TJHSST Diploma Requirements
26 CREDIT DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
FCPS School Board Regulation 3355.17
Graduation Requirements
The requirements for a student to earn a diploma are those in effect when the student enters the 9th grade for the first time. The following applies to 9th grade students who enter high school in 2025-26 and beyond.
To graduate from high school with an Advanced Studies Diploma, students must meet the minimum requirements as outlined below, which include 26 credits, 9 of which must be verified credits. A standard credit is earned when a student passes a course. Averified credit is earned when a student passes a course and the associated end-of-course SOL test. In some cases, students may utilize substitute tests or certifications to earn verified credits. State guidelines prescribe the number of verified credits required for graduation for students entering a Virginia public high school for the first time during tenth grade or after. Consult your school counselor for specific information.
Students receive credit toward graduation for high school courses taken and passed in middle school. These courses count toward credits in the required sequences as well as toward the total number of credits required for graduation and calculation of thegrade point average (GPA).
Middle school parents may request that grades for any high school credit bearing course taken in the middle school be removed from the student’s high school transcript, any removed grades will not earn high school credit for the course. In addition, the student will not be eligible for a verified credit in any course that has been removed from the transcript. The request to remove a course from the transcript must be made in writing to the middle or high school that the student will attend in the next school year no later than nine weeks after that school year begins.
Exemption from the TJHSST Diploma RequirementAn enrolled student in the senior year may be granted an exemption, under exceptional circumstances, by the director of student services and the principal, from meeting the requirements for graduation from TJHSST if the student meets local and state requirements for graduation. A student who is granted an exemption from the TJHSST diploma may receive a generic diploma from FCPS and may participate in the TJHSST graduation ceremony.
Graduation Credit by Alternate MethodsAlternate methods of earning credit for graduation from TJHSST require approvals, before beginning any study or program, of the director of student services and the principal. Alternate methods must be ones sanctioned by the Virginia Board of Education and Fairfax County School Board directive.
Advanced Studies Diploma Course Requirements (8 VAC 20-131-50)
| Subject Area | Standard Credits | Verified Credits | Jefferson Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
|
English
|
4 | 2 | 4 |
|
Mathematics 1
|
4 | 1 | 4 6 |
|
Laboratory Science 2
|
4 | 1 | 4 7 |
|
History and Social Studies 3
|
4 | 1 | 4 |
|
World Language*
|
3 | 3 8 | |
|
Health and Physical Education
|
2 | 2 | |
|
Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education
|
1 | 1 11 | |
|
Economics and Personal Finance
|
1 | 1 | |
|
Electives
|
3 | 3 10 | |
|
Total Credits 5
|
26 | 5 | 26 |
*Foreign Language is designated World Language in Fairfax County Public Schools.
- Courses completed to satisfy this requirement will include at least three different course selections from among: algebra I, geometry, algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of algebra II. The Board of Education shall approve courses to satisfy this requirement. Students at TJHSST must take at least one mathematics course each of the four school years they are enrolled at the school, which may mean that any given student could have more than four mathematics credits should they take multiple mathematics courses in a single school year. In the event that a student has successfully completed a mathematics course post AP Calculus, they may apply for an exemption from the four year mathematics requirement as indicated in section B below.
- Courses completed to satisfy this requirement will include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: earth sciences, biology, chemistry, or physics or completion of the sequence of science courses required for the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The Board will approve courses to satisfy this requirement. Biology, chemistry, and physics, are required courses for all students; the fourth science requirement may be acquired through science course selections offered at TJHSST. Students at TJHSST must take at least one science course each of the four school years they are enrolled at the school, which may mean that any given student could have more than four science credits should they take multiple science courses in a single school year.
- Courses completed to satisfy this requirement will include U.S. and Virginia history, U.S. and Virginia government, and world history/geography I and world history/ geography II. AP world history and AP human geography each satisfy the requirement for world history/geography II.
- Courses completed to satisfy this requirement will include three years of one language or two years of two languages.
- Students must successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a noncreditbearing course, or may be a course required to earn this diploma that is offered online.
- Does not include algebra I, which is required for application and/or admission. Math sequence must demonstrate successful completion in at least AP calculus (AB or BC). Page
- World history & geography 2, US/VA history, US/VA government. The fourth social studies requirement may be acquired by but is not limited to any non-AP social studies credit available at TJHSST.
- Must have three consecutive years of the same language – Footnote #4 does not apply for the TJ Diploma.
- The credit is earned via design & technology required for all matriculating students.
- Computer science, senior research/mentorship, and an additional credit in math, science, technology, fine arts, or a fourth consecutive credit in world language must be taken to fulfill these ‘elective’ credits.
