California’s typical high school graduation requirements are 220 credits across seven subject areas. Understanding what this means in practice and grasping the different programs and diploma types will help you plan your child’s path to graduation. This can make the difference between graduating on time and with confidence, and needing to make up credits in their senior year.
This article explains California high school graduation requirements in detail, looking at:
- California’s minimum graduation requirements
- How the minimum graduation requirements differ from the requirements in some school districts, and how they relate to the A-G requirements of colleges in the state
- California’s diploma designations and what’s required to earn one of the three State Seals on a high-school transcript
We’ll also look at Fusion Academy, a fully accredited private school for grades 4–12 with nearly 30 campuses in California. Fusion uses a one-to-one teaching model, and students can take as many classes as they need — full-time, part-time, in person, or online — to meet California’s graduation requirements. Contact us for more information.
Understanding California’s Graduation Requirements
Let’s start with a breakdown of the minimum graduation requirements for high school students, as laid out by the California Department of Education (CDE).
California requires students to take at least 13 classes across grades 9–12 to graduate from high school. To count toward a high school diploma, these classes must be at the college-preparatory, honors, or AP level.
As in other states, each class the student takes earns them credits. Californian students can expect to earn 10 credits per year in each class.
To give an idea of the workload involved, these expectations are generally based on 50 minutes per class, five days a week for the full school year (i.e., two semesters).
However, unlike states like Florida and Texas, California does not have standardized high school exit examinations. The CAASPP is taken in 11th grade and measures students’ performance in English, math, science, and Spanish, along with their college readiness, but it doesn’t count toward their diploma.
The classes cover a wide range of subject areas, which gives each member of a graduating class a strong foundation for further study or their future career. Specifically, students must complete:
- Three years of English, earning 30 credits for their diploma.
- Two years of math, earning 20 credits. The math requirements include an Algebra 1 class. If students have already completed Algebra 1 in middle school, they still have to take two years of math in high school. Beginning in 2030, California will also require 5 math credits to focus on personal finance.
- Two years of science, earning 20 credits. Science classes must cover both the biological and physical sciences.
- Three years of social studies, earning 30 credits.The social sciences requirements also cover a broad range of subjects, including U.S. and world history, culture, and geography. Students also take a mandatory one-semester course in American government and civics, and a one-semester course in economics.
- One year of visual or performing arts, world languages, or CTE (Career Technical Education), earning 10 credits. Classes in Latin, ASL, and modern foreign languages can all meet the world language requirements.
- Two years of physical education, earning 20 credits.
It’s important to note that these are the minimum state requirements for graduation. In practice, local graduation requirements are often higher. Most high school districts actually require 220 credits to graduate, and some schools require as many as 260.
The remaining 90+ credits a student needs come from either electives, where they explore their interests or deepen their knowledge of the course of study they want to pursue in college, or mandatory courses set by their school.
For example, some high schools require a fourth year of English Language Arts or a class in computer technology. Some schools also offer classes for credit that allow students to earn an industry certification in their senior year.
California’s A-G Subject System
When high school students have their sights set on college, it’s important to be aware of both the minimum high school graduation requirements and the A-G subject requirements used by California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC).
These colleges both code high school classes A-G and require high school students to complete classes in each category to meet their admissions requirements.
The subject codes are:
- A: History, which must cover world history, world cultures or historical geography, and US history and civics.
- B: English, which must include four years of college preparatory English, covering writing, classic literature, and modern literature.
- C: Mathematics, which must cover Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and geometry. UC also recommends a fourth year of math to fully prepare students for college.
- D: Science, which must include two of biology, chemistry, or physics. A third year of science is recommended, and computer science, engineering, and applied science courses can count toward this.
- E: Modern language, where two years of a language other than English are required.
- F: Visual and Performing Arts, where one year of dance, music, theater, fine arts, visual arts, or interdisciplinary arts can count toward the course requirements.
- G: A college-preparatory elective.
As you can see, there are some differences between the minimum graduation requirements and the entrance requirements of the biggest colleges in California.
For example, while the minimum requirements include either visual and performing arts or modern languages, the A-G requirements include both. When students are choosing their electives, it’s important to be aware of these differences to make sure they don’t overlook an important class.
Pathways to Graduation in California
The requirements we discussed above are enough to earn a traditional high-school diploma. There are also other pathways to graduation in California, which have been put in place to help students whose circumstances make it harder to complete all the classes that are required for the traditional diploma.
- The Expanded Options for Specific Populations diploma.Students who have a foster background, who are unhoused, or who have recently immigrated are eligible for this pathway. It still requires the 130 core credits in English, math, science, social science, physical education, and the arts or CTE, but students do not need to complete an elective.
- The Alternate Pathway to a District Diploma. This is a common option in special education schools. Students with a cognitive disability, an IEP, and who are eligible to take the California Alternate Assessment can graduate from high school with this diploma.
- The Certificate of Completion. This pathway recognizes the achievements of students with disabilities who have completed modified coursework and met the educational goals laid out in their IEP.
In addition to offering different diploma types, California schools can affix seals to diplomas to recognize a student’s special achievements (similar to the high school endorsement options in some other states).
- The Golden State Seal Merit Diploma recognizes students who have mastered at least six subjects (English language arts, math, science, US history, and two electives).
- The State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages, in addition to English.
- The State Seal of Civic Engagement recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in civics education and participation, understanding the U.S. Constitution and the California Constitution and the system of government.
How Fusion Academy Ensures California Graduation Requirement Success
Fusion Academy is a private school for grades 4–12 with 80+ campuses in the U.S. — including throughout California — and a private online school, Fusion Global Academy.
Unlike traditional high schools, Fusion teaches one-to-one or in small groups of 2–5 students. This means classes can be adapted to what each student needs — from the pacing and depth to the materials the teacher selects.
High school students can enroll at Fusion in different ways:
- Full-time study, either in-person at one of our campuses, online, or through a hybrid mix of both.
- Individual classes for credit, which they can take alongside their studies at their current school.
- Targeted tutoring, mentoring, or remediation programs. These classes can help students catch up or improve their grade in a subject that’s crucial to their diploma or college admission.
Our one-to-one learning model has particular benefits for high school students whose path to graduation isn’t straightforward. Our focus on personalization and our low student-to-teacher ratio mean we can meet students where they’re at, ensuring they graduate not only with the minimum state requirements but also with any additional credits or classes they need for their first-choice college application.
For example:
- Students who want an accelerated path to their high-school diploma can enroll in new classes when they’ve mastered the material, and not just when the new school year begins. This means motivated or gifted students can complete coursework faster than a traditional school calendar allows and then move on to exploring a subject in greater depth.
- Students who are missing credits can take one or two classes at Fusion to make them up while remaining enrolled in their current high school. Fusion Academy and Fusion Global Academy are accredited, so schools, colleges, and employers recognize the credits students earn through our classes.
- Students who have their sights firmly set on a particular path in college can take AP® classes and more specialized courses, and earn an Endorsement on their transcript to show their commitment to a particular area of study and strengthen their college application.
- Students with learning differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia, who often thrive in a new environment adapted to how they learn. At Fusion, teachers can adjust course pacing, integrate a student’s interests, and use evidence-based strategies to support their understanding.
This approach has been particularly effective for students aiming to attend college. Out of Fusion’s 2025 graduating class:
- 99% of applicants were accepted to a four-year college
- 87.5% attended their first-choice college
- 41% received merit scholarships, with an average award of $58,303.
Additionally, Fusion students’ achievement scores (measured by year-over-year average MAP growth rate) grew 76% more in a school year than their peers nationally, demonstrating the effectiveness of personalized education.
For learners in California, we have almost 30 campuses spanning the Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.
Find your nearest campus here, or keep reading to learn more about our education programs.
Full-Time Programs for High-School Students
For students who want to switch high schools and enroll at Fusion full-time, our campuses offer over 300 courses designed to provide a well-rounded education that develops their strengths and prepares them for college or their career.
These courses include:
- Essential courses, which fulfill graduation requirements and offer students some additional support and scaffolding.
- College preparatory courses that prepare students for college.
- Honors courses with advanced coursework.
- AP® courses with a college-level curriculum.
Students can take a mix of different course levels during their time at Fusion. For example, if science is not their favorite, they could enroll in an essential course in both biological and physical science to fulfill graduation requirements, while taking honors or AP® courses in the social studies classes they’re interested in studying in college.
In addition to flexibility in terms of course load, Fusion also offers very flexible scheduling.
Our campuses in California are open from 7:30 AM–7:30 PM. Evening classes are possible virtually through Fusion Global Academy, our fully accredited private online middle school and high school where students learn live from their teacher. This means students can schedule their classes at the time of day when they learn best, and take a full course load without sticking to a traditional schedule.
Individual Classes for Credit
Not every student needs to enroll at Fusion full-time, and many students in California join us for just one or two classes. The option to take individual classes for credit is for students who want to:
- Make up credits to meet California’s graduation requirements and pick up their diploma on schedule
- Retake a class to improve their GPA
- Supplement the classes they take at their current school, particularly with AP® classes, languages, or specialized electives that aren’t generally available in public high schools
- Take a subject connected to what they want to study in college, including elective classes in biotechnology, business, law, and robotics.
The key advantage here is that students can stay enrolled in their current school, while still receiving focused, often one-to-one instruction from their teachers at Fusion.
Tutoring and Remediation
For students who have fallen behind their grade level, Fusion offers structured tutoring and remediation programs designed to close that gap and build their confidence in the subject. For many students, remediation programs are a turning point, where the targeted instruction builds their skills and confidence and helps them thrive in every area of their learning.
Students can attend Fusion in person or online for tutoring in subjects such as algebra, chemistry, English, or languages. Each session is personalized to address the student’s specific gaps and adjusted to match how they learn best.
Our tutoring and remediation programs are based on a hybrid model, so students aren’t simply working through modules alone. Teachers pair direct instruction with adaptive learning platforms, like the ALEKS math program. Using a hybrid model — 50% time with the teacher, and 50% with ALEKS — the teacher works with the student and uses ALEKS to generate problems at the right level so as to challenge them without overwhelming them.
We also offer two remediation programs in English — another key graduation requirement in California:
- The Reading Skills and Strategies program, which combines the Lexia PowerUp Literacy program with direct instruction from the tutor, for students in the 15th–40th percentile.
- The Structured Literacy program, based on the Orton-Gillingham method, which is a multisensory approach to reading instruction that teaches students the relationships between letters and sounds through sight, hearing, touch, and movement.
Fusion also offers a study skills tutoring package where teachers mentor students on organization, stress management, and study strategies. By taking this class in high school, students can gain skills that improve their GPA and help them make a smoother transition to college, where far more will be expected of them in terms of executive function and independent study.
Fusion can tutor in any core or elective subject in their course catalog, or students can bring their own curriculum. Various tutoring packages are available, including an introductory 5-pack.
Post-Secondary Counseling Services
One of the most intense parts of a student’s high school journey can be deciding what comes after graduation. Throughout high school, Fusion’s post-secondary counseling services can support students, advise them, answer questions, and help them prepare for life after high school.
Students can schedule live video sessions with Fusion’s college counselors to help with course and extracurricular selection, school exploration, resume and essay prep, SAT and ACT testing timelines, and interview preparation.
Fusion students have been accepted into top national universities, liberal arts colleges, and visual and performing arts schools, including UCLA, Stanford, USC, and UC San Diego.
If a student isn’t sure that college is for them, or if they have a clear idea that they want to pursue a different career path, our counselors can also advise them on:
- Gap years
- Vocational schools
- Military service
- Transition programs for students with disabilities
This comprehensive approach means every student who attends Fusion gets personalized, knowledgeable guidance on the next steps they need to take.
Find the Right California High School for Your Student
We hope this guide has clarified California’s graduation requirements and given you a sense of the pathways available to your student.
If Fusion Academy sounds like it could be a good fit — whether you’re considering a full-time program, individual classes to fill in credits, or tutoring to catch up — reach out. To learn more, find your nearest campus, or speak with an admissions advisor, contact us today.
- Address: 811 University Ave., Suite 100, Berkeley, CA 94710
- Phone: 510-292-4104
- Address: 19638 Stevens Creek Blvd, Suite 230, Cupertino, CA 95014
- Phone: 408-663-5260
- Address: 50 University Ave., Suite A300, Los Gatos, CA 95030
- Phone: 408-354-0743
- Address: 1600 Los Gamos Drive Lobby D, Suite 380, San Rafael, CA 94903
- Phone: 415-472-1421
- Address: 2191 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA 94303
- Phone: 650-857-0634
- Address: 4301 Hacienda Dr., Suite 120, Pleasanton, CA 94588
- Phone: 925-623-5433
- Address: 1160 Battery Street, Suite 40, San Francisco, CA 94111
- Phone: 415-765-9078
- Address: 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 128, San Mateo, CA 94403
- Phone: 650-312-8305
Fusion Academy San Mateo Foster City
- Address: 1840 Gateway Dr., Suite 100, San Mateo, CA 94404
- Phone: 650-539-0240
- Address: 3003 Oak Road, Suite 150, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
- Phone: 925-296-0053
Fusion Academy Walnut Creek Downtown
- Address: 101 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 150, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
- Phone: 925-948-8992
- Address: 420 Palladio Parkway, Suite 1717, Folsom, CA 95630
- Phone: 916-353-2800
Fusion Academy Los Angeles Miracle Mile
- Address: 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Promenade One, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Phone: 323-692-0603
Fusion Academy Los Angeles West LA
- Address: 1640 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Phone: 310-445-2516
- Address: 550 Deep Valley Dr., Suite 250, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
- Phone: 310-651-8284
- Address: 825 Colorado Blvd., Suite 118, Los Angeles, CA 90041
- Phone: 323-258-2012
Fusion Academy Pasadena Downtown
- Address: 35 N. Lake Ave, Suite 160, Pasadena, CA 91101
- Phone: 626-500-0050
- Address: 510 State Street, Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Phone: 805-292-9658
- Address: 1601 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 260, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
- Phone: 310-376-5139
- Address: 21650 Oxnard Street, Suite 100, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
- Phone: 818-712-9521
Fusion Academy Westlake Village
- Address: 30700 Russell Ranch Road, Suite 175, Westlake Village, CA 91362
- Phone: 805-852-1695
- Address: 120 Vantis Dr., Suite 100, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
- Phone: 949-348-0608
- Address: 3111 N. Tustin Street, Suite 240, Orange, CA 92865
- Phone: 714-905-5412
Fusion Academy Huntington Beach
- Address: 7711 Center Ave, Suite 120, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
- Phone: 657-200-2300
- Address: 23456 Madero, Suite 140, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
- Phone: 949-716-7384
- Address: 18881 Von Karman Ave, Suite 900, Irvine, CA 92612
- Phone: 949-630-0335
- Address: 5060 Shoreham Place, Suite 130, San Diego, CA 92122
- Phone: 858-677-9279
Fusion Academy San Diego Scripps Ranch
- Address: 9915 Mira Mesa Blvd., Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92131
- Phone: 858-549-6290
- Address: 512 Via De La Valle, Suite 201, Solana Beach, CA 92075
- Phone: 858-792-2300
Planning Your Student’s Path to Graduation in California
Start by reviewing your student’s transcript to identify which credits they have already earned and which are still outstanding. This gives you a clear picture of what remains and how much flexibility there is for electives and college-prep courses.
Work with school counselors to map out a plan that accounts for both the state’s minimum graduation requirements and the A–G requirements if your student is aiming for a UC or CSU campus. These two sets of requirements overlap but are not identical, and planning early avoids a scramble over a missing course in senior year.
Pay attention to elective choices. The state minimum requires one year of visual or performing arts, world languages, or CTE, but the A–G system requires both visual/performing arts and two years of a world language. Students who only follow the state minimums may find they are short a requirement when they apply to college.
For students who are behind on credits, address it early. Making up one or two courses as a junior is manageable. Trying to recover a full year of credits as a senior is stressful and limits options. Consider whether your student’s current school environment is giving them what they need, or whether a different approach — smaller classes, flexible scheduling, one-to-one instruction — would help them get back on track.
If your student needs more individualized attention to meet California’s graduation requirements — whether that means enrolling full-time, taking a few classes for credit, or working with a tutor in a specific subject — Fusion Academy’s one-to-one model is built for exactly that. Contact us to learn more.
