High School Course Guide
High School Course Guide
Graduation Requirements
At Riverdale High, to qualify for high school graduation, 21 units of credit with a minimum enrollment in seven semesters is required. The high school graduation requirements are designed to be completed in eight semesters (4 years).
A Distinguished Diploma shall be awarded to students who earn 31 credits (to include the 25 credits outlined for a Recognized Diploma) and earn an Associates Degree and/or International Baccalaureate Diploma.
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Course credit comparison: Recognized Diploma vs. Foundational Diploma Credits required in each subject area for the two diploma tracks. Courses Recognized Diploma 25 total credits Foundational Diploma 21 total credits** English College-level English courses may fulfill these credits.* 4.5 credits - English 1 (1 credit)
- English 2 (1 credit)
- English 3 (1 credit)
- English 4 (1 credit)
- Speech, Forensics, or Debate (0.5 credit)
4 credits - English 1 (1 credit)
- English 2 (1 credit)
- English 3 (1 credit)
- English 4 (1 credit)
Math College-level math courses may fulfill these credits.* 4 credits - Algebra 1 (1 credit)
- Geometry (1 credit)
- Algebra 2 (1 credit)
- 4th-year math course (1 credit)
3 credits - Algebra 1 (1 credit)
- Geometry (1 credit)
- Algebra 2 (1 credit)
Social Studies College-level social studies courses may fulfill these credits.* 3 credits - World History (1 credit)
- American History (1 credit)
- American Government (0.5 credit)
- Business Economics (0.5 credit)
3 credits - World History (1 credit)
- American History (1 credit)
- American Government (0.5 credit)
- Business Economics (0.5 credit)
Science College-level science courses may fulfill these credits.* 3 credits Must include 1 credit from life science, 1 credit from physical science, and 1 additional science credit.
3 credits Must include 1 credit from life science, 1 credit from physical science, and 1 additional science credit.
P.E. / Health 1 credit 1 credit Fine Arts 1 credit 1 credit CTE 2 credits Must include Financial Literacy (formerly Consumer Education) (0.5 credit) and Business Communications (0.5 credit).
Courses taken in this area may count toward the six credits of electives.
World Languages College-level world language courses may fulfill these credits.* 2 credits Two years of one language.
Courses taken in this area may count toward the six credits of electives.
Electives 4.5 credits 6 credits Notes
- College-level English, math, social studies, science, and world language courses may fulfill the corresponding subject-area credits shown above.
- The 21-credit Foundational Diploma requires a parent meeting with a counselor.
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Course credit comparison: Recognized Diploma vs. Foundational Diploma Credits required in each area for the two diploma tracks. Courses Recognized Diploma 25 total credits Foundational Diploma 21 total credits Communications College-level English courses may fulfill these credits. -
4 English Credits*
- English 1 (1 credit)
- English 2 (1 credit)
- English 3 (1 credit)
- English 4 (1 credit)
- 0.5 Communication Credit May include speech, debate, forensics, journalism, or public speaking.
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3.5 Credits*
- English 1 (1 credit)
- English 2 (1 credit)
- English 3 (1 credit)
- English 4 (0.5 credit)
- 0.5 Communication Credit May include speech, debate, forensics, journalism, or public speaking.
Society and Humanities College-level social studies courses may fulfill these credits. -
3 Social Studies Credits
- World History (1 credit) or World People Studies (1 credit)
- American History (1 credit)
- American Government (0.5 credit)
- Social Studies Elective (minimum of 0.5 credit)
- 1 Fine Art Credit Fine Arts, which may include art, music, dance, theater, or forensics.
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3 Social Studies Credits
- World History (1 credit) or World People Studies (1 credit)
- American History (1 credit)
- American Government (0.5 credit)
- Social Studies Elective (minimum of 0.5 credit)
- 1 Fine Art Credit Fine Arts, which may include art, music, dance, theater, or forensics.
STEM College-level math courses may fulfill these credits. -
4 Mathematics Credits
- Algebra 1 (1 credit)
- Geometry (1 credit)
- Algebra 2 (1 credit)
- 4th-year math course (1 credit)
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3 Science Credits
- Must include physical, biological, and earth and space science.
- 1 STEM Credit STEM elective may include computer science, advanced math, advanced science, robotics, or advanced technology.
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3 Mathematics Credits
- Algebra 1 (1 credit)
- Geometry (1 credit)
- Algebra 2 (1 credit)
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3 Science Credits
- Must include physical, biological, and earth and space science.
- 1 STEM Credit STEM elective may include computer science, advanced math, advanced science, robotics, or advanced technology.
Employability and Life Skills - 0.5 Health Credit
- 0.5 Physical Education Credit
- 0.5 Financial Literacy Credit Formerly titled Consumer Education.
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7 Additional Credits
- World Languages: two years of one language (2 credits)
- CTE courses in a pathway (2 credits)
- Other courses driven by an Individual Plan of Study (3 credits)
- 0.5 Health Credit
- 0.5 Physical Education Credit
- 0.5 Financial Literacy Credit Formerly titled Consumer Education.
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4.5 Additional Credits
- Other courses driven by an Individual Plan of Study (4.5 credits)
Post-Secondary Assets A Diploma+ and any state asset - Youth Apprenticeships
- 40 or more community service hours
- Client-centered projects (D+ Asset)
- Workplace learning experience directly related to a student's IPS (D+ Asset)
- Industry-recognized certifications (D+ Asset)
- Seal of Biliteracy (D+ Asset)
- ACT composite score of 21 or higher (D+ Asset)
- WorkKeys level of Silver or higher
- 9+ college hours
- State assessment scores of 3 or 4 for Math, ELA, and Science (demonstrating college readiness)
- ASVAB per the requirements of the selected military branch (D+ Asset)
- SAT score of 1200 or higher
- Completing the Board of Regents Curriculum
- International Baccalaureate exam score of 4 or higher
- Advanced Placement exam score of 3 or higher
- CTE Scholar (D+ Asset)
- Eagle Scout or Gold Scout
- Two or more high school athletics/activities
- JROTC
- 95% attendance in high school
- Senior exit interview/senior project
- State officer in any state-level high school organization
A Diploma+ and any state asset - Youth Apprenticeships
- 40 or more community service hours
- Client-centered projects (D+ Asset)
- Workplace learning experience directly related to a student's IPS (D+ Asset)
- Industry-recognized certifications (D+ Asset)
- Seal of Biliteracy (D+ Asset)
- ACT composite score of 21 or higher (D+ Asset)
- WorkKeys level of Silver or higher
- 9+ college hours
- State assessment scores of 3 or 4 for Math, ELA, and Science (demonstrating college readiness)
- ASVAB per the requirements of the selected military branch (D+ Asset)
- SAT score of 1200 or higher
- Completing the Board of Regents Curriculum
- International Baccalaureate exam score of 4 or higher
- Advanced Placement exam score of 3 or higher
- CTE Scholar (D+ Asset)
- Eagle Scout or Gold Scout
- Two or more high school athletics/activities
- JROTC
- 95% attendance in high school
- Senior exit interview/senior project
- State officer in any state-level high school organization
Distinguished Diploma is awarded to students who earn 31 credits (including the 25 credits outlined for a Recognized Diploma) and earn an Associate's Degree and/or an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Notes
- NCAA requires students to take 4 full credits of English. The NCAA will not allow a communication course to replace an English course.
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4 English Credits*
High School Grading Policy
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Grading System Policy from School/Parent Handbook
The purpose of grading shall be to communicate student learning with students and parents/guardians. The communication shall be as such to invite participation within the student’s learning process. Grades shall communicate student learning relative to clearly stated instructional expectations based on the standards of the content. Grades shall be mainly determined by assessments in the form of, but not limited to written tests, essays, science experiments, multimedia presentations, products, performances, works of art, speeches, demonstrations, etc. Daily assignments, class participation, application of skills, etc. can be considered as a portion of the grade.
Report cards for all students shall be sent home and posted in the online gradebook four times a year at the end of a quarter. In addition, progress reports for all students shall be issued at the midpoint of each quarter. Grades shall be updated in the online gradebook each week (approximately 10 per quarter) to keep everyone informed of student progress.
Grading Scale
All student work is based on standards. Grades cannot be explicitly used for reward or punishment. Student performance shall be communicated using the following scale.
The scale for reporting grades in Grades 6 through 12.
- A – 90-100%
- B – 80-89%
- C – 70-79%
- D – 60-69%
- F–59% or below
- I – Incomplete
High School Credit
High school credit for successful completion of outcomes shall be based on the grades determined by the student’s teachers of record for the courses in which the student is enrolled each semester. High school credit shall be awarded for the letter grades of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “P” if in accordance with an approved Pass/Not Passed option. High school credit shall not be awarded for grades of “F” or “I” for incomplete. With the exception of quarter credit classes, all course credits will be issued on a semester basis.
Each high school shall organize its program on the basis of units of credit. “Unit of credit” means one unit of credit earned for satisfactory completion of any approved subject taught for a minimum of one class period for two semesters or two class periods for one semester. One-half unit of credit shall be earned for approved subjects taught for a minimum of one class period for one semester or two class periods for one quarter.
Courses Required for Graduation (Class of 2028 and beyond)
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Graduation Requirements: 4 English Credits*
- English 1 (1 credit)
- English 2 (1 credit)
- English 3 (1 credit)
- English 4 (1 credit)
*NCAA requires students to take 4 full credits of English. The NCAA will not allow a communication course to replace an English course.
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Graduation Requirements: .5 Communication Credit
May include speech, debate, forensics, journalism, public speaking.
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Graduation Requirements: 3 Social Studies Credits
- World History Courses (1 Credit)
- American History Courses (1 Credit)
- American Government (0.5 Credit)
- Social Studies Elective (minimum of 0.5 credit)
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Graduation Requirements: 1 Fine Art Credit
Fine Arts, which may include art, music, dance, theater, forensics.
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Graduation Requirements: 4 Mathematics Credits
- Algebra 1 (1 credit)
- Geometry (1 credit)
- Algebra 2 (1 credit)
- 4th Year Math Course (1 credit)
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Graduation Requirements: 3 Science Credits
Must include physical, biological, and earth and space.
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Graduation Requirements: 1 STEM Credit
STEM elective may include computer science, advanced math, advanced science, robotics, advanced technology.
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Graduation Requirements: .5 Health Credit
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Graduation Requirements: .5 Physical Education Credit
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Graduation Requirements: .5 Financial Literacy Credit
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Graduation Requirements: 7 Additional Credits
- World Languages two years of one language (2 credits)
- CTE courses in a pathway (2.0 credits)
- Other courses driven by IPS (3.0 credits)