skip to main content

High School Diploma & College Entrance Requirements

SDUHSD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

 

Requirements for graduation and specified alternative means for completing the prescribed course of study for a high school diploma shall be made available to students, parents/guardians, and the public. (Education Code 51225.3, Board Policy 6146.1-4, AR 6146.11)

Students shall not be required to have resided within the district for any minimum length of time as a condition of high school graduation (Education Code 51411, BP 6146.3) or Certificate of Completion (BP 6146.4).
 
SDUHSD High School Graduation Requirements:
SDUHSD Graduation Requirements Table
 
 
Note: CA Assembly Bill 101 amended EC 51225.3 and 51226.7 to add the completion of ethnic studies, meeting specified requirements, to the graduation requirements commencing with pupils graduating in the 2029–30 school year. Please click here for more information.
 
Each student's individual progress toward fulfilling high school graduation requirements can be monitored through the Aeries Portal by accessing Graduation Status under the Grades menu. Students or parents with questions or concerns regarding graduation status should contact the school counselor.
high school equivalency tests

high school equivalency tests

  • Students who have reached their 16th birthday may take the California Proficiency Program.
  • California approved two high school equivalency tests for students 18 years old and older, and 17 years old in some instances, for receiving a California High School Equivalency Certificate - GED® and HiSET®. 
Additional INFORMATION

Additional INFORMATION

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 the law. District students shall complete graduation course requirements as specified in Education Code 51225.3 and those adopted by the Board, except for students who are exempted as provided in the board policy under "Exemptions from District-Adopted Graduation Requirements." Students who are exempted from district-adopted graduation requirements shall be eligible to participate in any graduation ceremony and school activity related to graduation in which other students are eligible to participate.
 
Exemptions may impact college admission and other post-secondary options. Please see board policies and contact the high school counselor for any questions related to progress toward graduation requirements, alternates, supports, and exemptions.
 
Student Eligibility for Exemptions from District-Adopted Graduation Requirements 
  • Eligible students with disabilities who take the California Alternate Assessments,
  • Foster youth, homeless student, former juvenile court school, child of a military family, or migrant student who transfers into the district or between district schools any time after completing the second year of high school, or a newly arrived immigrant student who is in the third or fourth year of high school and is participating in a newcomer program, shall be exempted from any graduation requirements adopted by the Board that are in addition to statewide course requirements. This exemption shall not apply if 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 the transfer into a school or of the commencement of participation in a newcomer program, as applicable, the Superintendent or designee shall notify any eligible student of the availability of the exemption and whether the student qualifies for it. 
 

CALIFORNIA COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

 
Community College Requirements
In order to be eligible to attend a community college, students must have satisfied any ONE of the following:
 
 
California State University (CSU) & University of California (UC)
CSU/UC thumbnail
 
College Preparatory Coursework in Grade 7 & 8
  • Students may enroll in college preparatory mathematics and/or language other than English classes as part of their middle school courses. The course taken at the SDUHSD middle schools is comparable to those same levels which are taken at the high school level; therefore, middle school world language and/or math classes may fulfill eligibility requirements for the University of California and California State University systems.
  • Students who take mathematics or world language as eighth-graders are eligible for entry into the next level at the high school if they complete the suggested prerequisites.
  • No high school credit will be granted for courses taken at the middle school; however, the course(s) may be used to fulfill college entrance requirements.
  • Students in Grade 8 may take and receive credit for advanced courses at the high school. Enrollment in these courses is on a space-available basis with the approval of both the high school and middle school principals.

For more information about college admission, please visit the College & Career page.