High School Graduation Information
High School Graduation Information
The Arizona State Board of Education establishes the requirements for graduation from high school. The minimum course of study and competency requirements are outlined in Title 7, Chapter 2 of The Arizona Administrative Code. The minimum course of study State Board Rule, is R7-2-302.
Credit Requirements
The table below summarizes the minimum credit requirements for high school graduation in Arizona, starting with the graduating class of 2017. Please note that school districts and charter schools may, at their discretion, establish additional graduation credit requirements for their students.
| SUBJECT | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| English or English as a Second Language | 4 credits |
| Mathematics | 4 credits |
| Science | 3 credits |
| History & Social Science | 3 credits |
| Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education | 1 credit |
| Locally Prescribed Courses | 7 credits |
Key highlights from R7-2-302 are listed below.
Mathematics (1) Three credits containing course content in preparation for proficiency at the high school level on the statewide assessment and aligned to the Arizona Mathematics Standards for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. These three credits shall be taken beginning with the ninth grade unless a student meets these requirements prior to the ninth grade. (2) The requirement for the third credit covering Algebra II, may be met by, but is not limited to the following: a math course comparable to Algebra II course content; computer science, career and technical education and vocational education, economics, science and arts courses as determined by the local school district governing board or charter school. (3) The mathematics requirements may be modified for students using a Personal Curriculum.
Science (4) Three credits of science in preparation for proficiency at the high school level on the statewide assessment.
History and Social Science (5) History and Social Science will minimally consist of one credit of American history, including Arizona history; one credit of world history/geography; and one-half credit of government and one-half credit of economics. Note: Specific course requirements are outlined in R7-2-302.
Arizona Civics Test Homepage | Arizona Civics Test Administration Guide (Updated October 2023)
New Legislation Signed in 2022: There is new legislation that was signed into law in 2022 that requires students graduating in 2026 and after must have a passing score of 70/100. If a student graduates in 2026, and has already taken the civics test and scored a 60-69, they will need to retest and score a 70/100 sometime before they graduate in 2026.
Special education students with an Individualized Education Plan are only required to pass the civics test if it is mentioned in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). As a courtesy, the Arizona Department of Education, with help from the Maricopa County Education Service Agency and Arizona educators, has developed a mostly multiple-choice version of the required test.
Updates:
For all students to meet the civics test graduation requirement, please use the 2008 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (linked above) test. There is a 2020 test with additional questions that the Trump administration created. It is only an option for a small number of immigrants who applied for and were interviewed during a short period of time. The Biden administration chose to return to the 2008 test, and that is the test you will use for students to meet the graduation requirement. The current passing rate for students is 60/100 for students graduating from 2022 to 2025.
Civics Test Reporting Information:
Beginning in 2023, LEAs are now required to report civics test aggregate data by grade level. The Reporting Form can be found on the Arizona Civics Homepage.
If you have any questions regarding the reporting of civics test data, please email K12 Standards at [email protected].
AzM2/AzMERIT has been replaced by Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) for grades 3-8 and by ACT Aspire for grade 9 and ACT for grade 11.
Passing the above tests is not a requirement for graduation; however, local schools may choose to develop their own academic requirements. See the assessment webpage for more information about the statewide summative assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
A student may be eligible for early graduation if they fulfill all necessary requirements. Ultimately, the decision lies with the school or district, made in collaboration with the student’s parents. For further details, please consult the above graduation requirements.
Since dual enrollment programs are managed locally, it is recommended to reach out to your local high school's counseling team or your nearby community college. They can provide detailed information about:
- Dual enrollment opportunities
- Tuition assistance options
- Admission requirements
Please review the resources below for more information:
Students, including those who are homeschooled, are eligible to fully engage in dual enrollment programs and earn college credits as per the relevant statute 15-1821.01.
No. A second language is not an Arizona state graduation requirement. However, some universities and state universities require two years of a second language to enroll.
No. However, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) highly recommends students complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to leave all options open to them after high school.
The Arizona Department of Education does not house student transcripts or records. Contact the school or district issuing the diploma or credits for transcripts and records. Guidance on obtaining transcripts or records can be found at this website: https://www.azed.gov/adeinfo/transcripts-and-student-records/.
- For a closed district or school, please contact the District Office.
- For a closed Charter school, please contact the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools at (602) 364-3080.
Additionally, you can check the resources below:
There is no state mandate specifying the number of attendance days necessary for graduation or promotion. However, in Arizona, schools are required to provide a minimum of instructional hours annually; high school students must complete at least 720 hours. Due to local control, most educational decisions, including attendance policies, are managed by local school districts and governing boards.
Helpful resources:
- Arizona State Legislature webpage
- 15-00808 R7-2-302. Minimum Course of Study and Competency Requirements for Graduation from High School
Please refer to Arizona State Legislation for more information on this topic. You can find additional Special Educational resources on our Exceptional Student Services (ESS) webpage.
Please reach out to our Adult Education unit for more information on this topic.
Per Board Rule and Statute R7-2-302, “a credit” refers to a year-long course. For high school, a class is typically 55 minutes/day or 275 minutes/week for 180 days.
