PACT Charter School 

Original Creation Date: February 2014
Last Approved By: PACT Charter School Board of Directors
Last Approved Date: July 11, 2023
Year Reviewed: 2023-2024

Graduation Requirements

The minimum credits needed to graduate can vary per graduation year due to local and/or state requirement changes. Students are required to meet credit requirements according to 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 worth .75 a credit each year for a total of 3 credits. 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 or Chemistry (1 credit)

○ Additional Science  (1 credit) 

○ Health and PE requirements may be taken anytime throughout grades 9-12.

○ World Language credits can be satisfied by receiving a passing score on the ACTFL proficiency test.

If 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. 

Diplomas will be issued to students upon successful completion of all requirements.

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)