Graduation Requirements
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Courses & Credits
Students must earn 25.50 credits to graduate from Derry Area High School. Specifically, students must meet the following requirements:
| Subject Area | Credit(s) |
| English | 4.00 |
| Social Studies | 4.00 |
| Science | 3.00 |
| Mathematics | 3.00 |
| Science/Mathematics (Additional) | 1.00 |
| Health | 0.50 |
| Physical Education | 1.00 |
| Career Education (Grade 9) | 1.00 |
| Future & Career Success | 0.50 |
| Computer & Career Essentials | 0.50 |
| Humanities (Art/Music) | 0.50 |
| Electives | 5.50 |
| Keystone Exams12 | 1.00 |
| Total | 25.50 |
1 Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to evaluate proficiency in academic content. Students must demonstrate proficiency in Literature, Algebra I, and Biology to graduate. One (1.00) credit is earned once these exams are passed. Unsuccessful attempts at the Keystones may result in students being assigned to remedial labs/courses, district re-tests and/or Act 158 (Alternative Pathways).
2 Act 158 of 2018 (Act 158), signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on October 24, 2018, provides alternatives to Pennsylvania's statewide requirement of attaining proficiency on the three end-of-course Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Literature, and Biology) for a student to achieve statewide graduation requirements, see Keystone Exams tab on this website.
Credit Load & Achievement
If student has not met the minimum credit requirements, student will not be promoted to the next grade level.
| Grade | Credits | Attendance |
|
Freshman
|
0.00-5.50 | 1 Year |
| Sophomore | 5.51-11.00 | 2 Years |
| Junior | 11.01-17.00 | 3 Years |
| Senior | 17.01-More | 4 Years |
Community Service Hours
Students must accumulate 10.00 hours of community service prior to graduating from Derry Area High School. Students are advised to complete a minimum of 2.50 hours of community service for each year enrolled at the high school.
*Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, community service hours requirements have been adjusted as follows: Class of 2024 (7.50 hours) and Class of 2025-2027 (10.00 hours). Please contact the Counseling Office for more information. (Revised, 09/2023)
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