Languages
- An approved course in American Sign Language shall be deemed as meeting this requirement.
- Students studying a World Language in a private school at the same time they are enrolled in a District high school may qualify to receive high school course credit for their instruction. Up to 20 credits, at a maximum of 10 credits per year, will be granted to students who meet the criteria listed in the Administrative Regulation regarding alternative means for meeting credit and course requirements.
- English Learner (EL) students who can demonstrate proficiency in their primary language that is equal to or exceeding what is expected of students after two years of classroom World Language study may be exempted from the World Language requirement. The purpose of this exemption is to provide secondary EL students the opportunity to take additional ELD courses and to give recognition to the primary language skills that they have already acquired. In no way is the intent of the exemption to discourage English Learner students from taking World Language courses. All students planning to attend college should investigate the foreign language requirement.
Physical Education
- Students must pass 5 of 6 sections of the Fitnessgram by the end of 10th grade to be eligible for a 2 year exemption from Physical Education. Students who fail to pass the Fitnessgram by the end of 10th grade will be required to re-enroll in PE until s/he passes the Fitnessgram or meets exemption criteria outlined in Board Policy. Failure to pass the Fitnessgram is not grounds for withholding a diploma.
- Swimming proficiency test: It is recommended that each student pass the SFUSD Swimming Proficiency test.
- At least two years of Physical Education are required to graduate unless otherwise exempted pursuant of Board Policy.
Children of Military Families
- The Superintendent or designee shall use best efforts to waive specific courses required for graduation if similar coursework has been satisfactorily completed in another District or shall provide reasonable justification for denial. Should a waiver not be granted to a student who would qualify to graduate from the sending school, the Superintendent or designee shall use best efforts to provide an alternative means of acquiring required coursework so that graduation may occur on time. (EC 49701)
SECTION B: ALTERNATIVES TO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
A student with a disability that entered the ninth grade in the 2022-2023 school year and later shall be eligible for an exemption from all coursework and other requirements adopted by the Board in addition to the statewide course requirements for high school graduation, if the student’s individualized education program (IEP) provides for both of the following requirements: (Education Code 51225.31)
1. That the student take the alternate assessment as described in Education Code 60640
2. That the student complete state standards aligned coursework to meet the statewide coursework specified in Education Code 51225.3.
Any such exempted student shall receive a diploma and be eligible to participate in any graduation ceremony and school activity related to graduation in which a student of similar age without a disability would be eligible to participate. (Education Code 51225.3)
The district’s responsibility to provide FAPE shall not terminate when a student with a disability who is exempted from district-adopted graduation requirements participates in graduation activities unless the student’s IEP team, which includes the parent/guardian of the student, has determined that the student has completed the high school experience.
Annually, the Superintendent or designee shall report to the California Department of Education, in accordance with Education Code 51225.1, the number of students graduating from the fourth or fifth year of high school who, for the prior school year, graduated with an exemption from district-established graduation requirements that are in addition to statewide coursework requirements.
Certificate of Completion
Instead of a high school diploma, a student with disabilities may be awarded a certificate of completion if the student has met one of the following requirements: (i) satisfactorily completed a prescribed alternative course of study approved by the governing board of the District in which the student attended school or the District with jurisdiction over the student as identified in his/her IEP, (ii) satisfactorily met his/her goals and objectives during high school as identified in his/her IEP, (iii) satisfactorily attended high school, participated in the instruction as prescribed in his/her IEP, and met the objectives of the statement of transition services.
A student who obtains an exception or a Certificate of Completion shall be eligible to participate in any graduation ceremony and any school activity related to graduation in which a graduating student of similar age without disabilities would be eligible to participate. The right to participate in graduation ceremonies does not equate an exception or certificate of completion with a high school diploma.
SECTION C: RETROACTIVE DIPLOMAS AND HONORARY DIPLOMAS
Retroactive Diplomas
Any student who completed grade 12 in the 2003-04 through 2014-15 school year and met all applicable graduation requirements other than the passage of the high school exit examination shall be granted a high school diploma. (Education Code 51413)
In addition, the District may retroactively grant high school diplomas to: (Education Code 48204.4, 51430, 51440)
- Persons who departed California against their will while in grade 12 and did not receive a diploma because the departure interrupted their education, provided that they were in good academic standing at the time of the departure.
Persons may be considered to have departed California against their will if they were in custody of a government agency and were transferred to another state, were subject to a lawful order from a court or government agency that authorized their removal from California, were subject to a lawful order and were permitted to depart California before being removed from California pursuant to the lawful order, were removed or were permitted to depart voluntarily pursuant to the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, or departed due to other circumstances determined by the District that are consistent with the purposes of Education Code 48204.4.
In determining whether to award a diploma under these circumstances, the Superintendent or designee shall consider any coursework that may have been completed outside of the United Stated or through online or virtual courses.
- Former students who were interned by order of the federal government during World War II or who are honorably discharged veterans of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, provided that they were enrolled in a District school immediately preceding the internment or military service and did not receive a diploma because their education was interrupted due to the internment or military service in those wars.
Deceased former students who satisfy these conditions may be granted a retroactive diploma to be received by their next of kin.
- Veterans who entered the military service of the United States while in grade 12 and who had satisfactorily completed the first half of the work required for grade 12 in a District school.
Honorary Diplomas
The Board may grant honorary high school diplomas to a student who is terminally ill. The honorary diploma shall be clearly distinguishable from the regular diploma of graduation awarded by the District. (Education Code 51225.5)
Legal References:
Education Code Section 51225.1
Education Code Section 51225.2
Education Code Section 51225.3
Education Code Section 51225.31
Education Code Section 56026(c)(4)
Education Code Section 56390-92
Education Code Section 60850
Education Code Section 60852
Education Code Section 60852.3
Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.