PACT Charter School 

Original Creation Date: February 2014
Last Approved By: PACT Charter School Board of Directors
Last Approved Date: December 2, 2021
Year Reviewed: 2021-2022

Graduation Requirements

The minimum credits needed to graduate can vary per graduation year due to local and/or state requirements changes. Students are required to fulfill the total credits needed for graduation according to the following content areas in the chart below. There are 31 credits available for full-time students during their high school years, 9th through 12th grade.

One credit is equivalent to a full-year or completion of two semesters of a course that meets daily. 

Further Graduation Requirement information:

• Actual credit values for transfer students may differ from these requirements (refer to 603.2 - Transfer Credit Policy). The intent for transfer students is for them to have taken the equivalent of the coursework listed above. 
• CIS/PSEO credits are calculated at a ratio of 4:1 PACT credits.
• A 3-credit CIS/PSEO course is adequate to meet a one-year PACT graduation requirement in a specific area, although it will transfer to PACT as 0.75 credits. The additional 0.25 credits need to be met through electives.
• The total number of credits required for graduation is the same for all PACT students.
• Pre-High School Students who successfully complete a high school course will be given high school credit.
• The Fine Arts requirement may be met by taking two semesters (or a combination of two) of music, dance, theater, visual arts, or media arts. PACT has numerous elective options (over four years) that meet these requirements.
• Advisory is an eighth of a credit each year. Any deficiencies in Advisory credit must be made up through elective credits. 
• 3 credits of Math with a minimum of Algebra 2.
• 3.5 credits of Social Studies need to be met in the following:

○ US History (1 credit)
○ Geography (0.5 credit)
○ World History (1 credit)
○ Government and Citizenship (0.5 credit)
○ Economics (0.5 credit) 

• 3 credits of Science need to be met in the following:

○ Biology (1 credit)
○ Physics, Intro to Physics, or Chemistry (1 credit)
○ Additional Science (1 credit) 

• The Health and PE requirements may be taken at any point during the 4 years of High School.
• World Language credits can be satisfied by receiving a passing score on the ACTFL proficiency test.

If the graduation requirements are not entirely met, a student may participate in graduation activities without receiving a diploma if they meet the following criteria:

• They are no more than 1.0 credit short in the total required areas or overall credits.
  
  

Diplomas are mailed after the graduation ceremony, pending final grades and transcript reviews.

Legal References:

Minn. Statute §120B.024 (Credits)

Minn. Statute §124D.9, subd. 12 (PSEO Credits)

Minn. Statute §124E.03, subd. 2 para(b) (Charter school compliance)