In August 2024, the Wake County School Board voted on changing graduation requirements for high school students.
Instead of 26 course credits, high school students will only need a total of 22 credits to graduate. These reduced course credits are a part of Wake County’s initiative to offer a three-year graduation plan for students.
Ishika Verma, senior, said, “[A three-year graduation plan] lays out a good standard protocol for all of us… I can see the benefit of [graduating] early and getting a job.”
Graduating in three years gives students the opportunity to apply to universities, begin working, and start post-high school goals sooner. Part of the “high school experience” is lost when strictly focusing on post-secondary education plans.
Classic high school events — prom, senior sunset, senior assassin, and senior pranks — happen deeper into the year.
Verma said, “[The end of the year] is when everyone is together and reflecting on all of high school. It’s really sweet, and I personally look forward to it.”
Current seniors will need to finish all 26 course credits to graduate on time. The new graduation requirements will start with the Class of 2026 and below.
More changes will happen in the coming years. Starting for the Class of 2027, students will need to take one computer science course, and for the Class of 2029, they are required to have one arts credit.
The previous requirements to take two language courses have been dropped. Wake County is aligning with the University of North Carolina System universities, which dropped their language requirements this past fall.
Even without a requirement for foreign language classes, Wake County is highly encouraging students to sign up for the course. Leesville Road High School offers levels one through four for Spanish, French, and Latin, providing an opportunity for Leesville students to broaden their views of the world. As well, there is an AP-level class for all three World Languages.
Mrs. Mash, French teacher at Leesville Road High School, said, “Speaking different languages gives you more empathy for people… [and] looks good on college applications.”
Students must complete four years of math, four years of English, four social studies courses, three science courses, and one health/physical education course.
If students have an interest in the accelerated graduation plan, contact counselors to discuss an action plan.
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