Nevada High School Graduation Requirements: 2026 Credit Guide for Parents & Students
A complete parent and student guide to Nevada high school graduation requirements, credit totals by subject area, college readiness benchmarks, and district-specific requirements for CCSD and WCSD for the Class of 2026 and beyond.
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A complete parent and student guide to Nevada high school graduation requirements, credit totals by subject area, college readiness benchmarks, and district-specific requirements for CCSD and WCSD for the Class of 2026 and beyond.
Nevada High School Graduation Requirements: 2026 Credit Guide for Parents & Students
Nevada high school students must meet specific credit requirements to earn a standard diploma. Requirements are set jointly by the Nevada Department of Education and individual school districts.
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Nevada Statewide Minimum Graduation Requirements
Under NRS 389.018, all Nevada high school students must earn a minimum of 22.5 credits to graduate:
| Subject Area | Credits Required | | :--- | :---: | | English Language Arts (ELA) | 4.0 credits | | Mathematics (Algebra I required) | 3.0 credits | | Science (1 lab science required) | 3.0 credits | | Social Studies (including US History & Nevada Government) | 3.0 credits | | Physical Education (including health) | 2.0 credits | | Computer Education / Technology | 0.5 credits | | Electives | 7.0 credits | | Total Minimum Credits | 22.5 credits |
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Clark County School District (CCSD) Graduation Requirements
CCSD requires students to earn 23.5 credits, exceeding the state minimum:
- Additional Requirement: Fine Arts or CTE Pathway credit (1.0 credit)
- Senior Exit Requirement: Senior Seminar or transition planning portfolio
- Personalized Learning Plan (PLP): Required for all CCSD students from grade 8 onward
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Washoe County School District (WCSD) Graduation Requirements
WCSD matches the state minimum of 22.5 credits with the following additions:
- Health Education: 0.5 dedicated credits (included within PE total)
- Financial Literacy: 0.5 credits (required as of 2024-2025)
- CTE or Fine Arts: 1.0 elective credit strongly recommended for scholarship eligibility
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College & Career Readiness (CCR) Benchmarks
Nevada's NSPF star ratings for high schools include a College & Career Readiness (CCR) component, measuring:
- ACT/SAT Benchmark Scores: 21+ on ACT English or 480+ SAT Evidence-Based Reading.
- AP Exam Scores: 3 or higher on any AP exam.
- Dual-Enrollment College Credit: Completion of any college-level course for credit.
- Industry Certifications: CompTIA IT Fundamentals, OSHA 10, Adobe Certified Professional, CNA.
High schools where 50%+ of graduates meet a CCR benchmark earn maximum CCR component points in the NSPF.
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Tools for Nevada High School Planning
- Nevada NSPF Decoder: Understand how graduation rates and CCR metrics affect star ratings.
- School Zone & Address Grader: Find your zoned high school and discover magnet alternatives.
- Best High Schools in Las Vegas: Rankings by NSPF index score and CCR achievement.
- Best High Schools in Reno: Washoe County high school rankings and Signature Academy options.
Quick answers
chevron_rightWhat is the main takeaway from Nevada High School Graduation Requirements: 2026 Credit Guide for Parents & Students?
A complete parent and student guide to Nevada high school graduation requirements, credit totals by subject area, college readiness benchmarks, and district-specific requirements for CCSD and WCSD for the Class of 2026 and beyond.
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NevadaSchools.org uses official Nevada school accountability data, including NSPF star ratings, index scores, proficiency metrics, graduation rates, and related public school profile information.
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Sources and next steps
NevadaSchools.org uses official Nevada school accountability data, including NSPF ratings, proficiency metrics, graduation rates, and public school profile information. For the original state source, review the Nevada Report Card.