Graduation Requirements

The Washington State Board of Education sets thegraduation requirements. To graduate, students must complete a total of 24 credits, comprising 17 core credits and 7 flexible credits. This includes four credits of English and three credits of math, along with other subjects.

All students in the class of 2024 and beyond arerequired to have two (2) credits of World Language in the same language. Both credits may be a Personalized Pathway Requirement**.

**Personalized Pathway Requirements are related courses that lead to a specific post-high-school career or educational outcome chosen by the student based on the student’s interests and High School and Beyond Plan, which may include Career and Technical Education, and are intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning.

College Admission Requirements

Individual colleges makecollege admissions decisions and vary depending on the type of college and other factors. While high school graduation (or the equivalent) is typically required, meeting high school graduation requirements is not the same as meeting college admissions standards. Students are encouraged to contact colleges of interest directly, as admissions processes and requirements vary by institution.

Generally, public colleges and universities in Washington require a minimum of two (2) World Language courses in the same language that meetCollege Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs).Competency-based credits are accepted as CADR courses.

For universities outside Washington, it is advised that you research the college or university’s specific requirements. For a strong foundation in the language, OSPI supports three (3) credits in the same language. Out-of-state institutions may not always accept competency-based credits.

Relevant Revised Codes of Washington (RCWs) and Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) 

RCWs

• RCW 28A.300.575 - Washington state seal of biliteracy
• RCW 28A.230.090 – High school graduation requirements or equivalencies

WACs

• WAC 392-410-350- Seal of Biliteracy
• WAC 392-415-070 - Mandatory high school transcript contents
• WAC 180-51-068 - Graduation Requirements
• WAC 180-51-050 - High school credit - Definition
• WAC 180-51-025 - Local school district application of state requirements
• WAC 392-210-025 - Credits earned in academic core subjects