Graduation Requirements
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Graduation Requirements
Before 2028
In order to graduate, students must successfully complete 26.5 academic credits and must achieve Proficiency on the Keystone exams.
1. The 26.5 Credits must be earned in the following areas:
| Content Area | Non-CTE Students | CTE Students |
| English | 4 credits | 4 credits |
| Science | 4 credits | 3 credits |
| Mathematics (3 required credits: Algebra 1,2 and Geometry) | 4 credits | 4 credits |
|
Social Studies
(with a minimum of 3 credits in Social Studies, the 4th credit may be satisfied by a level 3 course in World Language)
|
4 credits | 3 credits |
| Electives: Academic, Art, Career Development an/or Physical Education | 7 credits | 9 credits |
| Health | 1 credit | 1 credit |
| Physical Education | 2 credits | 2 credits |
| Graduation Project | .5 credits | .5 credits |
2. Pennsylvania Statewide Graduation Requirement (Act 158 of 2018)
Effective with the Pittsburgh Public Schools graduating class of 2023, students have the option to demonstrate postsecondary preparedness through one of four additional pathways that more fully illustrate college, career, and community readiness.
Keystone Exams will continue as the statewide assessment Pennsylvania uses to comply with accountability requirements set forth in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Although students will no longer be required to achieve proficiency on the Keystone Exams in order to meet statewide graduation requirements, students must take the Keystone Exams for purposes of federal accountability.
Five pathways exist for meeting state high school graduation requirements:
- Keystone Proficiency
- Keystone Composite
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator
- Alternative Assessment
- Evidence-Based
More information regarding Act 158 can be found at education.pa.gov.
Class of 2028
In order to graduate, students must successfully complete 26.5 academic credits and must achieve Proficiency on the Keystone exams.
1. The 24.5 Credits must be earned in the following areas:
| Content Area | Non-CTE Students | CTE Students |
| English Language Arts | 4 credits | 4 credits |
| Science-Includes laboratory science (3 required credits: Biology, Physical Science (Chemistry or Physics) Elective Science) | 3 credits |
3 credits |
| Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) | 1 credit | |
| Mathematics (3 required credits: Algebra 1,2 and Geometry) | 3 credits | 3 credits |
|
Social Studies
(4 required credits: Civics, World History ,American History or African American History ,Ethnic Studies)
|
4 credits | 3 credits |
| Personal Financial Literacy | 0.5 credits | 0.5 credits |
| Physical Education (4 semesters, 1 annually in grades 9-12) | 2 credits | 1 credit |
| Health Education (2 semesters) | 1 credit | 1 credit |
| World Languages (1)World Language Courses, (1)World Language (WL) Requirement - Must complete at least Level II in one (1) language (Level I may be taken in MS) | 2 credits | 2 credits |
|
Academic Electives (.5 credits each) |
2 credits | |
| Fine Arts (Eligible options include: visual arts and performing arts) | 2 credits | |
| Career & Technical Education Programs | 9 credits |
2. Pennsylvania Statewide Graduation Requirement (Act 158 of 2018)
Effective with the Pittsburgh Public Schools graduating class of 2023, students have the option to demonstrate postsecondary preparedness through one of four additional pathways that more fully illustrate college, career, and community readiness.
Keystone Exams will continue as the statewide assessment Pennsylvania uses to comply with accountability requirements set forth in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Although students will no longer be required to achieve proficiency on the Keystone Exams in order to meet statewide graduation requirements, students must take the Keystone Exams for purposes of federal accountability.
Five pathways exist for meeting state high school graduation requirements:
- Keystone Proficiency
- Keystone Composite
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Concentrator
- Alternative Assessment
- Evidence-Based
More information regarding Act 158 can be found at education.pa.gov.