Graduation and A-G Requirements
Graduation will be authorized by the Board of Education, and a diploma will be granted to all students who have acquired 220 units of credit from the adopted Course of Study during grades 9-12 in any comprehensive High School. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony unless the student has completed all graduation requirements satisfactorily. Note that meeting the high school graduation requirements does not necessarily meet the college entrance requirements, as additional A-G courses may be needed. The 220 units of credits shall include the following:
GGUSD High School Graduation Requirements for Graduating Classes 2027
English – 40
Students are required to be enrolled in English Language Arts courses through grade 12. Four years of English Language Arts are required to graduate from the Garden Grove Unified School District. Students not proficient in English will be enrolled in an appropriate English Language Development (ELD) program. ELD students are required to take 40 credits of ELD and/or English Language Arts. If a student has been enrolled solely in the ELD program, he/she must successfully complete Level C in order to graduate.
Students are required to be enrolled in English Language Arts courses through grade 12. Four years of English Language Arts are required to graduate from the Garden Grove Unified School District. Students not proficient in English will be enrolled in an appropriate English Language Development (ELD) program. ELD students are required to take 40 credits of ELD and/or English Language Arts. If a student has been enrolled solely in the ELD program, he/she must successfully complete Level C in order to graduate.
History/Social Science – 30
The History/Social Science requirement of 30 credits includes: One year (10 credits) of World History to be taken 9th or 10th grade; one year (10 credits) of U.S. History to be taken in 11th grade; one year (10 credits) of Civics/Economics to be taken in 12th grade.
The History/Social Science requirement of 30 credits includes: One year (10 credits) of World History to be taken 9th or 10th grade; one year (10 credits) of U.S. History to be taken in 11th grade; one year (10 credits) of Civics/Economics to be taken in 12th grade.
Mathematics – 30
Students are required to complete 30 credits of mathematics, including successful completion of Algebra 1P to graduate. Successful completion of Algebra 1P is a California State requirement. Students enrolling in High School in a math course with Algebra as a prerequisite can meet this requirement with a successful completion of Algebra 2.
Students are required to complete 30 credits of mathematics, including successful completion of Algebra 1P to graduate. Successful completion of Algebra 1P is a California State requirement. Students enrolling in High School in a math course with Algebra as a prerequisite can meet this requirement with a successful completion of Algebra 2.
Science – 20
The Science requirement is 20 credits. Students must complete 10 credits of a Life Science course and 10 credits of a Physical Science course to graduate.
The Science requirement is 20 credits. Students must complete 10 credits of a Life Science course and 10 credits of a Physical Science course to graduate.
Fine Arts/Applied Arts – 10
The Fine Arts/Applied Arts requirement includes 10 credits selected from the following areas: Fine Arts – Art, Music, Speech, and Drama; Applied Arts including CTE.
The Fine Arts/Applied Arts requirement includes 10 credits selected from the following areas: Fine Arts – Art, Music, Speech, and Drama; Applied Arts including CTE.
Physical Education – 20
The Physical Education requirement is 20 credits to be completed in grades 9 and 10. Education Code, Section 51241, allows the principal, under special circumstances, to grant a 10th grade student exemption from courses in physical education for up to two years. For example, a 10th grade student whose program is too restrictive to allow the selection of a desired elective may delay taking the second required P.E. class until the 11th or 12th grade. All students must successfully complete 20 credits of physical education to graduate.
Two-Year Exemptions: With the student’s consent, the Superintendent or designee may exempt a student from physical education courses for any two years during grades 10-12 provided the student has satisfactorily met at least five of the six standards of the state’s physical fitness test in grade 9. (Education Code 51241)
The Physical Education requirement is 20 credits to be completed in grades 9 and 10. Education Code, Section 51241, allows the principal, under special circumstances, to grant a 10th grade student exemption from courses in physical education for up to two years. For example, a 10th grade student whose program is too restrictive to allow the selection of a desired elective may delay taking the second required P.E. class until the 11th or 12th grade. All students must successfully complete 20 credits of physical education to graduate.
Two-Year Exemptions: With the student’s consent, the Superintendent or designee may exempt a student from physical education courses for any two years during grades 10-12 provided the student has satisfactorily met at least five of the six standards of the state’s physical fitness test in grade 9. (Education Code 51241)
Health – 2.5
The Health Education State Requirement, which includes Family Life, is required of all students. Health Education is a semester course.
The Health Education State Requirement, which includes Family Life, is required of all students. Health Education is a semester course.
Electives – 67.5
The graduation requirements include successful completion of 67.5 elective credits. These electives should be selected according to the student’s Personal Learning Plan with post-high school goals in mind. These elective credits are made up from academic courses (World Language, third and fourth year of Science, fourth year of Math), or additional P.E., Fine Arts, and Career Technical Education courses. 2.5 credits of the semester Health Education course count toward the elective requirement.
The graduation requirements include successful completion of 67.5 elective credits. These electives should be selected according to the student’s Personal Learning Plan with post-high school goals in mind. These elective credits are made up from academic courses (World Language, third and fourth year of Science, fourth year of Math), or additional P.E., Fine Arts, and Career Technical Education courses. 2.5 credits of the semester Health Education course count toward the elective requirement.
TOTAL CREDITS: 220
*Students graduating from Hare High School are required to complete 200 credits including the four Core Content Areas, Fine Arts, Health, and a total of 67.5 credits of Electives and/or Physical Education. Information regarding the High School Equivalency Diploma (HiSET) can be found in the Guidance Office.
**Students graduating on the Applied Diploma Pathway are required to complete the state minimum requirements of 130 credits including four core content areas, Fine Arts, and Physical Education. Health Education will be embedded into Applied Biology.
**Students graduating on the Applied Diploma Pathway are required to complete the state minimum requirements of 130 credits including four core content areas, Fine Arts, and Physical Education. Health Education will be embedded into Applied Biology.
GGUSD High School Graduation Requirements for Graduating Classes 2028-2029
English – 40
Students are required to be enrolled in English Language Arts courses through grade 12. Four years of English Language Arts are required to graduate from the Garden Grove Unified School District. Students not proficient in English will be enrolled in an appropriate English Language Development (ELD) program. ELD students are required to take 40 credits of ELD and/or English Language Arts. If a student has been enrolled solely in the ELD program, he/she must successfully complete Level C in order to graduate.
Students are required to be enrolled in English Language Arts courses through grade 12. Four years of English Language Arts are required to graduate from the Garden Grove Unified School District. Students not proficient in English will be enrolled in an appropriate English Language Development (ELD) program. ELD students are required to take 40 credits of ELD and/or English Language Arts. If a student has been enrolled solely in the ELD program, he/she must successfully complete Level C in order to graduate.
History/Social Science – 30
The History/Social Science requirement of 30 credits includes: One year (10 credits) of World History to be taken 9th or 10th grade; one year (10 credits) of U.S. History to be taken in 11th grade; one year (10 credits) of Civics/Economics to be taken in 12th grade.
The History/Social Science requirement of 30 credits includes: One year (10 credits) of World History to be taken 9th or 10th grade; one year (10 credits) of U.S. History to be taken in 11th grade; one year (10 credits) of Civics/Economics to be taken in 12th grade.
Mathematics – 30
Students are required to complete 30 credits of mathematics, including successful completion of Algebra 1P to graduate. Successful completion of Algebra 1P is a California State requirement. Students enrolling in High School in a math course with Algebra as a prerequisite can meet this requirement with a successful completion of Algebra 2.
Students are required to complete 30 credits of mathematics, including successful completion of Algebra 1P to graduate. Successful completion of Algebra 1P is a California State requirement. Students enrolling in High School in a math course with Algebra as a prerequisite can meet this requirement with a successful completion of Algebra 2.
Science – 20
The Science requirement is 20 credits. Students must complete 10 credits of a Life Science course and 10 credits of a Physical Science course to graduate.
The Science requirement is 20 credits. Students must complete 10 credits of a Life Science course and 10 credits of a Physical Science course to graduate.
Fine Arts/Applied Arts – 10
The Fine Arts/Applied Arts requirement includes 10 credits selected from the following areas: Fine Arts – Art, Music, Speech, and Drama; Applied Arts including CTE.
The Fine Arts/Applied Arts requirement includes 10 credits selected from the following areas: Fine Arts – Art, Music, Speech, and Drama; Applied Arts including CTE.
Physical Education – 20
The Physical Education requirement is 20 credits to be completed in grades 9 and 10. Education Code, Section 51241, allows the principal, under special circumstances, to grant a 10th grade student exemption from courses in physical education for up to two years. For example, a 10th grade student whose program is too restrictive to allow the selection of a desired elective may delay taking the second required P.E. class until the 11th or 12th grade. All students must successfully complete 20 credits of physical education to graduate.
Two-Year Exemptions: With the student’s consent, the Superintendent or designee may exempt a student from physical education courses for any two years during grades 10-12 provided the student has satisfactorily met at least five of the six standards of the state’s physical fitness test in grade 9. (Education Code 51241)
The Physical Education requirement is 20 credits to be completed in grades 9 and 10. Education Code, Section 51241, allows the principal, under special circumstances, to grant a 10th grade student exemption from courses in physical education for up to two years. For example, a 10th grade student whose program is too restrictive to allow the selection of a desired elective may delay taking the second required P.E. class until the 11th or 12th grade. All students must successfully complete 20 credits of physical education to graduate.
Two-Year Exemptions: With the student’s consent, the Superintendent or designee may exempt a student from physical education courses for any two years during grades 10-12 provided the student has satisfactorily met at least five of the six standards of the state’s physical fitness test in grade 9. (Education Code 51241)
Health – 2.5
The Health Education State Requirement, which includes Family Life, is required of all students. Health Education is a semester course.
The Health Education State Requirement, which includes Family Life, is required of all students. Health Education is a semester course.
Ethnic Studies – 5
Ethnic Studies is a State Requirement, which provides an introduction to key analytical concepts to understand the universal themes of diversity, belonging, equity and inclusivity.
Ethnic Studies is a State Requirement, which provides an introduction to key analytical concepts to understand the universal themes of diversity, belonging, equity and inclusivity.
Electives – 62.5
The graduation requirements include successful completion of 67.5 elective credits. These electives should be selected according to the student’s Personal Learning Plan with post-high school goals in mind. These elective credits are made up from academic courses (World Language, third and fourth year of Science, fourth year of Math), or additional P.E., Fine Arts, and Career Technical Education courses. 2.5 credits of the semester Health Education course count toward the elective requirement.
The graduation requirements include successful completion of 67.5 elective credits. These electives should be selected according to the student’s Personal Learning Plan with post-high school goals in mind. These elective credits are made up from academic courses (World Language, third and fourth year of Science, fourth year of Math), or additional P.E., Fine Arts, and Career Technical Education courses. 2.5 credits of the semester Health Education course count toward the elective requirement.
TOTAL CREDITS: 220
*Students graduating from Hare High School are required to complete 200 credits including the four Core Content Areas, Fine Arts, Health, and a total of 62.5 credits of Electives and/or Physical Education.Assembly Bill 101 requires students to complete the Ethnic Studies course starting with the graduating class of 2030. Garden Grove Unified School District will begin this requirement with the graduating class of 2028.
Information regarding the High School Equivalency Diploma (HiSET) can be found in the Guidance Office
**Students graduating on the Applied Diploma Pathway are required to complete the state minimum requirements of 130 credits including four core content areas, Fine Arts, and Physical Education. Health will be embedded into Applied Biology.
University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) "A-G" Requirements
First year requirements: "To meet minimum admission requirements, you must complete 15 yearlong high school courses with a letter grade of C or better — at least 11 of them prior to your last year of high school. Keep in mind that taking high school (A-G) courses isn't the only way to satisfy these requirements. You also may meet them by completing college courses or earning certain scores on various acceptable exams. With the exception of math and language other than English, all subject requirements must be met in 9th through 12th grade." For more information, visit:
Last Update: 9/24/2026
