Downey Unified Graduation Requirements
At Downey Unified, we have always made “college and career readiness” a priority. Over the last few years, we’ve taken our commitment to our students to the next level by improving our graduation requirements to align with the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems.
To ensure our students’ success, we’ve been implementing graduation requirement changes in phases. Beginning with the Class of 2027, students must complete 220 credits with a 2.0 GPA for all coursework to graduate.
The Ultimate Goal
Our goal is for all graduating Downey Unified students to be eligible to attend Cal State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) should they choose to, by completing 220 credits and earning Cs or better in college prep courses that meet CSU and UC “A-G” course requirements.
What is A-G?
A-G courses are a series of high school classes that students must complete to be eligible for admission to the CSU and UC systems. The A-G sequence consists of year-long courses in seven subject areas: history/social studies (a), English Language Arts (b), mathematics (c), sciences (d), world languages (e), visual and performing arts (f), and college-preparatory elective (g). To meet minimum UC/CSU admission requirements, students must complete the 15 courses with a letter grade of C or better (at least 11 of them prior to their last year of high school).
For more information about the A-G requirements, visit the University of California, A-G Policy Resource Guide.
(A) History - 2 years
Two years of history (20 credits) are required. Examples of classes:
-
- 10th grade: World History (or AP European/AP World)
- 11th grade: US History (or AP)
(B) English - 4 years
Four (4) years of college-preparatory English (40 credits) are required. Examples of classes:
- 9th grade: English 9
- 10th grade: English 10
- 11th grade: English 11 or AP Lang. and Comp.
- 12th grade: English 12 or ERWC or AP Lit. and Comp.
(C) Mathematics - 3 years (4 years recommended)
Three (3) years of college-preparatory mathematics are required, however four (4) are recommended. A total of 30 credits (40 recommended).
Examples of classes are:
- 9th grade: Integrated I
- 10th grade: Integrated II
- 11th grade: Integrated III
- 12th grade: Options may include Statistics, Financial Algebra, Intro to Data Science, Precalculus, Calculus, AP Statistics, or AP Calculus
(D) Science - 2 years (3 years recommended)
Two (2) years of college preparatory science are required. A total of 20 credits (30 recommended). Examples of classes are:
- 9th grade: Living Earth
- 10th grade: Chemistry or Physics
- 11th grade and 12th grade: (recommended) Options may include Chemistry, Physics, AP Chemistry, Geology, AP Environmental Science, Biotech
(E) Language other than English - 2 years (3 years recommended)
Two (2)years, or equivalent to the 2nd level of high school instruction, of the same language other than English are required.* Three (3) years, or equivalent to the 3rd level of high school instruction, are recommended. A total of 20 credits (30 recommended). Examples of classes:
- 9th grade: Spanish I, ASL I, or French I
- 10th grade: Spanish II, ASL II, or French II
- 11th grade: Spanish III, ASL III, or French III
- 12th grade: AP Spanish, Dual Enrollment ASL, or AP French
* Some students may start at a higher level of language if they already have prior knowledge of the subject. If you take a higher level, such as Spanish II, and pass with a C or better, this meets the minimum requirement. Similarly, if you take Spanish III and pass with a C or better, you have met the recommended requirement.
(F) Visual and Performing Arts - 1 year
One yearlong visual and performing arts course is required — or two one-semester courses from the same discipline are also acceptable (10 credits). Examples of classes:
- Band
- Chorus
- Dance
- Art
- Ceramics
- Photography
- Film and Video Production
- Drama
(G) College-preparatory Elective - 1 year
One year (two semesters) chosen from courses specific to the elective (G) subject area or courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements of the A-F subjects.
- Anything you take that is above and beyond the basic requirement. For example:
- When you take a third year of Science, when you take a fourth year of Math, when you take a second year of Visual and Performing Arts
- Other elective classes may include:
- Ethnic Studies, Computer Science, AVID, etc.
These are the Critical 15 Yearlong Courses
The Plan in Action: Setting Our Students Up for Success
Starting in 2018, Downey Unified has carefully implemented a phased approach, with the ultimate goal that by the Class of 2031, all graduating students will be CSU and UC-ready by completing 220 credits and earning Cs or better in college prep courses that meet CSU and UC “A-G” course requirements. We have prepared for our new graduation requirements over several years, with a detailed timeline of incremental adjustments to reach our goal. We are continuously working and revisiting the phased approach, with our students’ best interest in mind, ready to assist and guide them as we reach the goal.
We know this change is an adjustment. Our students will have many opportunities for support to help them succeed in their courses and graduate proud of the options they have before them. Whether our students are headed to college or straight into a career, our goal is to set up our students for success after graduation by providing them with as many options as possible.
11627 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
(562) 469-6500