Graduation Requirements

House Bill 5 (HB 5), signed into law in 2013, renovates high school testing requirements and provides students with increased flexibility in course selections for their graduation plan. This flexibility allows students to select a focused graduation plan, or endorsements, which creates strands of learning for students as they complete their high school plan.

SNAPSHOT OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (Class 2018 and Beyond)

Foundation High School Program (FHSP)
26 Credits

4 Credits English
3 Credits Math (Algebra II recommended)
3 Credits Science
4 Credits Social Studies
2 Credits Languages other than English
1 Credit Physical Education
1 Credit Fine Arts
1/2 Credit Speech (Debate available for incoming freshmen)
1/2 Credit Health
1 Credit Technology (no longer requirement for Class of 2022 and beyond)
6 Credits Elective Courses
Students cannot choose this plan until the end of their 10th grade school year and with administrative approval.

FHSP + Endorsements
Distinguished Level of Achievement
26 Credits

4 Credits English
4 Credits Math (Algebra II required)
4 Credits Science
4 Credits Social Studies
2 Credits Languages other than English
1 Credit Physical Education
1 Credit Fine Arts
1/2 Credit Speech (Debate available for incoming freshmen)
1/2 Credit Health
1 Credit Technology (no longer requirement for Class of 2022 and beyond)
4 Credits Elective Courses
Four credits of the 26 required credits must be in a coherent sequence and content-specific to the student's Endorsement Area (see below).

ENDORSEMENTS

STEM
Science
Engineering
Mathematics

Business & Industry
Advanced Journalism
Agriculture
Arts, A/V Tech & Communications
Business Management & Administration
Finance
Hospitality & Tourism
Information Technology
Marketing
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Arts & Humanities
LOTE
Art
Theatre Arts
Choir
Band
Social Studies

Public Services
Education & Training
Health Science
Human Services
Law

Multi-Disciplinary
Core Academics
Multi-Endorsement
Workforce Ready
College Ready

Alternate Graduation Opportunity

Did you enter ninth grade in 2011-12 or earlier? Didn’t pass the TAKS, TAAS or TEAMS exit tests? You may be able to still graduate.

Texas state law now provides alternate graduation means for students who did not pass their exit tests (TAKS, TAAS or TEAMS). In order to be eligible to request graduation, a former Grapevine-Colleyville ISD student must:

  • Be credit complete

  • Have taken all their exit tests at least three times

For more information, please call Bridges Accelerated Learning Center at (817) 251-5474.

Resources

TEA Graduation Toolkit (check Course Selection Guide for GCISD graduation requirements)