What is a High School Diploma?

A High School Diploma* is the official certificate awarded to students in the United States when they complete their secondary education, usually from Grade 9 to Grade 12 (ages 14–18, UK Y10-13).

It shows that a student has met at least the minimum academic requirements set by their state’s education department, private school or umbrella school.

There are no universal number of requirements (the minimum is set by the state or school) but students generally need to earn passing grades in:

• English (four years)

• Mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, etc.)

• Science (e.g. Biology, Chemistry)

• Social Studies/History (e.g. World History, Economics, Human Geography)

• Physical Education

• Electives (e.g. Art, Music, Foreign Language, Technology)

Students accumulate number of credits (e.g. 20–24 depending on those state or umbrella school requirements) across different subjects, with one full-year course in one subject usually counting as 1 credit. (This works out as ~6/7 credits a year.)

*[Please note that a HSD is not the same as a GED. The GED (General Educational Development) is a separate test for those who didn’t finish high school traditionally, or dropped out during their teens, but who want to demonstrate academic ability in core subjects.]