School Board
of Alachua County
Gainesville, Florida
Graduation Guide
What
you need to know
about Alachua County’s
high school
graduation requirements
The following information outlines high school graduation requirements; more information is available from your school's guidance counselor or the School Board’s Office of Secondary Curriculum at 955-7595.
Grading Scale
All high school students are graded on the following scale:
| A | = | 90-100 | = | 4.0 | Outstanding |
| B+ | = | 87-89 | = | 3.0 | |
| B | = | 80-86 | = | 3.0 | Above Average |
| C+ | = | 7 7-79 | = | 2.0 | |
| C | = | 70-76 | = | 2.0 | Average |
| D+ | = | 67-69 | = | 1.0 | |
| D | = | 60-66 | = | 1.0 | Lowest Acceptable |
| F | = | 0-59 | = | 0.0 | Failure |
| I | = | 0 | = | 0.0 | Incomplete |
Graduation Requirements
Earn 24 credits, including:
English - 4 credits
Mathematics - 3 credits (including Algebra I, its equivalent, or a higher level math course)
Science - 3 credits (including two laboratory experiences)
World History - 1 credit
American History - 1 credit
Economics - 1/2 credit
American Government - 1/2 credit
One credit in:
Career and Technical Education, OR
Performing fine arts, OR
1/2 credit in both (a) and (b)
Life Management Skills - 1/2 credit
Physical Education - 1 full credit of physical education is required for graduation. This includes:
1/2 credit in Personal Fitness
1/2 credit of any Physical Education courseBeginning with the graduating class of 2003, participation in two full seasons of interscholastic sports at the junior varsity or varsity level may be used to satisfy the one-credit physical education requirement if the student makes a "C" or better on a competency test for personal fitness (Florida Statute 1003.43). No credit will be earned when satisfying the physical education requirement through interscholastic sports participation. Completion of one semester with a grade of "C" or better in a Marching Band class or in a Physical Activity class that requires participation in Marching Band activities as an extracurricular activity shall satisfy a one-half credit requirement in Physical Education. This one-half credit may not be used to satisfy the Personal Fitness requirement or the requirement for Adaptive PE under an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.
Electives - 8 and 1/2 credits
Earn a passing score on the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT).
Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Diploma Options
Standard Diploma
Completion of all course and credit requirements, mastery of the standards measured by the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) and has the required GPA.
College-Ready Diploma
A college-ready diploma entitles the student to admission without placement testing to a public post-secondary educational program that results in a technical certificate, an Associate in Science degree, or Associate in Arts degree if the student enters the post-secondary program within two years of earning the College Ready Diploma.
University-Ready Diploma
This diploma has more stringent requirements and better prepares the student for admission to a four-year state institution. A university-ready diploma does not guarantee acceptance to all universities. Students are urged to contact the universities of their choice during their junior year to determine specific requirements for admission.