Policy IKF-2025: Graduation and Diploma Requirements was adopted April 9, 2024. This policy applies graduation, diploma and certificate requirements to students who enter the 9th grade for the first time in the 2025-26 school year and thereafter.
To comply with Colorado State Board of Education graduation standards, the PSD Board of Education adopted graduation requirements in 2017, reflected in District policy IKF-2017. If you have questions about graduation requirements for your student, please contact their high school counselor.
High School Diploma Requirements
To earn a high school diploma, students must earn 240 credits, and complete one option of meeting requirements for a state-approved assessment measure OR a college/career readiness measure. New graduation requirements were adopted by the PSD Board of Education on April 9, 2024. The new requirements apply to the Graduating Class of 2029 and beyond. Current and future guidelines are both listed on this page.
Option A: State-Approved Assessment Measures
Students must meet or exceed minimum scores in mathematics and English on one or more state-approved assessment measures.
Option A example: A student must earn 240 credits and take one of the state-approved assessments, such as the SAT. Students take the SAT exam free of charge during their junior year. They need to score 470 or higher in English and 500 or higher in mathematics.
State-Approved Assessment Options with Scores/Criteria
Learn more about these options on the Assessments / Measures for Graduation web page.
Accuplacer
- English score:
- Classic: 62 on reading or 70 on sentence skills
- Next generation: 241 on reading or 236 on science writing
- Mathematics score:
- Classic: 61 on elementary algebra
- Next generation: 255 on arithmetic (AR) OR 230 on quantitative reasoning, algebra and statistics (QAS)
- English score: 18
- Mathematics score: 19
English and Mathematics: Students must score at the bronze level (a score of at least 3) in all three assessments- Applied Mathematics, Graphic Literacy and Workplace Documents - and they will earn the ACT’s National Career Readiness Certificate.
English and Mathematics: Students must score 2 or higher on any A.P. test
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Battery) Assessment
English and Mathematics: Students must score 31 or higher.
International Baccalaureate Exams
English and Mathematics: Students must score 4 or higher.
- English score: 470
- Mathematics score: 500
Option B: College, Career Readiness Measures
Students must meet one of the state-approved individualized college and career-readiness measures:
- Concurrent Enrollment Course: Passing grade is C or higher
- District Capstone Project: Individualized
- Industry Certificate: Individualized
Option B example: A student must earn 240 credits and earn an industry certificate, such as in the culinary arts. The certification indicates the student is prepared to work in a professional setting after high school.
PSD Core Credit Requirements (Graduating Classes of 2024-2028)
To graduate from a PSD high school any year between now and the 2027-28 school year, students must earn a total 240 credits from these required subject areas:
Language Arts - 40 credits
Oral expression and listening, reading, writing, composition, research and reasoning
Mathematics - 30 credits
Algebra, geometry, data-analysis, and statistics; algebra II recommended
Science - 30 credits
Physical, life and earth-systems sciences (chemistry and/or physics recommended)
Social Studies - 25 credits
Geography, civics, history and economics (must include U.S. History and U.S. Government)
Humanities - 5 credits
Study of literature, history, philosophy and comparative religion, visual and performing arts and culture.
World Language or Culture - 10 credits
World languages; knowledge and understanding of world cultures (two years of a language is recommended)
Fine and Applied Arts - 10 credits
Developing original products, creating such as in art or gourmet food; performing and problem-solving using critical and creative thinking
Wellness - 15 credits
Physical and personal wellness
Financial Literacy - 5 credits
Personal financial literacy
Economics - 5 credits
Micro and macroeconomics
Electives - 65 credits
Student-selected courses in personal interest areas
PSD Core Credit Requirements (Graduating Class of 2029 and beyond)
To graduate from a PSD high school in the 2028-29 school year or later, students must earn a total 240 credits from these required subject areas:
Language Arts - 40 credits
Oral expression and listening, reading, writing, composition, research and reasoning
Mathematics - 30 credits
Algebra, geometry, data-analysis, and statistics; algebra II recommended
Science - 30 credits
Physical, life and earth-systems sciences (chemistry and/or physics recommended)
Social Studies - 30 total credits
Students must take a combination of the following classes:
- 10 credits in U.S. History
- 10 credits in World History
- Five credits in Civics
- Five credits in Social Studies
Fine and Applied Arts - 10 credits
Developing original products, creating such as in art or gourmet food; performing and problem-solving using critical and creative thinking
Wellness - 10 credits
Physical and personal wellness
Financial Literacy - 5 credits
Personal financial literacy
Additional Coursework/Electives - 85 credits
Student-selected courses in personal interest areas. Students are encouraged but not required to include in their additional coursework:
- 10-30 credits in World Language
- 10 credits in Geography
- Five credits in Humanities
- Five credits in Economics
- Five credits in Health or Teen Choices