In Colorado, the number of credits required to graduate high school varies somewhat by district and school, but generally falls between 22 and 24.5 credits:
- Many Colorado schools require a minimum of 22 credits to graduate, along with completion of a Senior Capstone project or similar graduation project
- Some districts, such as Jeffco Public Schools, require 23 credits plus demonstration of Postsecondary Workforce Readiness (PWR) in reading, writing, and math
- Montrose High School requires 24.5 credits plus community service hours for graduation
- Poudre School District specifies 240 total credits (which typically equates to 24 credits), distributed across core subjects like Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies
The Colorado Department of Education sets state-level minimum graduation guidelines that include credit requirements, career readiness demonstrations, and completion of courses such as Civics, but local districts have authority to set specific credit totals and additional requirements
Typical Credit Breakdown Example (from GOAL High School):
- Language Arts: 4.0 credits
- Mathematics: 3.0 credits
- Social Studies: 3.0 credits
- Science: 2.0 credits
- Health: 0.5 credits
- Electives: 9.5 credits
- Total: 22 credits
Summary:
- Most Colorado high schools require 22 to 24.5 credits to graduate.
- Additional requirements often include a capstone project, demonstration of college/career readiness, and completion of specific courses like Civics.
- Exact credit requirements depend on the local school district or school.
For precise graduation credit requirements, students should consult their specific school or district guidelines.
