CCSD Graduation Requirements: 2026 High School Credits, Diplomas & Dual Enrollment Guide

CCSD Graduation Requirements: 2026 High School Credits, Diplomas & Dual Enrollment Guide

> Quick Answer (AEO Summary): High school students in the Clark County School District (CCSD) must complete a minimum of 22.5 to 23 credits to graduate with a Standard Diploma under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 389.018). Advanced and College and Career Ready (CCR) Diplomas require 24 credits, a 3.25 unweighted GPA, and qualifying scores on ACT, SAT, or CTE certifications.

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Navigating high school graduation requirements in Clark County, Nevada requires understanding both state mandates enacted by the Nevada Legislature and local policies established by the Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees. For students in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin, earning a high school diploma is not merely about sitting in class—it requires completing specific credit sequences, passing mandatory End of Course (EOC) examinations, and participating in Nevada's statewide college and career readiness assessments.

Whether your student is entering 9th grade, transferring from out-of-state, or aiming for an Advanced or College and Career Ready (CCR) diploma endorsement, this guide provides the official credit distributions, statutory requirements under NRS 389.018, and practical advice for staying on track to graduate on time.

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Nevada High School Credit Requirements Matrix

Nevada public and charter schools offer three primary diploma pathways: the Standard Diploma, the Advanced Diploma, and the College and Career Ready (CCR) Diploma.

The table below breaks down the specific unit and credit requirements across each diploma type:

| Subject Area | Standard Diploma (NRS 389.018) | Advanced Diploma (NAC 389.663) | College & Career Ready (CCR) Diploma | | :--- | :---: | :---: | :---: | | English Language Arts | 4.0 Credits | 4.0 Credits | 4.0 Credits | | Mathematics | 3.0 Credits | 4.0 Credits (incl. Alg II or higher) | 4.0 Credits (incl. Alg II or higher) | | Science | 2.0 Credits | 3.0 Credits (incl. 2 lab sciences) | 3.0 Credits (incl. 2 lab sciences) | | Social Studies | 2.0 Credits | 3.0 Credits (World Hist, US Hist, Gov) | 3.0 Credits (World Hist, US Hist, Gov) | | Physical Education (PE) | 2.0 Credits | 2.0 Credits | 2.0 Credits | | Health Education | 0.5 Credit | 0.5 Credit | 0.5 Credit | | Computers / Educational Technology | 0.5 Credit | 0.5 Credit | 0.5 Credit | | Flex / College & Career Readiness Credit | 0.5 Credit | 0.5 Credit | 0.5 Credit | | Arts, Humanities or CTE | 1.0 Credit | 1.0 Credit | 1.0 Credit | | Electives | 6.5 – 7.0 Credits | 5.0 Credits | 5.0 Credits | | Total Required Credits | 22.5 – 23.0 Credits | 24.0 Credits | 24.0 Credits | | Minimum Unweighted GPA | None (Passing) | 3.25 Cumulative | 3.25 Cumulative | | Assessment / Endorsement | Mandatory ACT Participation | Mandatory ACT Participation | Qualifying ACT/SAT, AP (3+), or CTE Seal |

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Detailed Subject Requirements Explained

1. English Language Arts (4.0 Credits Required)

All diploma tracks require four continuous years of high school English:

• 9th Grade: English 9 (or English 9 Honors)
• 10th Grade: English 10 (or English 10 Honors)
• 11th Grade: English 11, Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition, or Dual Enrollment English
• 12th Grade: English 12, AP English Literature and Composition, or college-equivalent expository writing

2. Mathematics (3.0 to 4.0 Credits Required)

Under Nevada law, all high school students must be enrolled in a mathematics course during each year of high school until graduation, even if they completed math credits early in middle school:

• Standard Diploma (3.0 Credits): Typically includes Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II or Math of Personal Finance.
• Advanced & CCR Diplomas (4.0 Credits): Requires Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a fourth higher-level mathematics course (Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics, or College Algebra).

3. Science (2.0 to 3.0 Credits Required)

• Standard Diploma (2.0 Credits): At least one life science (Biology) and one physical science (Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics).
• Advanced & CCR Diplomas (3.0 Credits): Requires three credits in science, with at least two laboratory science courses completed.

4. Social Studies (2.0 to 3.0 Credits Required)

• World History / World Geography: 0.5 to 1.0 Credit
• U.S. History: 1.0 Credit (taken during 11th grade or AP U.S. History)
• U.S. Government & Economics: 0.5 to 1.0 Credit (taken during 12th grade or AP U.S. Government)

5. Physical Education & Health (2.5 Credits Combined)

• PE (2.0 Credits): Typically PE I (1.0) and PE II (1.0). In CCSD, students participating in sanctioned NIAA varsity high school athletics, marching band, JROTC, or competitive dance teams may apply for a PE waiver for up to 1.0 credit after completing two consecutive seasons.
• Health (0.5 Credit): Covers personal wellness, nutrition, CPR/first aid, and adolescent health.

6. Computer Science & Educational Technology (0.5 Credit)

Under Nevada Senate Bill 200, every Nevada high school student must complete at least a half-credit course in Computer Science (Computer Science Discoveries, AP Computer Science Principles, or Cybersecurity) prior to graduation.

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Standard vs. Advanced vs. College and Career Ready (CCR) Diplomas

Understanding the distinction between diplomas is crucial for college admissions and scholarship eligibility, including the state-funded Nevada Millennium Scholarship (which requires an Advanced or CCR Diploma or qualifying GPA/ACT benchmark):

The Standard Diploma

The baseline credential earned by meeting the 22.5 to 23 credit minimum. While recognized for high school graduation and admission to community colleges (such as the College of Southern Nevada), competitive four-year universities often require coursework beyond the Standard Diploma minimums.

The Advanced Diploma

Requires 24 total credits, an unweighted cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher, 4 years of math through Algebra II, and 3 laboratory sciences. This diploma indicates rigorous academic preparation to admissions officers nationwide.

The College and Career Ready (CCR) Diploma

Established by the Nevada State Board of Education under NAC 389.664, the CCR Diploma requires all 24 credits of the Advanced Diploma plus demonstrated postsecondary readiness through one of the following pathways: 1. College-Ready Endorsement: Earning benchmark scores on the ACT (English 18, Math 22) or SAT (Reading/Writing 480, Math 530), OR passing two AP exams with a score of 3 or higher, OR earning 6+ college credits through dual enrollment. 2. Career-Ready Endorsement: Completing an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) sequence, passing the state CTE Workplace Readiness Skills assessment, and passing the state CTE End-of-Program Technical assessment. 3. STEM or STEAM Seal: Earning 4 science credits, 4 math credits, 3.25 GPA, and qualifying engineering or computer science credentials.

Top Clark County High Schools Leading in Advanced & CCR Diplomas

Official Nevada Department of Education data demonstrates that specialized magnet academies and leading comprehensive high schools produce the highest proportion of advanced graduates:

• Southwest Career & Technical Academy (SWCTA): 80.6% Advanced Diploma Rate | 97.5 NSPF Index (5 Stars)
• Advanced Technologies Academy (ATECH): 79.0% Advanced Diploma Rate | 97.0 NSPF Index (5 Stars)
• West Career & Technical Academy (WCTA): 78.9% Advanced Diploma Rate | 98.0 NSPF Index (5 Stars)
• Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (LVA): 76.4% Advanced Diploma Rate | 86.3% CCR Participation (5 Stars)
• Northwest Career-Technical Academy (NWCTA): 71.7% Advanced Diploma Rate | 96.5 NSPF Index (5 Stars)
• Coronado High School: 64.2% Advanced Diploma Rate | 94.1% Graduation Rate (5 Stars)
• Palo Verde High School: 49.2% Advanced Diploma Rate | 81.0% CCR Participation (5 Stars)
• Green Valley High School: 47.0% Advanced Diploma Rate | 90.1% Graduation Rate (5 Stars)

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The 9th-Grade On-Track Milestone

In the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF), the state measures the 9th-Grade On-Track rate. This indicator measures whether a first-time freshman earns at least 5 full credits—including at least 1 credit in English and 1 credit in Math—by the close of their 9th-grade year without failing more than one core course.

National research confirms that 9th-grade credit accumulation is a stronger predictor of high school graduation than 8th-grade standardized test scores. Students who fall behind in freshman year face an uphill struggle with credit recovery summer school and zero-period classes.

To see how individual school attendance and academic pacing affect overall state ratings, explore our interactive Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) Star Rating Decoder.

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Dual Enrollment & Acceleration Pathways in Southern Nevada

Students seeking to accelerate their education can leverage tuition-free dual-enrollment partnerships:

1. CSN High School (East, South, West Campuses): CCSD operates three dual-credit high schools physically located on College of Southern Nevada campuses. Qualified juniors and seniors attend college classes full-time and can graduate high school with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree at zero college tuition. 2. Nevada State High School (NSHS): A tuition-free public charter school network with multiple locations in Las Vegas and Henderson that transitions students into collegiate environments starting in 11th grade. 3. Career and Technical Education (CTE) College Credit: High school students completing a three-year CTE program sequence in CCSD who pass state assessments can earn articulated college credits recognized at CSN and TMCC.

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Out-of-State Relocation & Credit Transfer Checklist

Moving to Las Vegas or Clark County from another state with a high school student requires careful planning. Follow this step-by-step checklist:

1. Obtain Official Transcripts Before Moving: Request sealed official transcripts along with course syllabi or descriptions, especially for honors, AP, and integrated math courses (e.g., Math I/II/III vs. Algebra/Geometry). 2. Schedule an Audit with Your Assigned School Counselor: School counselors evaluate transferred credits against NRS 389.018. In-progress courses and semester blocks will be matched to CCSD graduation equivalents. 3. Verify School Zoning: High school attendance boundaries in the Las Vegas valley are strictly enforced. Before signing a lease or purchasing a residence, use our free School Zone Address Finder & Neighborhood Grader to verify your assigned high school. 4. Prepare for the Nevada ACT Requirement: Even if your student previously took the SAT, Nevada state law requires all public high school juniors to participate in the statewide ACT administration to qualify for a diploma.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many credits are required to graduate high school in Las Vegas (CCSD)?

In the Clark County School District, students must earn a minimum of 22.5 to 23 credits to graduate with a Standard High School Diploma. Students seeking an Advanced Diploma or College and Career Ready (CCR) Diploma must complete 24 credits and maintain an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Can middle school courses count toward high school graduation credits?

Yes. Under Nevada Administrative Code (NAC 389.655), middle school students who successfully complete high school-level courses in 7th or 8th grade—most commonly Algebra I, Geometry, and foreign languages (Spanish I, French I)—earn high school credit toward graduation. These grades appear on the high school transcript and calculate into the cumulative GPA.

What happens if a student fails a core class in CCSD?

If a student fails a required graduation course (such as English 9 or Algebra I), the credit must be recovered. Options include CCSD Summer School, district-approved online credit retrieval programs (such as Apex Learning or Nevada Learning Academy), or repeating the course during the regular academic calendar via zero-period or credit-by-exam options.

Is taking the ACT mandatory to graduate high school in Nevada?

Yes. Under NRS 389.550, participation in the statewide 11th-grade ACT examination is a mandatory graduation requirement for all Nevada public and charter high school students. While there is no minimum cut score required to earn a Standard Diploma, students pursuing the College and Career Ready (CCR) endorsement must achieve benchmark scores (English 18, Math 22).

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Research & Planning Tools for Nevada Families

• Nevada School Zone Address Finder: Find your assigned Clark County neighborhood high school and check nearby public magnet options.
• NSPF Star Rating Calculator & Decoder: Learn how graduation rates, ACT scores, and absenteeism combine to determine official school star ratings.
• Side-by-Side School Comparison Engine: Benchmark CCSD high schools head-to-head on test scores, graduation rates, and diploma distributions.
• Education Directory & Partner Portal: Explore local tutoring centers, college admissions consultants, and education organizations serving Las Vegas students.
• Best High Schools in Las Vegas & Clark County Guide: Read our complete rankings of top public, magnet, and charter high schools across Southern Nevada.