Earning a high school diploma is a milestone that sets the foundation for future success. Hawai‘i public schools prepare students for college, careers and community engagement through rigorous academic standards and diverse learning opportunities. This page outlines the coursework and credit requirements for a Hawai‘i high school diploma, as well as pathways to honors recognition, STEM achievements, and the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy.
VISION OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADUATE
High school graduation requirements are set by Board of Education Policy 102-15 (PDF), which states:
The purpose of high school graduation requirements is to establish rigorous standards of learning that will enable all public school students to meet the vision of a Hawai‘i public school graduate. All Hawai‘i public school graduates will:
- Realize their individual goals and aspirations,
- Possess the attitudes, knowledge, and skills necessary to contribute positively and compete in a global society,
- Exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and
- Pursue post-secondary education and/or careers.
Earning a diploma
A high school diploma shall be issued to students who meet the following minimum course and credit requirements:
Subject | High School Diploma |
|---|---|
English | 4 credits: English Language Arts 1 (1.0 credit) and English Language Arts 2 (1.0 credit); Expository Writing* (0.5 credit); and Common Core-aligned language arts electives or proficiency-based equivalents [ELA basic electives (1.5 credits)]. |
Social Studies | 4 credits: U.S. History and Government (1.0 credit); World History and Culture (1.0 credit); Modern History of Hawai‘i (0.5 credit); Participation in a Democracy (0.5 credit); and Social Studies basic elective (1.0 credit). |
Mathematics | 3 credits: Algebra 1 (1.0 credit); Geometry (1.0 credit); and mathematics basic elective (1.0 credit) |
Science | 3 credits: Biology 1 (1.0 credit); and science basic electives (2.0 credits) |
World Language Fine Arts Career and Technical Education/JROTC | 2 credits in one of the specified programs of study. |
Physical Education (P.E.) | 1 credit: Physical Education Lifetime Fitness (0.5 credit); and Physical Education basic elective (0.5 credit) |
Health | 0.5 credit in Health Today and Tomorrow |
Personal Transition Plan | 0.5 credit |
Electives (Any Subject Area) | 6 credits |
TOTAL: | 24 credits |
*Or equivalent course.
Notes:
- Two credits in a single World Language. Credits must be taken in sequence with consecutive course numbers in the study of one language.
- Two credits in a Fine Arts discipline: Visual Arts, Music, Drama or Dance. Credits do not need to be in a single discipline.
- CTE: Two credits need to be in a single career pathway program of study sequence. JROTC: Two consecutive JROTC courses fulfill two CTE credits for diploma requirements.
Honors Recognition Certificate Requirements
In addition to meeting the requirements for the Hawai‘i high school diploma, students must attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above to qualify for a honors recognition certificate in one or more of the honors described below.
Honors
Academic Honors
- 4 credits of math: The four credits must include one credit for Algebra 2 and one credit beyond Algebra 2. The credit beyond Algebra 2 must be earned via the following courses or equivalent Running Start math courses: Algebra 3, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, Precalculus, Probability, Statistics, Introduction to College Mathematics, Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, IB Math Studies, or IB Math Standard Level, AND
- 4 credits of science: Of the four credits, one credit must be in Biology 1 or equivalent IB Biology; or AP Biology courses, AND
- 2 credits minimum must be from AP/IB/Running Start courses (equivalent to credits for two college courses).
CTE Honors
Complete two courses in a program of study.
- Earn a B or better in each required program of study (coursework).
- Meet or exceed proficiency on performance-based assessments for corresponding rogram of study.
STEM Honors
4 credits of math: The four credits must include one credit for Algebra 2 and one credit beyond Algebra 2. The credit beyond Algebra 2 must be earned via the following courses or equivalent Running Start math courses: Algebra 3, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, Precalculus, Probability, Statistics, Introduction to College Mathematics, Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, IB Math Studies, or IB Math Standard Level, AND
- 4 credits of science: Of the four credits, one credit must be in Biology 1 or equivalent IB Biology; or AP Biology courses.
- Successful completion of a STEM Capstone Project (Google Docs) in one of the approved ACCN courses.
Grade Point Average
This cumulative grade point average applies to all graduates. Learn more about how GPAs are calculated.
- Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.5.
- Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.5+ to 3.8.
- Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.8+ and above.
Valedictorian Designation
Effective for the Class of 2016 and beyond, graduating seniors will be declared valedictorian if the following criteria are met:
- GPA of 4.0; and
- Earned and met the requirements of one of the Honor Recognition Certificates.
Valedictorians will be named after the third quarter.
Seal of Biliteracy
The Hawai‘i State Board of Education established a Seal of Biliteracy to be awarded upon graduation to students who demonstrate a high proficiency in both of the state’s two official languages (English and Hawaiian) OR either of the state’s two official languages and at least one additional language, including American Sign Language.
Commencement exercises
Commencement exercises may be scheduled any time after the last day of school for seniors. The last day of school for seniors shall be set by the Hawai‘i State Department of Education. Students shall be permitted to participate in commencement if they:
- Meet the requirements for a diploma or a certificate;
- Have fulfilled their financial obligations; and
- Meet other conditions, established by the Department, which meet the standards of clarity, reasonableness and justifiability.
graduation requirement Brochure
Graduation Requirement Brochure – English (PDF) is available in the following languages: