High School Graduation Requirements
In order to earn a high school diploma and graduate from Acellus Academy, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Earn a total of 24 high school credits, including the minimum requirements in each subject area.
- Complete a minimum of six credits through Acellus Academy, including one credit in each of the four core subject areas (math, science, language arts, and social studies) and two elective credits.
- Be enrolled and actively engaged in meaningful study in Acellus Academy for a minimum of twelve months.
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Meet all outstanding financial obligations with Acellus Academy.
UNITS OF CREDIT
Graduation from Acellus Academy’s online high school is achieved through the earning of credits as specified in this policy. Credits for all high school courses and for graduation requirements will be awarded on a “unit of credit” basis. One “1.0 unit of credit” is equal to a year of instruction within a course. Some courses are offered to students with half credit, “0.5 unit of credit”, is equal to a semester or half a year of instruction within a course.
Graduation Pathways
Two graduation pathways are available to full-time students. A standard pathway aligns to the minimum credit requirements for graduation set by the State of Missouri. This option is recommended for students that plan to attend a community college or directly enter the workforce after high school.
A more rigorous program of study is recommended for students that plan to apply to competitive four-year colleges with more stringent admissions requirements.
Standard High School Diploma
- English Language Arts (4.0 credits)
- History / Social Studies (4.0 credits)
- Mathematics (3.0 credits)
- Science (3.0 credits)
- Fine Arts (1.0 credit)
- Health and P.E. (1.0 credit)
- Practical Arts (1.0 credit)
- Electives (7.0 credits)
Total: 24 credits
High School Graduation with Honors
- English Language Arts (4.0 credits)
- History / Social Studies (4.0 credits)
- Mathematics (4.0 credits)
- Science (3.0 credits)
- Fine Arts (1.0 credit)
- Language Other Than English (2.0 credits)
- Health and P.E. (1.0 credit)
- Practical Arts (1.0 credit)
- Electives (6.0 credits)
Total: 26 credits (Min. GPA: 3.0)
Transferring Credits
- Credits earned while attending another high school may be transferable.
- An official transcript will be required for the transfer of credits.
- Only credits with a grade of C- or greater are eligible for transfer.
- Acellus Academy reserves the right to decline the transfer of credit(s).
- As a minimum, students must complete the entire 12th grade through Acellus Academy (minimum of 6 credits)
Ready to apply for graduation? Click here to get started.
Graduation Fees
| Graduation Application Fee | $ 100.00 |
Graduation fees are due with the submission of a graduation application and must be remitted before a diploma can be issued.
Walk the Stage
Join us onsite at the Acellus Academy Commencement Ceremony!
Acellus Academy graduates are invited to attend our onsite Commencement Ceremony in Kansas City. This special event allows graduating students to walk across the stage in cap and gown and receive their high school diploma. This event is a great opportunity for graduates to connect with their fellow students!
(Please note, this event is optional and not a requirement for graduation.)
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
Standard High School Diploma
Core Requirements
English Language Arts (Core)
Credit Requirement: 4 credits
Course Options:
- English I (1.0)
- English II (1.0)
- English III (1.0)
- English IV – College Prep (1.0)
- English IV – British & World Literature (1.0)
- AP English Literature and Composition (1.0)
- AP English Language and Composition (1.0)
4.0 Credits
History/Social Studies (Core)
Credit Requirement: 4 credits
Required:
- United States History (1.0)
- US Government and Civics (0.5)
- Personal Finance (0.5)
Additional Course Options:
- AP European History (1.0)
- AP Psychology (1.0)
- AP US History (1.0)
- AP World History (1.0)
- Economics (1.0)
- Epic Moments in World History (1.0)
- Ethnic Studies (0.5)
- Psychology (1.0)
- World History (1.0)
- World Geography (1.0)
4.0 Credits
Mathematics (Core)
Credit Requirement: 3 credits
Required:
- Algebra I (1.0)
Additional Course Options:
- Pre-Algebra (1.0)
- Business Math (1.0)
- Geometry (1.0)
- Algebra II (1.0)
- Trigonometry (0.5)
- College Exam Math Prep (0.5)
- Pre-Calculus (1.0)
- AP Calculus AB (1.0)
- AP Calculus BC (1.0)
- AP Statistics (1.0)
3.0 Credits
Science (Core)
Credit Requirement: 3 credits
Course Options:
- Intro to Physics & Chemistry (1.0)
- Environmental Science (1.0)
- Biology (1.0)
- General Chemistry (1.0)
- General Physics (1.0) or Honors Physics (1.0)
- AP Biology (1.0)
- AP Chemistry (1.0)
- AP Environmental Science (1.0)
- AP Physics I (1.0)
3.0 Credits
Non-Core Requirements
Fine Arts
Credit Requirement: 1 credit
Course Options:
- Music Appreciation (1.0)
- AP Music Theory (1.0)
- AP Drawing (1.0)
- Collaborative Theatre (1.0)
1.0 Credit
Health & Physical Education
Credit Requirement: 1 credit
- High School Health (1.0)
- Physical Education (1.0)
1.0 Credit
Practical Arts
Credit Requirement: 1 credit
Course Options:
- AP Computer Science Principles (1.0)
- AP Computer Science A (1.0)
- Business Management (1.0)
- Electrical Technology I (1.0)
- Electrical Technology II (1.0)
- HVAC-R I (1.0)
- HVAC-R II (1.0)
- Info Management I (1.0)
- Info Management II (1.0)
- Medical Terminology (1.0)
- Plumbing Technology I (1.0)
- Plumbing Technology II (1.0)
- Intro to Accounting (1.0)
- Accounting I (1.0)
- Accounting II (1.0)
- Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance (1.0)
- Investigating Careers (1.0)
- College & Career Readiness (1.0)
- Instructional Standards in Education and Training (1.0)
- Mastering Microsoft Excel (1.0)
- Principles of Agriculture (1.0)
- Agriculture I (1.0)
- Agriculture II (1.0)
- Introduction to Java (1.0)
- STEM 1: Intro to Coding (1.0)
- STEM 2: Javascript (1.0)
- STEM 3: Electronics & Coding (1.0)
- Fundamentals of Design (1.0)
1.0 Credit
Electives
Credit Requirement: 7 credits
High school courses from any subject area may be used to fulfill the electives requirement, including foreign languages.
7.0 Credits
Total: 24.0 Credits
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
High School Graduation with Honors
Acellus Academy’s High School Graduation with Honors pathway is recommended for students who plan to apply to competitive four-year colleges with stringent admissions requirements.
Core Requirements
English Language Arts (Core)
Credit Requirement: 4 credits
Course Options:
- English I (1.0)
- English II (1.0)
- English III (1.0)
- English IV – College Prep (1.0)
- English IV – British & World Literature (1.0)
- AP English Literature and Composition (1.0)
- AP English Language and Composition (1.0)
4.0 Credits
History/Social Studies (Core)
Credit Requirement: 4 credits
Required:
- United States History (1.0)
- US Government and Civics (0.5)
- Personal Finance (0.5)
Additional Course Options:
- AP European History (1.0)
- AP Psychology (1.0)
- AP US History (1.0)
- AP World History (1.0)
- Economics (1.0)
- Epic Moments in World History (1.0)
- Ethnic Studies (0.5)
- Psychology (1.0)
- World History (1.0)
- World Geography (1.0)
4.0 Credits
Mathematics (Core)
Credit Requirement: 4 credits
Required:
- Algebra I (1.0)
Additional Course Options:
- Geometry (1.0)
- Algebra II (1.0)
- Trigonometry (0.5)
- College Exam Math Prep (0.5)
- Pre-Calculus (1.0)
- AP Calculus AB (1.0)
- AP Calculus BC (1.0)
- AP Statistics (1.0)
4.0 Credits
Science (Core)
Credit Requirement: 3 credits
Course Options:
- Intro to Physics & Chemistry (1.0)
- Biology (1.0)
- General Chemistry (1.0)
- General Physics (1.0) or Honors Physics (1.0)
- Environmental Science (1.0)
- AP Biology (1.0)
- AP Chemistry (1.0)
- AP Environmental Science (1.0)
- AP Physics I (1.0)
Honors or AP level courses are recommended for this pathway.
3.0 Credits
Non-Core Requirements
Fine Arts
Credit Requirement: 1 credit
Course Options:
- Music Appreciation (1.0)
- AP Music Theory (1.0)
- AP Drawing (1.0)
- Collaborative Theatre (1.0)
1.0 Credit
Language other than English
Credit Requirement: 2 credit
Course Options:
- German I (1.0)
- German II (1.0)
- French I (1.0)
- French II (1.0)
- Spanish I (1.0)
- Spanish II (1.0)
- Spanish III (1.0)
- Discover Spanish (1.0)
- Discover Portuguese (1.0)
Two credit units of a single foreign language are strongly recommended.
2.0 Credits
Health & Physical Education
Credit Requirement: 1 credit
- High School Health (1.0)
- Physical Education (1.0)
1.0 Credit
Practical Arts
Credit Requirement: 1 credit
Course Options:
- AP Computer Science Principles (1.0)
- AP Computer Science A (1.0)
- Business Management (1.0)
- Electrical Technology I (1.0)
- Electrical Technology II (1.0)
- HVAC-R I (1.0)
- HVAC-R II (1.0)
- Info Management I (1.0)
- Info Management II (1.0)
- Medical Terminology (1.0)
- Plumbing Technology I (1.0)
- Plumbing Technology II (1.0)
- Intro to Accounting (1.0)
- Accounting I (1.0)
- Accounting II (1.0)
- Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance (1.0)
- Investigating Careers (1.0)
- College & Career Readiness (1.0)
- Instructional Standards in Education and Training (1.0)
- Mastering Microsoft Excel (1.0)
- Principles of Agriculture (1.0)
- Agriculture I (1.0)
- Agriculture II (1.0)
- Introduction to Java (1.0)
- STEM 1: Intro to Coding (1.0)
- STEM 2: Javascript (1.0)
- STEM 3: Electronics & Coding (1.0)
- Fundamentals of Design (1.0)
1.0 Credit
Electives
Credit Requirement: 6 credits
High school courses from any subject area may be used to fulfill the electives requirement, including foreign languages.
6.0 Credits
Total: 26.0 Credits
Note: To qualify for graduation with honors, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
Graduation Application
Applying for Graduation
Upon completion of the graduation requirements, the parent may submit a High School Graduation Application by signing in as a parent. The graduation application is located under “Progress Toward Graduation.”
Payment of a graduation application fee will be required to submit the graduation application.
