Class of 2025, 2026, and 2027 Graduation Requirements

  • Graduation Requirements

    To graduate from a Providence Public School, a student must ① earn at least 21 course credits in certain content areas, ② participate in at least one college and career-readiness exam and ③ complete one diploma-based assessment or approved student project.

  • 1 I High School Course Credit Requirements 

     

    To graduate, students must complete a minimum of 21 Credits as follows:

     

    • 4 English Language Arts
    • 4 Math (recommended sequence Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2)
    • 3 Social Studies
    • 3 Science
    • 2 World Language*
    • 2 PE/Health

    • 0.5 Fine Arts

    • 0.5 Technology
    • Financial Literacy**
    • 2 Additional Credits of Choice

     

    *Exemptions to the World Language requirement for students with disabilities will be determined by IEP teams as appropriate.

     

    **This can be completed through a Personal Finance or other approved course, showing mastery by product for 2024 graduation cohort. 1.5 to 2 additional elective credits will be required for those identified students depending on how the Financial Literacy course is completed.

  • 2 I College and Career Readiness-Based Exam

     

    The tests and assessments listed below measure students’ reading, writing,  and math skills. To graduate, students must complete at least one of the following:

     

    • *PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
    • *SAT ( Formerly the Scholastic Assessment Test, now known simply as SAT )
    • ACT (American College Test)
    • AP (Advanced Placement)

    *State testing requirement

  • 3 I Performance-Based Diploma Assessment

     

    A performance-based diploma assessment consists of a series of multifaceted assignments that serve as a culminating  demonstration of a student’s applied learning skills and knowledge of one or more content areas.

     

    Diploma Options for Students Taking the Rhode Island Alternate Assessment  

    Students eligible for the alternate assessment as noted in the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may receive a diploma by meeting the following graduation requirements:

     

    • Completion of the 21 credits as outlined in Part 1 with modified curriculum
    • Completion of a senior project
    • Participation in the State Alternate Assessment

     

    Appeals Process: Any student who fails to meet the school district's minimum requirements for graduation has the right to appeal that determination. Information on the appeals process can be found in the district's Graduation Requirements Policy at: www.providenceschools.org/graduation.

     

Updated Graduation Policies