Pinellas Pathways to Graduation - Course Requirements

Use the following information to track your progress towards graduation and get help!

As always, ask your School Counselor or Teachers have questions about your course selections.

Let's start with the basics, these are the course requirements for a standard 24 credit diploma:

Graduation Requirements- Standard High School Diploma

• 4 Credits in English

• 4 Credits in Math including Algebra 1 and Geometry

• 3 Credits in Science including Biology 1

• 3 Credits in Social Studies including World History, US

History, Government, and Economics (Economics w/financial Literacy for students entering 9th grade 13-14 and beyond)

• 1 Credit in Fine or Performing Arts, Speech & Debate,

Or approved Practical Arts

• 1 Credit in H.O.P.E. (PE with Health included)

• 8 Credits in Elective Courses

• 1 Course taken in a virtual environment

Must have a 2.0 Cumulative GPA (un-weighted)

The difference is that Pathways recommend you take specific courses.

Did you know that course selection is the most important factor in college admission decisions?

Pathways can help you make sure your courses are aligned to your post-graduation plan.

Advanced Scholar Pathway

This course of study includes a rigorous level of required and elective courses that best prepare students seeking admittance to competitive four-year universities both in and out of state. This includes all students pursuing an AICE and IB diploma.

9th Grade

• English 1 or 2 Honors
• Advanced Placement Human Geography
• Geometry Honors or Algebra 2 Honors
• Biology 1 Honors
• World Language 1, 2 or 3
• Fine, Performing or Practical Arts elective (including many options in Career/Technical courses)
• Elective

10th Grade

• English 2 or 3 Honors, or Advanced Placement English 3 Language and Composition
• Advanced Placement World History
• Algebra 2 Honors or Pre-Calculus
• Chemistry 1 Honors or Physics 1 Honors
• World Language 2, 3 or 4
• H.O.P.E. (PE/Health)
• Elective

11th Grade

• English 3 or 4 Honors, or Advanced Placement English 3 Language and Composition, or Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
• Advanced Placement US History
• Pre-Calculus , Advanced Placement Calculus, or Advanced Placement Statistics
• Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Biology, Chemistry 1 Honors or Physics 1 Honors
• World Language 3, 4 or 5, or Advanced Placement World Language
• 2 Electives

12th Grade

• English 4 Honors, Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, or Dual Enrollment course
• US Government Honors or Advanced Placement US Government
• Economics Honors or Advanced Placement Micro/Macro Economics
• Advanced Placement level math or upper level college math (placement test required)
• Advanced Placement Science
• World Language 4 or 5, or Advanced Placement World Language
• 2 Electives

College Pathway (Scholar) 

This course of study includes a rigorous level of required and elective courses that best prepare students for entry into a college or four year university both in and out of state.

9th Grade

• English 1 or 2 Honors
• Algebra 1 or Geometry Honors
• Social Science Honors or Advanced Placement Human Geography
• Earth Space Science or Biology 1 Honors
• World Language 1, 2, or 3
• Fine, Performing or Practical Arts elective (including many options in Career/Technical courses)
• Elective

10th Grade

• English 2 or 3 Honors
• Geometry Honors or Algebra 2 Honors
• World History, World History Honors, or Advanced Placement World History
• Biology 1 or Biology 1 Honors, Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Honors
• World Language 2, 3 or 4
• H.O.P.E. (PE/Health)
• Elective

11th Grade

• English 3 or 4 Honors, Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, or Dual Enrollment Composition 1
• Algebra 2 Honors, Pre-Calculus, or College Algebra
• US History Honors or Advanced Placement US History
• Chemistry 1 Honors, Physics 1 Honors, Marine Science Honors, Anatomy & Physiology Honors, or Advanced Placement Science
• World Language 3, 4 or 5
• 2 Electives

12th Grade

• English 4 Honors, Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, or Dual Enrollment Composition 1 or 2
• Pre-Calculus, Advanced Placement Statistics, or Advanced Placement Calculus
• US Government, US Government Honors, or Advanced Placement US Government
• Economics, Economics Honors, or Advanced Placement Macro/Micro Economics
• Physics Honors, Anatomy & Physiology Honors, or Advanced Placement Science
• World Language 4 or 5, or Advanced Placement World Language
• 2 Electives

Technical/College Pathway (Merit)

This course of study offers the opportunity for students to challenge themselves in specific academic and elective areas of interest, earn nationally recognized industry certifications, and pursue entry into a post- secondary technical school or state college.

9th Grade

• English 1 or English 1 Honors
• Algebra 1, Geometry or Geometry Honors
• Social Science or Social Science Honors
• Earth Space Science or Biology 1 Honors
• Fine, Performing or Practical Arts elective
• World Language 1, 2 or 3
• Career/Technical Education Course

10th Grade

• English 2 or English 2 Honors or Access English 1/2
• Geometry, Geometry Honors, or Algebra 2 Honors
• World History, World History Honors, or Advanced Placement World History
• Biology 1 or Biology 1 Honors, Chemistry 1 or Chemistry 1 Honors
• World Language 1, 2 or 3
• H.O.P.E (PE/Health)
• Career/Technical Education Course

11th Grade

• English 3, English 3 Honors, Composition 1, or Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
• Algebra 2 , Algebra 2 Honors, Pre-Calculus, or Advanced Placement Statistics
• US History, US History Honors, or Advanced Placement US History
• Marine Science, Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry 1 , Physics 1, or Advanced Placement Science
• Career/Technical Education Course or PTEC Dual Enrollment Courses
• 2 Electives or World Language 2, 3 or 4

12th Grade

• English 4, English 4 Honors, Composition 1 & 2, or Advanced Placement English 4
• Pre-calculus, College Algebra, or Advanced Placement Math
• US Government, US Government Honors, or Advanced Placement US Government
• Economics, Economics Honors, or Advanced Placement Macro/Micro Economic
• Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, Physics, Physics Honors, or Advanced Placement Science
• Career/Technical Education Courses or PTEC Dual Enrollment Courses
• 2 Electives

Resources and Support 

Clever

Clever is an easy way for you to access all of the learning applications you use at school with a single username and password (which is your PCS credentials). https://clever.com/

• Online Digital Textbooks for student's core subjects
• Khan Academy
• Istation
• ST Math
• Teengagement
• SATpractice.org

Homework Help

If your student is struggling with a course or standard within a course, we highly recommend you reach out to your school and the teacher first. Pinellas County Schools offer a variety of extended learning and tutoring options and your student’s teacher is always the best resource for understanding student struggles and providing academic support.

Visit www.pcsb.org/homeworkhelp

Personalized Learner Pathway

This is a platform that allows students to see a snap shot of important pieces of their academic life. It is accessible anytime, anywhere.

• An "About Me" section that acts like a resume builder and a place for students to list who is on their academic support team.
• Included Personalized Math and English lessons built by Pinellas County School teachers.
• Credits and GPA of student as it relates to grade promotion or graduation.
• A College and Career Readiness section that displays SAT/ACT scores, Industry Certifications, and Advanced Coursework that the student has completed.