Your Foundation High School Program Graduation Requirements
In 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature established the new Foundation High School Program as the default high school graduation program for all students entering high school beginning in 2014-2015. Click here to read more about HB 5.
The Foundation requirements (22 credits) include:
English (4 credits) • English I • English II • English III • An advanced English course
Mathematics (3 credits) • Algebra I • Geometry • An advanced math course
Science (3 credits) • Biology • Integrated Physics & Chemistry or an advanced science course • An advanced science course
Social Studies (3 credits) • World History or World Geography • U.S. History • U.S. Government (one-half credit) • Economics (one-half credit)
Languages Other Than English (2 credits) • 2 credits in the same language or • 2 credits from Computer Science I, II, III
Physical Education (1 credit)
Fine Arts (1 credit)
Electives (5 credits)
Speech: Demonstrated proficiency
Endorsements - Total credits with endorsements required for graduation = 26
Celeste High School offers the following Endorsement options:
Arts and Humanities
Business and Industry
Multi-Disciplinary Studies
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
An endorsement is an option you can add to your high school diploma to show your knowledge and/or skills gained in one of five broad subject matter areas: Science/Technology/ Engineering/Mathematics (STEM), Arts and Humanities, Business and Industry, and Multidisciplinary Studies. To get an endorsement, you must complete a logical sequence of specific courses approved by your district. Basic guidelines for each endorsement are outlined below. Be sure to check with the counselor for specific questions.
The STEM Endorsement
Option 1: Complete a total of five mathematics credits by completing:
a. Algebra I OR a. Algebra I
b. Geometry b. Geometry
c. Math Models c. Algebra II
d. Algebra II d. Pre-Calculus
e. Pre-Calculus e. Calculus
Option 2: Complete a total of five science credits by completing:
a. Integrated Physics & Chemistry (IPC) OR a. Biology
b. Biology b. Chemistry
c. Any three additional science courses c. Physics
d. Any two additional science d. Any two additional science
courses courses
The Arts & Humanities Endorsement
Option 1: Complete five total Social Studies courses
Option 2: Complete four consecutive levels of the same language in a language other than English (LOTE), for example: Spanish I, II, III, and IV
Option 3: Complete two levels of the same language in a LOTE and two levels of a different language that is another LOTE, for example: Spanish I and II as well as French I and II
Option 4: Complete four consecutive levels of classes from one or two fine art subjects
For example: Art I, Art II, Art III, and Art IV or Art I and Art II as well as Theater Arts I and Theater Arts II
The Business & Industry Endorsement
Complete consecutive levels of four or more CTE (Career Technical Education) courses with the first two of them being from the same career cluster.
Option 1: Two sets of CTE courses from a career cluster. For example: Graphic Design followed by Advanced Graphic Design and Business Information Management I followed by Business Information Management II.
Option 2: Four CTE courses from the same career cluster. For example: Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources followed by three advanced Ag courses.
The Multi-Disciplinary Endorsement
Option 1: Complete four credits in each of the four foundation high school subject areas. Among these credits, the following courses must be present: English IV, Chemistry, and Physics
Option 2: Complete four credits in AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), or Dual-Credit in the following areas:
English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Economics
Languages other than English
Fine Arts
Students can earn one or more Performance Acknowledgments, in addition to any graduation program they follow, for any of the following areas: Dual Credit course; Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam performance; Bilingualism and bi-literacy; Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license; PSAT, ACT-PLAN, SAT, or ACT score. Talk to your school Counselor for specific guidelines.
For more information on the new state graduation requirements, you may view TEA's information by clicking this link:
Foundation High School Program (new graduation requirements for all current freshmen)
Click here to view a chart which explains how the new requirements compare to the previous requirements.
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In 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature established the new Foundation High School Program as the default high school graduation program for all students entering high school beginning in 2014-2015. Click here to read more about HB 5.
The Foundation requirements (22 credits) include:
English (4 credits) • English I • English II • English III • An advanced English course
Mathematics (3 credits) • Algebra I • Geometry • An advanced math course
Science (3 credits) • Biology • Integrated Physics & Chemistry or an advanced science course • An advanced science course
Social Studies (3 credits) • World History or World Geography • U.S. History • U.S. Government (one-half credit) • Economics (one-half credit)
Languages Other Than English (2 credits) • 2 credits in the same language or • 2 credits from Computer Science I, II, III
Physical Education (1 credit)
Fine Arts (1 credit)
Electives (5 credits)
Speech: Demonstrated proficiency
Endorsements - Total credits with endorsements required for graduation = 26
Celeste High School offers the following Endorsement options:
Arts and Humanities
Business and Industry
Multi-Disciplinary Studies
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
An endorsement is an option you can add to your high school diploma to show your knowledge and/or skills gained in one of five broad subject matter areas: Science/Technology/ Engineering/Mathematics (STEM), Arts and Humanities, Business and Industry, and Multidisciplinary Studies. To get an endorsement, you must complete a logical sequence of specific courses approved by your district. Basic guidelines for each endorsement are outlined below. Be sure to check with the counselor for specific questions.
The STEM Endorsement
Option 1: Complete a total of five mathematics credits by completing:
a. Algebra I OR a. Algebra I
b. Geometry b. Geometry
c. Math Models c. Algebra II
d. Algebra II d. Pre-Calculus
e. Pre-Calculus e. Calculus
Option 2: Complete a total of five science credits by completing:
a. Integrated Physics & Chemistry (IPC) OR a. Biology
b. Biology b. Chemistry
c. Any three additional science courses c. Physics
d. Any two additional science d. Any two additional science
courses courses
The Arts & Humanities Endorsement
Option 1: Complete five total Social Studies courses
Option 2: Complete four consecutive levels of the same language in a language other than English (LOTE), for example: Spanish I, II, III, and IV
Option 3: Complete two levels of the same language in a LOTE and two levels of a different language that is another LOTE, for example: Spanish I and II as well as French I and II
Option 4: Complete four consecutive levels of classes from one or two fine art subjects
For example: Art I, Art II, Art III, and Art IV or Art I and Art II as well as Theater Arts I and Theater Arts II
The Business & Industry Endorsement
Complete consecutive levels of four or more CTE (Career Technical Education) courses with the first two of them being from the same career cluster.
Option 1: Two sets of CTE courses from a career cluster. For example: Graphic Design followed by Advanced Graphic Design and Business Information Management I followed by Business Information Management II.
Option 2: Four CTE courses from the same career cluster. For example: Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources followed by three advanced Ag courses.
The Multi-Disciplinary Endorsement
Option 1: Complete four credits in each of the four foundation high school subject areas. Among these credits, the following courses must be present: English IV, Chemistry, and Physics
Option 2: Complete four credits in AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), or Dual-Credit in the following areas:
English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Economics
Languages other than English
Fine Arts
Students can earn one or more Performance Acknowledgments, in addition to any graduation program they follow, for any of the following areas: Dual Credit course; Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam performance; Bilingualism and bi-literacy; Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license; PSAT, ACT-PLAN, SAT, or ACT score. Talk to your school Counselor for specific guidelines.
For more information on the new state graduation requirements, you may view TEA's information by clicking this link:
Foundation High School Program (new graduation requirements for all current freshmen)
Click here to view a chart which explains how the new requirements compare to the previous requirements.
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