Credit Blueprint Slides
9th Grade Counseling Workshop
Class of 2030 Roadmap
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The High School
Credit Blueprint
How high school credits work, what you need to graduate, and how your 8-course schedule keeps you on track.
24.0 Credits
Required to Graduate
8 Classes / Sem
8.0 Potential Credits / Year
Day 1 Starts Now
Freshman Year Counts
Credit Fundamentals
What Exactly Is a Credit?
1.0 Credit
Full-Year Course
Earned by passing both semesters of a year-long class (e.g., English 1 or Algebra I) with a grade of D or higher.
2 Semesters Passed
0.5 Credit
Semester Course
Earned by completing and passing a one-semester class (e.g., Health, Personal Finance, or a Semester Elective).
1 Semester Passed
0.0 Credit
Failed Course (F)
If you fail a required course, no credit is earned. You must retake the class.
Credit Must Be Recovered
Your Enrollment: You take 8 classes per semester (4.0 credits earned per semester = 8.0 credits per year).
8 Classes on Schedule
Graduation Equation
The 24-Credit Big Picture
Goal: 24.0 Total Credits
Target Total
24
Credits to Graduate
8 courses / sem = 8.0 Credits / Year
14
Core Academic Credits
English 4.0 • Math 4.0 • Science 3.0 • Social Studies 3.0
14.0
04
Department Specific Credits
PE 1.0 • Practical Arts 1.0 • Fine Arts 1.0 • Health 0.5 • Personal Finance 0.5
4.0
06
Electives
General Electives 6.0
6.0
Enrolled in 8 classes per semester (8.0 credits/year) provides 32 potential credits over 4 years!
Category 1 of 3
Core Academic Requirements (14.0 Credits)
14.0 of 24.0 Total
English Language Arts
4.0
Pre-AP/English 1 English 2 English 3 2 English Electives
Mathematics
4.0
Foundations/Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Advanced Math
Science
3.0
Biology Chemistry Physics PBS
Social Studies
3.0
World History U.S. History Government
Counselor Note: 4-year universities strongly recommend taking a 4th year of science and continuous advanced math.
14.0 Core Credits
Category 2 of 3
Department Specific Credits (4.0 Credits)
4.0 of 24.0 Total
1.0 Credit
Physical Education
PE A and PE B
Lifelong Fitness & Health
1.0 Credit
Practical Arts
Hands-on career skills: business, IT, robotics, culinary, woodshop, or engineering.
Career & Technical Skills
1.0 Credit
Fine Arts
Creative expression: studio art, band, choir, orchestra, theater, or ceramics.
Visual & Performing Arts
Health Education
Wellness, physical and mental health, substance education
0.5 Credit
1 Semester
Personal Finance
Real-world money management: budgeting, credit scores, taxes, and investing.
0.5 Credit
1 Semester
5 specific graduation requirements building essential real-world independence and health. Total: 4.0 Credits
Category 3 of 3
General Electives (6.0 Credits)
6.0 of 24.0 Total
World Languages
College Prep
Spanish, French, German, or ASL. Most 4-year colleges require 2 consecutive years of the same language!
Counts toward 6.0 Elective Credits
Career Pathways (CTE)
Job Ready
Computer science, healthcare, digital media, business, engineering, and trades certifications.
Industry skills & credentials
Extra Department Credits
Automatic Roll-Over
Once you meet your specific department requirements (like Fine Arts or PE), all additional credits in those areas count toward general electives!
Fills your 6.0 general elective bucket
Leadership & Passions
High School Life
Yearbook, journalism, debate, sociology, psychology and North Tech classes.
Explore your genuine interests & career goals
Any additional class taken beyond required credits automatically fills your 6.0 elective credits! 6.0 Credits Required
On-Track Progression
Your 4-Year Credit Pacing Tracker
8 Classes / Semester (8.0 Credits / Year)
YOU ARE HERE
9th Grade
Freshman Year
8.0
Available Credits
Pass all 8 enrolled classes to build a strong GPA and secure a solid head start on graduation.
On Track: 6.0 – 8.0
10th Grade
Sophomore Year
16.0
Cumulative Target
Halfway milestone! Completing your 8 sophomore classes puts you two-thirds of the way to 24 credits.
On Track: 12.0 – 16.0
11th Grade
Junior Year
24.0
Cumulative Target
Passing all courses through 11th grade hits 24 total credits—giving you huge freedom senior year.
On Track: 18.0 – 24.0
12th Grade
Senior Year
32.0
Potential Total
Take college dual credit, advanced electives, or internships while easily crossing the graduation stage!
Walk the Stage!
With 8 classes per semester (8.0 credits/year), you have an 8-credit safety cushion above the 24 required!
32 Total Potential Credits
Freshman Success Playbook
3 Golden Rules for 9th Graders
Counselor Advice
01
Every Class Matters
Unlike middle school, high school courses don't average over the full year. December and May semester grades are final on your transcript. Every class is key in keeping your GPA up and earning your credits.
Protect your GPA daily
02
Attendance Is Important
State law and school policy require minimum seat time. Excessive unexcused absences can cause credit loss even if you have passing work.
Show up every period
03
Ask for Help Early
Managing 8 classes requires commitment, planning, and organization. Please check Infinite Campus and communicate with your teachers regularly.
Credit Blueprint Exit Ticket
Freshman Counseling Class of 2030
Credit Blueprint Exit Ticket
Check for Understanding
Student Name:
Date:
Period / Block:
1
What is the minimum number of total credits required to graduate from high school?
A) 16.0 Credits
B) 20.0 Credits
C) 24.0 Credits
D) 32.0 Credits
2
Write the exact credit amount earned for each scenario (e.g., 1.0, 0.5, or 0.0):
Passing both semesters of a full-year class:
Credit(s)
Passing a single one-semester class:
Credit(s)
Earning an "F" grade in a course:
Credit(s)
3
Core Academic Requirements: How many credits are required in each subject area?
English Language Arts:
Mathematics:
Science:
Social Studies:
4
Your schedule includes 8 classes each semester. How many total credits can you earn per school year if you pass all of your classes?
A) 4.0 Credits
B) 6.0 Credits
C) 8.0 Credits
D) 10.0 Credits
5
Counselor Golden Rules: Real-World Scenario
Short Answer
A classmate tells you: "Freshman fall semester grades don't really matter because high school averages your full year grade like middle school does." Based on Counselor Rule #1, explain why this statement is false and what happens to semester grades and credits.
I understand how to check my grades on Infinite Campus and know that every semester counts toward graduation.
Counseling Dept