Five things you need to know about high school graduation requirements in Nevada:

1. The credit requirements to receive a standard high school diploma in the State of Nevada have not changed.  The total number of credits required to graduate is 22.5.  The following are the 15 credit core requirements: 

• Four credits of English

• Three credits in mathematics

• Two credits of science

• One credit of American Government

• One credit in arts and humanities

• One credit in American History

• Two credits in PE

• ½ credit in health education

• ½ credit in computers

The remaining credits needed for graduation are elective and therefore not identified per content area.

2. As per NRS 389.018, 9^th grade students, beginning in the 2007-2008 school year and each class thereafter, must enroll in the following:

• Four credits of English

• Four credits of mathematics, including Algebra I and Geometry or equivalent integrated courses

• Three credits of science, including two laboratory classes

• Three credits of social studies, including American Government, American History, and World History or Geography

Each district in Nevada has the option of adding to the credit requirements (see the district link options below in Appendix A for specific district credit requirements).

3. In addition to earning 22.5 credits students, must pass the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) in reading, math, and writing. Beginning with the class of 2010, students must also pass the HSPE in science.

   1. The reading portion of the HSPE is composed of multiple-choice questions that demonstrate the student’s depth of knowledge (cognitive domains).  Students demonstrate reading proficiency by responding to question based on skills pertaining to:  

      1. Comprehension, interpretation, and evaluation of authors, cultures and times in literary text;

      2. Comprehension, interpretation, and evaluation for specific purposes in expository text.

   2. The math portion of the HSPE is composed of multiple-choice questions that demonstrate the student’s depth of knowledge (cognitive domains). Students demonstrate math proficiency by responding to questions based on skills pertaining to:   

      1. Numbers and operations;   

      2. Algebra and functions;

      3. Geometry and measurement;

      4. Data analysis; and

      5. Probability and statistics.

   3. The writing portion of the HSPE is a performance based test requiring students to demonstrate writing proficiency by responding in writing to two prompts:  one narrative or descriptive and one persuasive or expository.  Students demonstrate proficiency in writing based on the Nevada holistic rubric.  

   4. The science portion of the HSPE is composed of multiple-choice questions that demonstrate the student’s depth of knowledge (cognitive domains). Students demonstrate science proficiency by responding to questions based on skills pertaining to:

      1. Physical science;

      2. Life science;

      3. Earth/space science; and

      4. The nature of science.

4. If a student achieves a passing score on any portion of the HSPE, he or she does not have to retake that portion.  Currently, students have multiple opportunities to retake the assessment.

5. Students will need to complete 2 semesters or earn 5 units of credit to be promoted to grade 10, they will need to have completed 4 semesters or earn 11 units of credit to be promoted to 11th grade, and complete 6 semesters or earn 17 units of credit to be promoted to grade 12.

Graduating From High School in Nevada

+ School Districts are permitted to raise course hour requirements for graduation.

++If a student successfully completes a course of study in computers in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, they are not required to take the course of study in computers in high school and the total core course requirement is reduced by .5 unit.

* Remaining credits required for graduation are considered elective credits.

APPENDIX A

Nevada School Districts

Churchill County School District

 

Clark County School District (pdf)

 

Douglas County School District (pdf)

 

Elko County School District (pdf)

 

Esmeralda County School District

No High School – Students transported to Tonopah High School in Nye County.

 

Eureka County School District (pdf)

 

Humboldt County School District (pdf)

 

Lander County School District (pdf)

 

Lincoln County School District

 

Lyon County School District (pdf)

  

Mineral County School District (pdf)

  

Nye County School District

 

Carson City School District (pdf)

 

Pershing County School District

 

Storey County School District

 

Washoe County School District

 

White Pine County School District (pdf)