All students graduating from Aberdeen School District No. 58 will meet all state and district graduation requirements. High schools will offer a wide variety of courses to satisfy state and local graduation requirements, including instructional offerings in physical education and Career Technical Education (CTE). Additionally, each student’s parent-approved career pathway plan will be reviewed and updated annually with the student (see Policy No. 608, Middle/Junior High School Required Instruction).
STATE STANDARDS FOR GRADUATION
The Idaho State Board of Education (SBOE) has established that all students graduating from an Idaho public high school must meet the following minimum requirements:
Local Content Standards. A student must meet locally established subject area achievement standards as demonstrated through various measures of accountability including examinations or other measures. The local standards must meet or exceed the standards set by the state.
Course Credit and Core Instruction. A student must successfully complete a minimum of forty-six (46) credits, which must include twenty-nine (29) credits in core subjects as set forth below and in IDAPA 08.02.03.105. One (1) credit equals sixty (60) hours of instruction unless the district has been granted a waiver by the Idaho State Department of Education (SDE). Waiver requests must be submitted in writing to the SDE, be signed by the superintendent and board chair, and provide information and documentation that substantiates the district’s reason for not requiring sixty (60) hours of total instruction per credit.
A. Secondary Language Arts and Communication—nine (9) credits required.
- Eight (8) credits of language arts, each year of which will consist of language study, composition, and literature aligned to the Idaho Content Standards for the appropriate grade level.
- One (1) credit of instruction in communications consisting of oral communication and technological applications that includes a course in speech, a course in debate, or a sequence of instructional activities that meet the Idaho Speech Content Standards requirements.
B. Mathematics—six (6) credits required. Secondary mathematics includes Integrated Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Business Mathematics, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Fundamentals of Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, and courses in mathematical problem solving and quantitative reasoning, including mathematics taken through career technical education programs. Engineering courses and computer science courses aligned to the state standards for grades 9-12 may be counted as a mathematics credit. Students who choose to take computer science or engineering courses may not concurrently count such courses as both a mathematics and science credit for the same course. Students must complete secondary mathematics in the following areas:
- Two (2) credits of Algebra I, Algebra I level equivalent Integrated Mathematics or courses that meet the Idaho High School Algebra Content Standards;
- Two (2) credits of Geometry, Geometry level equivalent Integrated Mathematics, or courses that meet the Idaho High School Geometry Content Standards; and
- Two (2) credits of mathematics of the student’s choice.
C. Science—six (6) credits required. Four (4) credits are required from at least two (2) of the four (4) content areas: physics, chemistry, earth and space sciences, or life science. An additional two (2) credits in secondary sciences may include instruction in applied sciences, physics, chemistry, earth and space sciences, life sciences, engineering or computer science. Students who choose to take computer science or engineering courses may not concurrently count such courses as both a mathematics and science credit for the same course.
D. Social Studies—five (5) credits required, including government (2 credits), United States history (2 credits), and economics and financial literacy (1 credit). Courses such as geography, sociology, psychology, and world history may be offered as electives, but will not be counted as a social studies graduation credit requirement.
E. Fine Arts or World Languages—two (2) credits required. Courses include instruction in visual arts, music, theatre, dance, or world languages aligned to the Idaho content standards for those subjects. Other courses such as literature, history, philosophy, architecture, or comparative world religions may satisfy the humanities standards if the course is aligned to the Interdisciplinary Humanities Content Standards.
F. Health/Wellness—one (1) credit required. The course must be aligned to the Idaho Health Content Standards. Each student shall receive a minimum of one (1) training on psychomotor cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as outlined in the American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR to include the proper utilization of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) as part of the Health/Wellness course.
G. Digital Literacy – One (1) credit is required. The course must include instruction that aligns with Idaho Content Standards associated with leveraging technology, digital citizenship, and computational thinking which are imbedded in the Information and Communication Technology Content Standards, and with leveraging the impacts of computing, algorithms, and programming, which are embedded in the Computer Science Standards. This requirement will apply to any student graduating after January 1, 2028. Students who have earned a middle school digital literacy credit may not use that course to satisfy the high school credit requirement.
H. Physical Education—no credit requirement. Students who participate in one (1) season in any sport recognized by the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) or club sport recognized by the district, or eighteen (18) weeks of a sport recognized by the district may choose to substitute participation up to one (1) credit of physical education. Students must show mastery of the Physical Education Content Standards in a format provided by the district.
Mastery. Students must demonstrate mastery of Idaho Content Standards in a format provided by the district. Notwithstanding the credit definition set forth in section 2 above, a student may achieve credits by demonstrating mastery of a subject’s content standards as defined and approved by the board.
Credit Flexibility. Credit flexibility is any instruction in applied concepts that meets Idaho Content Standards to apply for core academic credits. Under this provision, CTE courses or work-based learning opportunities that meet the Idaho Content Standards can be considered for academic credits. The district may work with the SDE in developing crosswalks and templates to assist in awarding credit for learning opportunities in ways that meet course requirements for high school graduation.
Senior Project. The senior project is a culminating project to show a student’s ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and communicate that knowledge and understanding. A student must complete a senior project that includes a written report and oral presentation by the end of the student’s 12th grade year. Senior projects may be multi-year projects, group or individual projects, or approved, pre-internship or school to work internship programs, at the discretion of the district. The project must include elements of research, development of a thesis using experiential learning or integrated project-based learning experiences and presentation of the project outcome. The district may impose additional requirements at its discretion. Completion of a postsecondary certificate or degree at the time of high school graduation or an approved pre-internship or internship program may be used to meet this requirement. The senior project will last apply for the class of 2027, unless the district has opted to early implement the future readiness project, as described herein.
Future Readiness Project. The future readiness project is a culminating project that demonstrates a student’s application of college and career competencies and exploration of potential post high school options. All students beginning with the class of 2028 must complete a future readiness project by the end of grade 12. The project must include an experiential component, such as a work-based, service-based, research-based, or portfolio-based component in which a student demonstrates the acquisition of Idaho college and career competencies. Experiences including, but not limited to, apprenticeships, internships, volunteer work and extracurricular activities related to real-world skills acquisition will count toward this requirement. The district will determine how students will demonstrate the acquisition of college and career competencies and may require additional components.
Localized Pathways. In order to assist students in structuring their secondary course selection electives, assessment, and supplemental activities, the district will develop and post publicly two (2) or more localized pathways. Localized pathways are designed to inform students and parents/guardians of local opportunities aligned with post-secondary goals as identified in the student’s career pathway plan. Examples of localized pathways include, but are not limited to: 2-year or 4-year college and university readiness; military readiness; apprenticeships; direct entry into a career or trade; or exploration of post-secondary opportunities. This requirement will be implemented by the district no later than June 30, 2026.
Civics and Government Proficiency. All secondary students must show they have met the state civics and government standards for such instruction through the successful completion of the civics test. The district may establish an alternate path for determining if a student has met the state civics and government content standards. Alternate paths are open to all students in grades 7-12. Any student who has been determined proficient in the state civics and government content standards either through the completion of the civics test or an alternate path will have it noted on the student’s high school transcript. A student may take the civics test, in whole or in part, any time after enrolling in the 7th grade and may repeat the test as often as necessary to pass the test. “Civics test” means the one hundred (100) questions used by officers of the United States citizenship and immigration services as a basis for selecting the questions posed to applicants for naturalization, in order that the applicants can demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of United States history and the principles and form of United States government, as required by 8 U.S.C. §1423.
Financial Literacy. The district will offer to all students in grades 9-12 one (1) or more courses in personal financial literacy and money management. Instruction in this area will include the following core competency areas: (a) recognize the influence of money on human behavior; (b) learn about various types of bank accounts; (c) evaluate various investment options and calculate net worth; (d) learn about various types of credit and how credit rating is determined; (e) understand the essentials of financing a college education; (f) evaluate various types of insurance associated with independent living; (g) recognize the purpose of the tax system and how it relates to each citizen and the citizen’s income; (h) build a budget for independent living; and (i) recognize and utilize modern consumer skills, tools, and practices. Completion of this course will fulfill the financial literacy component of the social studies high school graduation requirement.
Middle School Courses. See Policy No. 609.50, Awarding High School Credit for Courses Taken Before Ninth Grade.
SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS
Students who are eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act may, with the assistance of the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team, meet graduation requirements in accordance with this policy, the student’s IEP, and specifications within the current Idaho Special Education Manual.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS
A foreign exchange student may be eligible for graduation by completing a comparable program to the requirements set forth above, as approved by the district.
DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS
District High School Graduation Requirements for Class of 2028 and up.
The minimum graduation requirements for an accredited Aberdeen High School Diploma shall be as follows beginning with Class of 2028. Courses in Bold are specific courses required; italicized courses are student’s choices. Students must complete a research paper and oral presentation for the Senior Project.
Courses
ENGLISH: (8 credits required)
- English 9 A and B (2 Credits)
- English 10 A and B (2 Credits)
- English 11 or Honors English 11 A and B (2 credits)
- English 12 or Honors English 12 A and B (2 credits)
SPEECH: (1 credit required)
- Speech (1 credit)
MATH: (6 credits required)
- Algebra A 1 and 2 (2 year course) (1 credit)
- Algebra B 1 and 2 (2 year course) (1 credit)
- Algebra I A and B (1 year course) (2 credits)
- Geometry A and B (2 credits)
Any of the following will fulfill the other 2 credits of Math requirements:
- Algebra II A and B (2 credits)
- Business Math A and B (2 credits)
- College Algebra A and B (2 credits)
- Honors Statistics A and B (2 credits)
- Trigonometry / Pre Calculus (2 credits)
- Calculus A and B (2 credits)
SCIENCE: (6 credits required)
- Physical Science A & B (2 credits)
- Biology (lab) A and B (2 credits)
Any of the following will fulfill the other 2 or more credits of Science requirements:
- Anatomy & Physiology (2 credits)
- Zoology Animal Science A & B (2 credits)
- Zoology – Vet Science (1 credit)
- Zoology – Equine Science (1 credit)
- Botany/Plant Science (2 credits)
- Chemistry A & B (2 credits)
- Physics A & B (2 credits)
SOCIAL STUDIES: ( 5 credits Required)
- U.S. History or Honors U.S. History A and B (2 credits)
- U.S. Government or Honors U.S. Government A and B (2 credits)
- Economics (1 credit)
HUMANITIES: Any of the following will fulfill Humanities Requirements: (4 credits required)
- World History A & B (2 credits)
- Spanish I A & B (2 credits)
- Spanish II A & B (2 credits)
- Spanish III A & B (2 credits)
- Spanish IV A & B (2 credits)
- Art – Basic; Drawing; Painting; Design-Model (1 credit)
- Band; Instrumental Music-Guitar (1 credit)
- Choral; Musical (1 credit)
HEALTH: (1 credit required)
- Health (1 credit)
P.E.: (2 credits required)
- Fit for Life A or B and/or Athletic Conditioning A or B (1 credit)
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY: (1 credit required)
- Digital Literacy (1 credit)
ELECTIVES / VOCATIONAL COURSES: (12 credits required)
Total Credits Required for Graduation: 46
ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
As a further condition of graduation and as a condition of issuance of a diploma or certificate or as a condition for issuance of a transcript, all indebtedness incurred by a person when he or she was a student must be paid. Furthermore, all books or other instructional material, uniforms, athletic equipment, advances on loans, or other personal property of the school district borrowed by the person when he or she was a student of the district must be returned. The payment of fees may be excused upon an adequate showing of financial need or other exigency.
CREDIT CALCULATION
Credits toward graduation requirements cannot be counted more than once for meeting the minimum requirements.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Idaho Code Sections
33-119 – Accreditation of Secondary Schools – Standards for Elementary Schools
33-512C – Encouragement of Gifted Students
33-603 – Payment of Fees or Returning of Property
33-1601 et seq. – Courses of Instruction
IDAPA 08.02.03.104 – Other Required Instruction
IDAPA 08.02.03.105 – High School Graduation Requirements
ADOPTED: October 15, 2025
AMENDED: