High school is an exciting and new opportunity for students to explore their interests and grow into themselves as young adults. But with the opportunity comes a lot of requirements, and sometimes those requirements aren’t easy to understand at first glance.

Among other to-dos for graduation, high schools require students to earn a certain number of credits to qualify for graduation. So how do credits work in high school? This guide will help understand 1) what credits are and 2) how you can earn them. Let’s get started!

For every course a high school student completes, they earn a certain number of credits. When they reach the minimum credit requirement and complete other to-dos for graduation, they are able to obtain their high school diploma.

The number of credits a student earns for each course varies. Generally, courses are going to be worth .5 or 1 credit.

• Typically, single semester courses are worth .5 credits.
• Full year (two-semester) courses are generally worth 1 credit. 
• Honors, AP, or dual credit courses may be worth more, such as 1.25 or 1.5 credits.

In the United States, the average minimum credit requirement for high school graduation is 22, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In addition to reaching that threshold, students also have to have a certain number of credits in different areas of study. The average number of required credits by subject area is below:

• 4 English credits
• 3 mathematics credits
• 3 science credits
• 4 social studies credits
• 1 physical education credit
• 7 other credits

Again, the numbers provided above are averages, not actual numbers. The number of credits needed to graduate depends on the state and school district, so you should check with your school district to understand the minimum credit requirements for your local high school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I graduate early if I earn my credits in less than four years?

You may be able to graduate from high school early if you earn all of your credits early and meet other minimum graduation requirements. Some states have a minimum graduation age, usually around 16, and may require exit exams and other to-dos. Check with your district to see if early graduation is a possibility and what you’d need to do to make it happen. 

What if I don’t take enough credits?

If you don’t take enough credits, you won’t be able to graduate. Talk with your guidance counselor to see if you are on track to graduate and work together to build a plan to ensure you get all of your credits in. 

What are elective credits?

Graduation requirements typically require a handful of elective credits, but there are no specific courses you have to take to fulfill those credits. Each school has its own lineup of electives, which often include things like art, foreign languages, band, choir, creative writing, and more. Electives are a great way to explore your interests while working toward graduation.

What happens if I fail a class?

If you fail a class, you will not receive credit for it. You will have to retake the class or earn the credit through a credit recovery program. 

How Do You Earn Credits in High School?

Most students earn their high school credits in the classroom. Every year, students get a new class schedule, and if they pass all of their classes at the end of their four years, they should have everything they need to graduate. But what about students who don’t pass their courses and need to make up their credits? Learners who want to graduate early or want to lighten their load during the regular school year? Good news — there are ways to earn credits outside of the traditional classroom.

Summer School

Many school districts offer summer school opportunities both for students who need to retake classes and those who want to get ahead. Summer school classes are courses held during the summer, and they are typically accelerated courses, since summer is only about two months compared to around ten months of a regular school year.

Dual Enrollment

Some high schools offer dual enrollment opportunities, oftentimes with community colleges. Dual enrollment classes allow high school students to earn high school and college credits at the same time. Some students will even graduate from high school with an associate degree because of the number of college credits they were able to take while still in high school. 

Depending on the dual enrollment institution, courses can be taken online, on the college campus, or at the high school. 

Online Courses

Online courses are an accessible option for earning credits. There are a variety of types of online courses. Some of them require students to log in at certain times of day and have a live instructor lecturing on a platform like Google Meet or Zoom. Others are asynchronous, which means all of the course content is available at any time, so pupils can work on their coursework when and where it works best for them.

Some school districts partner with online learning platforms to provide online course options, but you can also look for online courses on your own. Check with your school district prior to enrolling to ensure the credits will transfer. 

Independent Study

Independent study, sometimes called directed study, is a type of learning that takes place outside of the traditional classroom with little to no supervision. This type of study is usually reserved for self-motivated students who wish to study a topic that isn’t part of their school’s curriculum. With guidance from a teacher, independent study students study a topic in depth, which allows them to learn specialized material or gain research experience. 

Work Experience

While less common than the other ways to obtain credits, some states allow students to earn course credit for their after-school work experience. The state of Washington began allowing students to earn elective credit for work experience during the 2023-24 school year. Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said that work experience helps “students learn employability and leadership skills — skills like interpersonal communication, personal finance, time management, taking direction, receiving critical feedback, and following through on commitments — that support their long-term success in the workforce and in life.” 

These are just some examples of how students can earn high school credits, and you should check with your school district to see what opportunities are available to you. Credit requirements and educational opportunities vary by state and district. 

About The American Academy

The American Academy offers both individual courses and a program that allows students ages 13 and older to earn their high school diploma online. 

If you choose to take individual courses with us to make up credits, get ahead, or explore your interests, check with your school district to make sure they will transfer prior to enrolling with The American Academy. We are accredited by Cognia, which tells your school that the credits you earn with us are legitimate, but we still recommend speaking with your school prior to enrolling so there are no surprises. 

Additionally, our high school diploma is accepted by colleges and universities, employers, and the U.S. military, at their discretion. 

The American Academy offers opportunities for every type of high school student, whether they want to catch up, get ahead, or take their education into their own hands.