California High School Graduation & A-G Credit Tracker

CA Graduation Credit Tracker

Check Diploma Status & A-G Eligibility • Updated for 2026

For UC/CSU Eligibility
English/ 40
Typically 4 Years (40 Credits)
Mathematics/ 20
Incl. Algebra I
Social Science/ 30
History, Gov, Econ
Science/ 20
Bio + Physical Science
PE (Phys Ed)/ 20
Usually 2 Years
VAPA / Language/ 10
Art or Foreign Lang
Electives/ 80
Any extra classes

0

Credits Earned

220

Target Needed
Enter credits & click calculate.

How to Calculate High School Credits in California

Don’t rely on guesswork. Our intelligent tracker adapts to your specific school district rules, from LAUSD to San Diego.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  • 1

    Select Your District

    Choose Standard (220) for most schools. If you are in Los Angeles, select LAUSD to see specific service requirements.

  • 2

    Choose Your Goal

    Toggle the “A-G College Mode” if you plan to apply to UC or CSU universities. This increases requirements (e.g., 3 years of Math).

  • 3

    Enter Your Data

    Check your transcript and enter the credits. The tool auto-saves your district selection to prevent data loss.

Convert High School Courses to Credits

California uses a “Carnegie Unit” system. Many students get confused between “classes passed” and “credits earned.” Use this table:

DurationStandard CASDUSD (San Diego)
1 Semester5 Credits1 Credit
1 Full Year10 Credits2 Credits
Summer School5-10 Credits1-2 Credits

LAUSD & District Requirements 2026

Requirements vary drastically by district. Our tool is the only one updated for 2026 local mandates:

  • LAUSD: Requires 210 credits AND a “Service Learning Project.” Even if you have 220 credits, you cannot walk at graduation without the service project.
  • San Diego (SDUSD): Operates on a 44-credit scale. Our tool automatically adjusts the math so you don’t have to multiply by 5.
  • A-G Admission: While a ‘D’ grade earns high school credit, UC/CSU colleges require a ‘C-‘ or better. Toggle “A-G Mode” to check college readiness.
Pro Tip: Check “Credit Deficiency” Early If the bar turns Yellow or Red, check your “Electives.” Most students miss graduation not because of Math or English, but because they didn’t take enough elective courses to reach the total 220 credit count.

Navigating the California Graduation Maze

Understanding the “Hidden” Requirements Behind the Diploma

The “130 Credit” Myth vs. Reality

There is a massive misconception among California parents regarding the number of credits needed to graduate. If you look at the California Education Code (EC 51225.3), the state minimum is only 130 credits. However, you rarely see a student graduate with just 130 credits. Why?

Local school districts have the legal authority to add their own requirements. Almost every major district (LAUSD, Fresno, Long Beach) adds roughly 90-100 credits of “Electives” and extra academic years to ensure students are well-rounded.

CategoryState Minimum (Law)Typical High School
Total Credits130 Credits220 – 230 Credits
Math2 Years3 Years (Recommended)
Electives0 Required60 – 80 Credits
ConsequenceMinimal DiplomaCollege Ready
Warning for Transfer Students If you transfer from a district with low requirements to one with high requirements (e.g., moving to LAUSD in Senior year), you might suddenly find yourself “Credit Deficient” even if you passed every class at your old school. Always use the District Selector in our tool above to check.

The “D” Grade Dilemma: Diploma vs. University

One of the most painful realizations for high school seniors comes in the form of a letter grade: D.

In the eyes of the California high school graduation system, a ‘D’ is a passing grade. You earn the 5 credits, and you move one step closer to your diploma. However, in the eyes of the UC (University of California) and CSU (Cal State) systems, a ‘D’ is effectively an ‘F’.

Does a ‘D’ count for graduation?

Yes. If your goal is simply to graduate high school and join the workforce or attend a Community College, a ‘D’ grade earns you the full 5 credits per semester. You do not need to retake the class for diploma purposes.

Does a ‘D’ count for A-G (College)?

No. To be eligible for a 4-year public university in California, you must complete the “A-G” courses with a grade of ‘C-‘ or better. If you got a ‘D’ in Algebra 1, you technically passed high school, but you are not eligible to apply to a CSU unless you validate that grade (usually by retaking the class).

What if I am “Credit Deficient”? (The Fix)

If the calculator above shows a red bar, don’t panic. California schools offer multiple pathways for Credit Recovery. It is rarely too late until the final few weeks of Senior year.

  • Summer School: The most common method. You can typically make up 10-15 credits (2-3 classes) over the summer break.
  • Edgenuity / Cyber High: Many districts (like San Bernardino and Riverside) use online self-paced programs. If you are motivated, you can finish a 5-credit semester class in just a few weeks.
  • 0 Period / 7th Period: Ask your counselor to add an extra class to your schedule. It makes for a long day, but it’s the fastest way to catch up without paying for outside courses.
  • Adult School: In some districts (like LAUSD), students over 16 can take evening classes at the local Adult School for high school credit.

Unique Rules: LAUSD & San Diego

Our tool is one of the few that specifically caters to the unique grading scales of California’s two largest districts.

📍 Los Angeles Unified (LAUSD)

LAUSD recently updated their requirements to align more closely with A-G standards. However, the Service Learning Project remains a strict graduation requirement. This is often integrated into a History or Government class, but transfer students often miss it. Check your transcript for “Service Learning” specifically.

📍 San Diego Unified (SDUSD)

SDUSD uses a weighted credit system that confuses everyone outside of San Diego. Instead of the standard 5 credits per class, they award 1 credit per semester course (or sometimes 0.5 depending on the era). A standard diploma requires 44 credits. If you use a generic calculator, you will think you are failing when you are actually on track.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about CA Credits, A-G Requirements & Graduation

How many credits do you need to graduate high school in California 2026?
Most California high schools require between 220 and 230 credits to graduate. While the absolute state minimum is 130 credits, almost every district (including LAUSD) enforces a higher standard to ensure college readiness. Always check your specific district handbook.
How many credits is one class worth in California?
In the standard California system, a one-semester class is worth 5 credits, and a full-year class is worth 10 credits. NOTE: San Diego Unified (SDUSD) is an exception, where a year-long class is typically worth 2 credits on their specific scale.
What happens if I am missing 10 credits for graduation?
If you are missing 10 credits, you are essentially missing one full-year class (or two semester classes). You will need to make this up through Summer School, Adult School, or Credit Recovery programs like Edgenuity. You typically cannot graduate until these are completed.
What are the A-G requirements for UC and CSU?
A-G requirements are 15 specific year-long courses you must pass with a grade of ‘C-‘ or better to apply to UC or CSU colleges. This is stricter than the high school diploma requirement, which allows ‘D’ grades for passing.
Does PE (Physical Education) count as credits?
Yes. California law requires students to pass 2 years of PE (20 credits) to graduate. However, PE credits usually do not count towards the academic GPA for college admissions.
Can I graduate with only 130 credits in California?
Technically, yes, 130 credits is the California state mandated minimum. However, this is usually reserved for students in alternative education or continuation schools. Traditional comprehensive high schools almost always require 220 credits.
What is the LAUSD Service Learning Project?
In Los Angeles Unified (LAUSD), students must complete a Service Learning Project to graduate. This involves identifying a community need and creating a project to address it. It is a mandatory non-credit requirement.
How many credits should a high school Junior have?
To be “on track” at the start of Junior year (11th grade), you should generally have around 110 to 120 credits. If you have fewer than 100, you may need to speak with a counselor about credit recovery.
Can I make up credits during Senior year?
Yes, but it is risky. Seniors can take “0 period” or “7th period” classes, or attend night school/adult school. It is crucial to finish these before May of your graduation year to ensure your transcripts are processed in time.
Do electives count towards graduation?
Absolutely. In fact, “Electives” make up the largest chunk of required credits (usually 60-80 credits). Classes like Art, Woodshop, or extra academic classes all count towards this total.
What is the difference between Weighted and Unweighted credits?
Credits are usually the same (5 per semester) regardless of the class difficulty. However, “Weighted” refers to the GPA points. An AP or Honors class might give you 5.0 GPA points for an ‘A’, whereas a regular class gives 4.0.
How do I check my high school transcript credits?
Most California districts use online portals like Aeries, PowerSchool, or Infinite Campus. Log in to your student/parent portal and look for a tab labeled “Graduation Status” or “Credit Summary.”
Does San Diego Unified have different requirements?
Yes. SDUSD uses a different credit scale where the total needed is often 44 credits (instead of 220). They also have specific requirements for “Identity and Agency” courses under their new framework.
Can I walk at graduation if I am missing 5 credits?
It depends on the principal, but usually No. Most schools have a strict policy that you must complete all requirements to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Are community service hours required for a diploma?
It varies by district. While the state does not mandate it, many districts (like LAUSD and Anaheim Union) require a specific number of service hours (e.g., 40 hours) as a graduation prerequisite.

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