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High School Graduation Requirements

STEM ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR FRESHMAN CLASS ENTERING FALL 2015 AND THEREAFTER (CLASS OF 2019 & THEREAFTER)

The STEM Endorsement recognizes students who attend the Effingham STEM Academy and who have completed rigorous STEM focused coursework requiring advanced content, challenging intellectual engagement, daily homework, extensive critical reading and out-of-class research and/or projects.  Students may not have any failing course grades recorded on the high school transcript. Students are recognized at Class Night for earning the STEM Endorsement.  As part of satisfying the high school graduation requirements, students are eligible for the STEM Endorsement by completing the minimum course requirements as outlined below. 

For more information about the Effingham STEM Academy, Click Here.

Graduation Requirements for STEM Endorsement

  Graduating Class of 2021-2024 Units Required Graduating Class of 2025 Units Required Graduating Class of 2026 and thereafter Units Required
Mathematics
(any of the following)
  • Algebra*
  • Geometry*
  • Algebra II or Advanced Algebra*
  • Advanced Mathematical Decision MakingPre-Calculus*
  • Enhanced or Honors Algebra Honors Geometry
  • Honors Algebra II or Honors Advanced Algebra
  • Accelerated or AP Pre-Calculus
  • Calculus
  • AP Calculus A/B
  • AP Calculus B/C
  • AP Statistics
  • Any AP or Dual Enrollment mathematics course
 6 4 5
Science
(any of the following)
  • Biology I*
  • Physical Science*
  • Chemistry*
  • Physics*
  • Zoology*
  • Entomology*
  • Honors Biology I
  • Honors Physical Science
  • Honors Chemistry
  • Honors Biology II
  • Honors Physics
  • AP Biology
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Physics
  • Any AP or Dual Enrollment science course
 5 4 5
English/Language Arts
(any of the following)
  • 9th Grade Literature
  • 10th Grade Literature
  • American Literature
  • British Literature
  • Honors 9th grade Literature
  • Honors 10th grade Literature
  • AP English Language
  • AP English Literature
  • Any AP or Dual Enrollment English course
 4 4 4
Social Studies
(any of the following)
  • World History
  • Government
  • US History
  • Personal Finance and Economics
  • Honors World History
  • AP World History
  • AP Government
  • AP US History
  • AP European History
  • AP Economics
  • AP Human Geography
  • Any AP or Dual Enrollment social studies course
 4 4 4
Modern Foreign Language
  • Sequential foreign language courses
 3 2 2
STEM Pathway Area of Concentration 3 3 3
Scientific Research
  • Scientific Research I
  • Scientific Research II
  • Scientific Research III
  • AP Seminar (can be taken in place of Scientific Research III)
 3 3 3
Health (.5 unit)/Personal Fitness (.5 unit) 1 1 1
Successful Completion of a Virtual STEM Portofolio N/A 3 years 3 years

*Courses do not apply for the STEM Endorsement requirements for the Class of 2024.