Firm Foundation High School Graduation Requirements

Start with a Four Year Plan

Students must choose either the general education course or the college preparation course  when completing their four year plan.  
  • The College preparation route is for those students planning to continue their education after high school.  This path requires students to take classes beyond the general education high school graduation requirements. 
  •  If you don't know which route your students plans to take, it's advised to plan for the college route because it keeps the doors and opportunities open.  If you choose a general education route and decide last minute that you would like to pursue high education, you may not have time to fulfill the requirements and that option may no longer be available to you.

General Education Requirements

These are the minimum requirements for the state of California
 ​1) Complete a Four Year Plan
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2) Fulfill the California State mandated graduation requirements - (170 credits total)
  • 3 years of English
  • 2 years of mathematics (including one year of Algebra I)
  • 2 years of science, including biological and physical sciences
  • 3 years of social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics, and a one-semester course in economics
  • 1 year in visual or performing arts, foreign language, or career technical education
  • 2 years in physical education
​(http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/hsgrmin.asp)

3) Complete four years of Bible

College Preparation Requirements

These are the requirements that Firm Foundation Christian Academy has for its enrolled students
​ ​1) Complete a Four Year Plan

2) Fulfill the Firm Foundation Christian Academy Requirements while also completing the California State mandated graduation requirements (260 credits total)
  • 4 years of English (40 credits)
  • 3 years (30 credits) of mathematics (including one year of Algebra I) -  4 years  or 40 credits are recommended 
  • 2 years or 20 credits of science, including biological and physical sciences (3 years or 30 credits are recommended)
  • 3 years of social studies, including United States history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics, and a one-semester course in economics
  • 1 year (10 credits) in visual or performing arts
  • 2 years (20 credits) foreign language (3 years or 30 credits recommended)
  • 2 years in physical education
  • 50 credits worth of electives
​(http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/hsgrmin.asp)

3) Complete four years of Bible (40 credits)

4) Take College Prep Classes *(This varies depending on your college plans) Please familiarize yourself with the different options for education after high school so that you can plan on fulfilling any additional requirements accordingly.  You can find some direction under our "College Preparation" pages.

Know Your Options!

Homeschool students have various options for completing high school graduation requirements.  As well, homeschool students are not limited to pursuing one single path. For example, a student can decide to take math at a city college while completing government using a homeschool high school textbook. Options include:
  • Traditional textbook method
  • Outsourced classes
  • Community college courses 
  • Classes offered through Firm Foundation.  For classes offered during the  school year please click on the Friday School High School tab. 
  • Online high school courses.  Online classes are prolific so it is important that parents examine potential providers for quality. 
  • At a local city colleges with no tuition cost to the student or parent.  The benefit of such a course is, along with fulfilling high school graduation requirements, students can simultaneously fulfill college track and/or college transfer classes--sometimes even earning an Associate's Degree along the way!  City colleges have their own respective policies regarding requirements for high school student enrollment.  Pasadena City College (PCC) has a concurrent enrollment program, as does Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. Sac). Another available option includes taking city college courses online. PCC, Mt. Sac, and Coastline Community College all offer online classes.


Keep Accurate Record of Grades

Fulfill Volunteer Hours

​Firm Foundation Christian Academy views volunteering as an important part of our students' overall development  We believe it is an integral aid in the process of their spiritual, emotional, and civic minded maturity.  As such, students are required to complete 25 hours of volunteer work per year.  Students need to submit the volunteer registration form at the start of their volunteer post and the volunteer verification form with semester grades, both of which are to be completed by the supervisor. 

Ideas on volunteering and community service can be found here: http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/200611030.asp

Keep Accurate Records and Submit Them On Time!

All entering high school students, along with their parents, must have an individual meeting with the high school counselor in the Spring prior to the start of the school year.  During this meeting, the parent(s), student, and counselor will discuss and complete the student's four year plan. Although there is an overview of record keeping requirements during the yearly high school meeting, which takes place in the Spring, the high school counselor can, if necessary, review record keeping requirements with the parent(s) and student at this time.  The following are requirements for record keeping along with 2017/2018  due dates.  Please take careful note of all due dates as it is important to submit all documents in a timely manner.  You will find details about each of the items below on the high school "Dates and Deadlines" page.
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Record Keeping Dates, Deadlines, and Documents can be found HERE