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Lower Merion School District

Off-Canvas

Minimum Graduation 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.

These credits are 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 (required Grade 12): 1.0 credit

Mathematics

Three Courses Minimum

  • Mathematics Courses: 3.0 credits

Science

Three Courses Minimum

  • Science Courses: 3.0 credits

Art and Humanities Electives - 4.5 credits

Arts and Humanities includes courses in the humanities, World Language, Music, Art, Family Consumer Science, Business Education, and Technology Education. English and/or Social Studies beyond the minimum course graduation are also included. No other coursework can be counted in this area.

Health and Physical Education

Eight semesters (2 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): 0.667 credits
  • PE 11: 0.33 credits
  • PE 12: 0.33 credits

Senior Project

Seniors, as a condition of graduation, complete a culminating Senior Experience.

  • Senior Project: 0.5 credits

Effective with the graduating class of 2023, Act 158 of 2018 requires students to achieve statewide graduation requirements, in addition to local requirements. Students have the option to demonstrate postsecondary preparedness through one of four pathways. For more information on graduation pathways, click here.