Minimum Graduation Credit Requirements
Students are urged to make the best use of their time by enrolling in courses at appropriate levels of challenge that will offer them a rigorous program of studies throughout their four years. This generally means that students should earn more than the minimum number of credits required for graduation. A total of 21.5 credits are required for graduation and a diploma from Lower Merion School District. All students are required to take the minimum of 5.25 credits each year.
NOTE: These graduation requirements are governed by Lower Merion School Board Policy.
Credits are required in the following areas:
English
Four Courses Minimum
- English 1: 1.0 credit
- English 2: 1.0 credit
- Grade 11 Full-year English Course 1.0 credit
- Grade 12 Full-year English Course 1.0 credit
Social Studies
Four Courses Minimum
- Global Studies 1 (Grade 9): 1.0 credit
- Global Studies 2 (Grade 10): 1.0 credit
- US History (Grade 11): 1.0 credit
- US Government (Grade 12): 1.0 credit
Mathematics
Three Courses Minimum
- Mathematics Courses: 3.0 credits
Science
Three Courses Minimum
- Science Courses: 3.0 credits
Arts and Humanities
Courses that meet this requirement include:
- Any course in the Art, Music, or World Language departments.
- Any course in the English or Social Studies departments beyond the already required four courses in each content area: 1.0 Credit
Health and Physical Education
Eight semesters (two semesters per year-one per semester) of PE plus one year of Health
- PE 9: 0.33 credits
- PE 10: 0.33 credits
- Health (Grade 10): 0.50 credits
- PE 11: 0.33 credits
- PE 12: 0.33 credits
Personal Finance
All students must complete a 0.5 credit course in personal finance as a requirement for graduation, beginning with the Class of 2030.
Senior Project
Seniors, as a condition of graduation, complete a culminating Senior Experience.
- Senior Project: 0.5 credits
* In addition to Lower Merion School District’s graduation credit requirements, students must meet one of the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pathways to Graduation.