Florida offers students multiple pathways to earn their high school diploma, from traditional coursework in public school districts to accelerated programs, Career and Technical Education (CTE) certification, Advanced Placement and AICE programs, or private education supported by ESA funding.
By understanding how these pathways align with Florida’s 24-credit graduation requirements and state testing standards, families can choose the approach that best fits their student’s learning needs and future goals.
This article covers Florida’s specific graduation requirements, explains the benefits of pursuing Scholar or Merit diploma designations, outlines state testing requirements including the Grade 10 FSA and Algebra I EOC, and shows how different educational options can help your student not just graduate, but thrive.
Fusion Academy is a private school with five campuses in Florida, plus an online school, with several academic programs aimed at helping students graduate high school. We use a personalized approach to education, where students can meet all Florida graduation requirements while receiving the individualized support they need to succeed. Learn more here.
Understanding Florida’s 24-Credit Graduation Requirements
Florida requires students to earn a minimum of 24 credits to graduate with a standard high school diploma. The goal is to ensure that all students receive a well-rounded education while providing flexibility for different learning paths and career goals.
Here are a breakdown of the 24 credits required to graduate:
- English Language Arts requires 4 credits with substantial reading and writing components. Students must complete courses that emphasize literature, composition, speech, and language skills. These courses develop critical reading, writing, and communication skills essential for college and career success.
- Mathematics requires 4 credits, including Algebra II or its equivalent. One of these credits must be earned in the student’s final year of high school. Students planning for competitive colleges should consider taking mathematics beyond Algebra II to meet university admission requirements.
- Science requires 3 credits, including one credit of Biology I, two credits of chemistry, physics, earth/space sciences, or other physical sciences, or integrated sciences. At least two of these courses must include laboratory investigations. The lab component ensures students gain hands-on experience with scientific methodology.
- Social Studies requires 3 credits, including 1 credit of World History, 1 credit of United States History, and half a credit of Economics with Financial Literacy. These courses develop civic knowledge and critical thinking about historical and contemporary issues.
- Fine Arts, Career and Technical Education, or Foreign Language requires 1 credit, giving students the flexibility to explore interests or strengthen college preparation.
- Physical Education requires 1 credit, though students may be exempt if they participate in athletics, marching band, or cheerleading for two seasons.
- Elective credits make up 8 of the required 24 credits, providing significant flexibility for students to explore interests, strengthen college preparation, pursue a CTE pathway or take additional courses in core subjects. Many school districts offer specialized elective programs that can lead to industry certifications alongside high school graduation.
Florida’s Diploma Designations and Scholar Designations
Florida offers several diploma designations that can enhance students’ college and career prospects by demonstrating advanced academic achievement.
- Receiving a standard diploma requires the basic 24 credits outlined above and represents the minimum requirements for graduation.
- Getting a scholar designation requires students to earn 1 additional credit in mathematics, 1 additional credit in science, and 2 credits in the same foreign language. This designation demonstrates enhanced academic preparation and is valued by colleges and universities.
- Receiving a merit designation requires completion of at least one advanced course such as Advanced Placement (AP), Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment, or industry certification courses.
Students pursuing scholar or merit designations should monitor their grade point average carefully, as these achievements can significantly strengthen college applications and scholarship opportunities. Check with your school district to understand how these designations are weighted in GPA calculations.
Students can earn multiple designations by meeting all respective requirements, which can significantly strengthen college applications and scholarship opportunities.
The designation system allows students to demonstrate their academic achievements beyond the minimum requirements while pursuing areas of personal interest and career preparation.
Academic Acceleration Options
Florida offers several academic acceleration programs for students who want to graduate early or earn college credit while in high school:
- Academic acceleration (ACCEL) allows students to take courses virtually, through dual enrollment, or earn credit by examination. This can help motivated students complete graduation requirements ahead of schedule or begin earning college credits.
- With dual enrollment, students can take college courses that count for both high school graduation requirements and college credit simultaneously, potentially saving time and money on their post-secondary education.
- With Advanced Placement (AP®) courses, students can take college-level courses in high school. At the end of the year, students can take the AP® exam. Students who score 3 or higher on the exam may earn college credit, depending on the college’s AP credit policy. This can help students graduate college early and pay less overall for college.
Check with your school district to understand which acceleration options are available and how they align with your student’s graduation timeline and college goals.
Required State Testing and Assessment Requirements
In addition to completing 24 credits, Florida students must demonstrate competency through state assessments to receive their diploma. However, the state provides multiple pathways for students to meet these testing requirements, recognizing that students demonstrate knowledge in different ways.
Required Assessments
- Grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) FSA: Students must achieve a passing score on the Grade 10 Florida Standards Assessment in English Language Arts to graduate. The state determines the passing score, which may vary by assessment year. Students who do not pass on their first attempt have multiple opportunities to retake the assessment.
- Algebra I End-of-Course (EOC) Assessment: All students must take the Algebra I EOC assessment. While achieving a passing score is not required for graduation, students who do not pass must continue taking mathematics courses until they earn all 4 required mathematics credits.
Alternative Pathways to Meet Assessment Requirements
Florida recognizes two different pathways to demonstrate competency in English and math assessments:
- Concordant scores: Students can meet ELA assessment requirements through satisfactory performance on the SAT, ACT, or other state-approved assessments. This provides flexibility for students who perform better on college entrance exams than state assessments or simply allows a student to only take one exam instead of three.
- Alternative assessments: Students with disabilities who cannot participate in standard assessments have access to alternative assessments specifically designed to evaluate their knowledge and skills in accessible formats.
Testing Accommodations
For students with learning differences, accommodations available during regular classroom instruction typically apply to state assessments as well. This may include extended time, separate testing locations, assistive technology, or other supports outlined in a student’s IEP or 504 plan, ensuring fair evaluation of their knowledge and skills.
How Fusion Academy Ensures Florida Graduation Requirement Success
Fusion Academy is a fully accredited private school with five campuses throughout Florida: Miami, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Pembroke Pines, and Tampa. We also offer a comprehensive online program through Fusion Global Academy. Our classes start at 4th grade and continue throughout high school.
What makes Fusion Academy unique — and particularly effective for students navigating Florida’s graduation requirements — is our one-to-one learning model, where classes consist of just one teacher and one student. This personalized approach allows us to create customized graduation plans that ensure students meet all 24-credit requirements while addressing individual learning challenges and strengths.
Our model has proven especially beneficial for students with learning differences (including ADHD, dyslexia, and autism), students with anxiety or school avoidance, gifted students who need to move at their own pace, and students who have fallen behind academically in traditional classroom settings.
Our approach delivers measurable results. Among our 2025 graduating class:
- 99% of applicants were accepted to a 4-year college
- 87.5% of Fusion students attended their first-choice college
- 41% received merit scholarships, with an average award of $58,303
Additionally, Fusion students’ achievement scores grow 76% more in a school year than their peers nationally, demonstrating the effectiveness of truly personalized instruction. This 41% figure is based on Fusion students’ year-over-year average MAP growth rate compared to the average MAP growth rate of their national grade-matched peer group.
Beyond academics, after just three months at Fusion, students report feeling more supported— both academically and emotionally—and forming stronger social connections with their peers. You can learn more about this positive change by reading and watching testimonials from parents and students.
At Fusion Academy, students can enroll in:
- Full-time programs for middle school and high school
- Individual classes for credit
- Tutoring sessions, including math and reading remediation programs
- Online learning through Fusion Global Academy
Florida families can also use ESA (Education Savings Account) funds to cover Fusion Academy tuition, making personalized private education more accessible.
To learn more about how we help Florida students meet graduation requirements you can contact us, or keep reading to explore our specific academic programs.
Full Time Programs for High School Students
Fusion’s full-time high school program provides comprehensive education that meets all Florida graduation requirements through completely personalized, one-to-one instruction. Students work with teachers who can adapt each lesson to their learning needs, pace, and interests, while ensuring they complete all 24 required credits.
Students can choose from multiple course types to meet requirements while matching their academic goals:
- Essential courses fulfill high school graduation requirements, while providing additional support and scaffolding.
- College Preparatory courses prepare students for higher education.
- Honors courses offer advanced coursework for students ready for additional challenges.
- AP® courses provide college-level curriculum where students can earn college credit.
This flexibility means a student might take an Essential math course where they need extra support while taking an AP® course in their area of strength — all while meeting Florida’s graduation requirements.
Fusion’s flexible scheduling allows students to create custom schedules that work around other commitments, with campus hours from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. With open enrollment, students can begin at any point during the school year and progress at their own pace rather than waiting for traditional semester breaks, ensuring they stay on track for graduation.
Classes for Credit: Perfect for Students Who Need 1–3 Credits
For high school students who only need a few specific courses to meet Florida’s graduation requirements, Fusion offers individual classes for credit. This is one of our most popular programs for families whose students are on track to graduate but need targeted support in specific areas.
This option is ideal for students who need to:
- Make up credits in courses they previously failed or struggled with
- Retake a course to improve their GPA or better prepare for college
- Get ahead in specific subjects or complete requirements early
- Supplement their current school’s offerings (for example, if their school doesn’t offer a course they need)
The key advantage: students can take just the classes they need while staying enrolled in their current school. There’s no need for a complete school change. A student might attend their regular high school for most of their courses while taking Algebra II at Fusion in the evening or during a free period.
The one-to-one model makes this particularly effective for Florida’s specific requirements. For example:
- A student struggling with the Algebra I EOC assessment can get intensive, personalized support to master the concepts they’re struggling with.
- A student who needs Biology I with a lab can receive hands-on, customized lab experiences tailored to their learning style.
- A student who failed Economics with Financial Literacy can retake it with teaching methods adapted to help them succeed.
Because classes are one-to-one, teachers can immediately identify where a student is struggling and adjust their approach. That could look like slowing down, using different teaching methods, or accommodating learning differences like ADHD or dyslexia.
Tutoring/Mentoring and Remediation
Students who are significantly behind in their studies can access specialized tutoring and remediation programs designed to help them catch up while still meeting Florida’s graduation requirements. The one-to-one model allows teachers to identify exactly where students are struggling and implement evidence-based strategies to address learning gaps.
Fusion offers:
- Subject-specific tutoring in areas like algebra, chemistry, or English.
- A math remediation program for students who are a grade level or more behind in mathematics.
- A reading remediation program for students reading below their grade level, including our Structured Literacy Program for students with significant reading challenges.
Post-Secondary Counseling Services
For Florida families investing in private education, college outcomes matter. Fusion Academy provides post-secondary counseling that not only helps students meet graduation requirements but also position themselves competitively for their next steps.
Full-time Fusion students* receive complimentary advising sessions with our counselors who help with:
- Course selection that meets both Florida graduation requirements and college admission expectations
- Deciding whether to pursue Scholar or Merit designations based on college goals
- Post-secondary planning and timeline review
- Resume creation and building
- SAT/ACT testing timeline
- Scholarship and financial aid applications
- College application review and completion
- Interview preparation
Fusion students have gained admission to top universities including Princeton, Virginia Tech, NYU, MIT, Cornell, and Columbia, proving that personalized education prepares students for competitive college programs.
We also know that not every student follows a conventional college trajectory. Fusion counselors also provide guidance for alternative post-secondary paths, including gap years, vocational schools, military service, and transition programs for students with disabilities. This ensures every student receives appropriate guidance for their individual post-graduation goals.
*Advising sessions can also be purchased separately for non-full-time students.
Online Learning Options
Through Fusion Global Academy, students can meet all Florida graduation requirements entirely online while maintaining the same one-to-one personalized instruction available at our physical campuses. This is ideal for students who need geographic flexibility, have medical considerations, or prefer learning from home.
Online classes can be scheduled between 5:30 AM and 11:30 PM Eastern Time, providing even greater flexibility than our physical campuses. Students work one-to-one with certified teachers via video conferencing, using interactive tools and customized materials designed for their specific learning needs.
Students can also create hybrid schedules that combine in-person classes at one of our Florida campuses with online classes through Fusion Global Academy. For example, a student might take their science class with hands-on labs at our Pembroke Pines campus while completing their English and history courses online. This allows maximum customization while ensuring they complete all required coursework for graduation.
Florida Campus Locations
Fusion Academy currently operates five campuses throughout Florida:
9130 S. Dadeland Blvd.
Suite 102
Miami, FL 33156
- Tel: 305-831-0041
5050 Conference Way N, Suite 110
Boca Raton, FL 33431
- Tel: 561-953-9365
Fusion Academy Palm Beach Gardens
11300 Legacy Avenue, Suite 220
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
- Tel: 561-766-4096
880 Southwest 145th Ave, Suite 110
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
- Tel: 754-223-1128
Fusion Academy Tampa
2909 West Bay to Bay Blvd, Suite 200
Tampa FL 33629
- Tel: 813-358-4628
Contact your nearest campus to learn more about how Fusion Academy can help your student meet Florida’s graduation requirements while receiving the personalized support they need to succeed.
Planning Your Student’s Path to Graduation in Florida
Start by reviewing your student’s current transcript to identify which credits they’ve already earned and which remain outstanding. This assessment provides the foundation for creating a realistic graduation timeline.
Work with school counselors to map out a four-year plan that incorporates both graduation requirements and your student’s interests or career goals. Consider whether pursuing Scholar or Merit designations aligns with your child’s college and career plans.
Monitor progress on required courses annually, paying special attention to students who struggle with traditional classroom environments. Early intervention can prevent students from falling behind and requiring intensive remediation later.
Plan ahead for the Grade 10 ELA FSA and Algebra I EOC assessments by ensuring students receive adequate preparation. Students who struggle with high-stakes testing may benefit from additional support or alternative educational approaches.
Consider your child’s individual learning needs when evaluating whether traditional public schools and standard classroom settings will provide adequate support for meeting graduation requirements. While many school districts offer excellent programs, students with learning differences, anxiety, or other challenges may need more personalized approaches to succeed
Remember that graduation requirements represent minimums. Students planning to attend competitive colleges should exceed these standards with additional advanced coursework, foreign language study, and diploma designations that demonstrate their readiness for higher education.
If your student needs more individualized attention to meet Florida’s graduation requirements — whether that’s enrolling full-time, taking a few classes for credit, or accessing tutoring support — Fusion Academy’s personalized one-to-one approach ensures they receive the targeted help they need to graduate on time while building confidence and skills for success beyond high school. Contact us to learn more.
