FOUKE

Students graduating from an Arkansas Public School or Public Charter School must meet or exceed the minimum 22 graduation credit requirements as adopted by the Arkansas State Board of Education. Because we know how important it is to graduate all students ready to succeed in college and career, the Arkansas Department of Education has created an Arkansas Graduation Requirements Handout. 

Please note the addition of Quantitative Reasoning as a practical option for students that may not need Algebra II for preparation for their chosen pathway. Quantitative Reasoning has been approved by the Higher Education Coordination Board as an option for postsecondary preparation.

The Student Success Plan (SSP) should be used to ensure that students in grades 8 through 12 have met all graduation requirements and provide comprehensive documentation of thoughtful review of student academic and career planning through middle and high school. The SSP addresses course selections and meet the needs of Smart Core and the Smart Core Waiver. The SSP should be used to guide students along pathways to graduation, address accelerated opportunities, address academic deficits and interventions, and include college and career planning components.

Note: The SSP will be used in lieu of Smart Core documents.

Graduation Course Credit Requirements

English Language Arts - 4 credits 

• ADE-Approved English 9 - 1 credit
• ADE-Approved English 10 - 1 credit
• ADE-Approved English 11 - 1 credit
• ADE-Approved English 12 - 1 credit

Mathematics - 4 credits 

• Algebra I  – 1 credit
• Geometry  – 1 credit
• Algebra II or Quantitative Reasoning – 1 credit
• ADE-Approved Mathematics or Computer Science Flex – 1 credit

Science - 3 credits 

• ADE-Approved biology – 1 credit
• ADE-Approved physical science – 1 credit
• ADE-Approved third science or Computer Science Flex – 1 credit

Social Studies - 3 credits 

• ADE-Approved US History – 1 credit
• ADE-Approved World History – 1 credit
• ADE-Approved Civics – 0.5 credit 
• ADE-Approved Economics and Personal Finance –0.5 credit 

Oral Communication – 0.5 credit 

Physical Education – 0.5 credit 

Health & Safety – 0.5 credit 

Fine Arts – 0.5 credit 

Career Focus or Additional Content – 6 credits 

Additional Graduation Requirements

• Beginning with the class of 2027, AR graduates shall complete a minimum of 75 clock hours of documented community service in grades 9-12. - A.C.A. § 6-16-1901
• An AR graduate must earn credit in a course that includes Personal and Family Finance Standards in grades 9-12. - A.C.A. § 6-16-135
• An AR graduate must pass with a 60% the Arkansas Civics Exam. - A.C.A. § 6-16-149
• An AR graduate must complete CPR training. - A.C.A. § 6-16-143
• An AR graduate must earn one credit of ADE-Approved Computer Science or computer science-related career and technical education course; requirement begins for 2026 graduates. - A.C.A. § 6-16-152