High School Diploma
The Washington State High School Diploma is comprised of three components:
- The High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP),
- Credit and subject area requirements, and
- Graduation pathway options.
All NHS students in Grades 7 and up complete a High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) each year. All high school students work toward completing graduation credit and subject area requirements each year. All NHS high school students select a Personalized Graduation Pathway that is connected to individual post-high school goals.
High School Graduation Requirements
| Course Area | WA State and/or New Horizon School Credit Requirements | NHS Course Offerings*** |
| English | 4 credits | English classes are offered based on skill level and ability. • Decoding A-D • Reading Mastery, K-5 • Literature 1-2 • Literary Analysis • Research Lab 1-3 • English 150 A Reading • Expressive Writing 1-2 • English 150 B Writing • Research Lab 1B & 2B Writing • English 200B • Reasoning & Writing • Creative Writing • Functional Writing |
| Math | 3 credits • Algebra 1 or integrated mathematics I • Geometry or integrated mathematics II • A 3rd credit of high school mathematics, aligning with the student’s interests and high school and beyond plan | Math classes are offered based on skill level and ability. • Math K-8 • Algebra 1 • Algebra 2 • Geometry • Pre-Calculus • Calculus • Trigonometry • Physics • Business Math |
| Science | 3 credits • At least 2 lab sciences and a 3rd credit of science based on the student’s interests and high school and beyond plan | • Biology 1 • Biology 2 • Forensic Science Introductory • Forensic Science Advanced • Chemistry • Astronomy • Earth Science • Life Science • Environmental Science • Physics |
| Social Studies | 3 credits • .5 credits in Civics, economics, geography, history, and social studies • 1 credit in US History and government • .5 credit in Washington State history and government may be fulfilled by a student in grades seven or eight • 1 credit in contemporary world history, geography, and problems (courses in economics, sociology, civics, political science, international relations, or related courses with emphasis on current problems may be accepted as equivalencies) | • Washington State History • Consumer Law • Criminal Law • US History • Civics • World History • US Geography • World Geography • History of the Barbarians • History of Technology and Innovation • Military History • Associated Student Body |
| World Language | 2 credits • 2 credits in World Language may be a Personalized Pathway Requirement * | • American Sign Language Year 1 • American Sign Language Year 2 • Spanish Year 1 • Spanish Year 2 |
| Health and Fitness | 2 credits • .5 credit in Health • 1.5 credits in Fitness | • Dance Team • Yoga • Physical Education • Nutrition |
| Arts | 2 credits • The essential content in this subject area may be satisfied in the visual or performing arts • 1 credit in the Arts may be a Personalized Pathway Requirement ** | • Dance Team • Digital Arts & Animation • Fabrication • Set Design • Photography • Live Theatre • Yearbook |
| Career and Technical Education | 1 credit • May be an Occupational Education course that meets the definition of an exploratory course in Career and Technical Education | • Digital Arts & Animation • Fabrication • Forensic Science • Yearbook • Computer Science • Associated Student Body • Cooking |
| Electives | 4 credits | Various Courses |
| TOTAL | 24 credits |
*2 credits in World Language may be a Personalized Pathway Requirement
**1 credit in the Arts may be a Personalized Pathway Requirement
***Note that NHS classes may vary from year to year
Personalized Pathway Requirement
The Personalized Pathway Requirement is a sequence of related NHS courses that lead to a specific post high school career or educational outcome chosen by the student based on individual interests, their High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP), and their Culminating Project. The Personalized Pathway Requirement may include Career and Technical Education (CTE), and is intended to provide a focus for the student’s learning. A student may meet the CTE graduation pathway option by completing a sequence of approved CTE courses at NHS, which:
- may lead to a state or nationally recognized certificate or credential,
- is comprised of a sequenced progression of multiple courses that are technically intensive and rigorous, and
- may lead to workforce entry, a state or nationally approved apprenticeship, or postsecondary education in a related field.
