E.C.H.O. Charter School

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In Minnesota, students are required to complete two kinds of requirements by the time they graduate. Students must:

• Satisfactorily complete all state academic standards or local academic standards where state standards do not apply.

• Satisfactorily complete the state credit requirements under Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 120B.024.

Credits

Students complete the academic standards by taking a course of study that equips them with the knowledge and skills they need for success in postsecondary education, highly skilled work, and civic life. In order to graduate, your child’s high school coursework must include at least the minimum state credit requirements. A credit is equivalent to a student successfully completing an academic year of study or mastering the subject matter, as determined by the local school district. E.C.H.O. Charter School students must complete a minimum of 23.5 course credits as follows:

• 4 credits of language arts, sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in English language arts

• 3 credits of mathematics, encompassing Algebra II, Integrated Mathematics III, or an equivalent in high school as defined by the high school math standards. Grade 8 students must complete Algebra as defined by the Minnesota Math Standards.  

• 3 credits of science, including one credit to satisfy all the earth and space science standards for grades 9 through 12, one credit to satisfy all the life science standards for grades 9 through 12, and one credit to satisfy all the chemistry or physics standards for grades 9 through 12.

• 3½ credits of social studies, including credit for a course in government and citizenship in either grade 11 or 12 for students beginning grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year and later or an advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or other rigorous course on government and citizenship, and a combination of other credits encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in social studies. 

• 1 credit in the arts

• 1 Credit in Physical Education, credit is determined at the local level. Credits sufficient to satisfy the state standards in physical education;

• 1 Credit in Health Education, credit is determined at the local level. Must meet locally developed standard requirements.

• 7 elective credits

• Students who begin grade 9 in the 2024-25 school year and later must successfully complete a course for credit in personal finance in grade 10, 11, or 12. A teacher of a personal finance course that satisfies the graduation requirement must have a field license or out-of-field permission in agricultural education, business, family and consumer science, social studies, or math.