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Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements

San Mateo Union High School District students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 170 credits in required courses and 40 additional credits of elective coursework, making a total of 220 credits. Each course passed earns 5 credits.

Social Studies "A" Requirement

  • 35 Credits: Intro to Ethnic Studies (1 semester), Modern World History, U.S. History, American Government, Economics
  • California State University (C.S.U.)/University of California (U.C.) Requirement - 2 years: World History, U.S. History

English "B" Requirement

  • 40 Credits: English 9, English 10, English 11 and English 12
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - 4 years: College Prep English

Mathematics "C" Requirement

  • 30 Credits (must include Algebra 1)
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - 3 years: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 and/or Intro to Data Science

Lab Science "D" Requirement

  • 20 Credits: 10 credits in biological science and 10 credits in physical science
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - 2 years: Lab Science including physical science and life science
    • *3 years recommended

World Languages "E" Requirement

  • 10 credits (to be completed by the end of 10th grade)
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - 2 years of the same language
    • *3 years recommended

Visual and Performing Arts "F" Requirement

  • 10 credits
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - 1 year

Electives "G" Requirement

  • 40 credits
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - 1 year

Career and Technical Education (C.T.E.) Requirement

  • 10 credits
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - none

Physical Education

  • 20 credits
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - none

Health

  • 5 credits
  • C.S.U./U.C. Requirement - none

Additional Non-Course Requirements

  • Passing credit on senior defense
  • Possible: American College Testing (A.C.T.), Scholastic Assessment Test (S.A.T.), and S.A.T. Subject Tests

** Download the Graduation Requirements document (This document is in English and Spanish).