Mathematics is an exciting field with many applications in and out of STEM careers. Students are encouraged to learn as much mathematics as possible to keep doors open to educational, career, and life choices.   

The Washington State graduation requirements in Mathematics include: 

• Three (3) credits of Mathematics 
• Minimum of Algebra 1, Geometry and a third credit that meets the student’s education and career goals identified in the high school and beyond plan. 
• Dual credit courses may help fulfill the pathway in the high school and beyond plan.   
• The grade 10 Smarter Balanced Assessment can be used to help meet a student’s graduation pathway requirement.   

Most universities recommend that students take four years of mathematics in high school. Students should check requirements and recommendations for potential post-secondary plans.

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) adopted by Washington State in 2013 identify student learning in science that should occur by the end of the 9th - 12th grades. These standards will be assessed in the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) in spring of the 11th grade year. While all science courses may be used to fulfill the science requirements for graduation, it is strongly recommended that students receive one year each of Biology in the Earth System, Chemistry in the Earth System, and Physics in the Universe to ensure success on the WCAS. 

Graduation requirements include three (3) credits of science: 

• Two (2) credits Laboratory Science*
• One (1) credit may be Non-Laboratory Science 

*Laboratory Science courses involve interacting primarily with data drawn from the real world using the tools, data collection techniques, models, and theories of science.

In this STEM Global Health Signature Program, students will explore global health through the lens of literature, social science, body systems, and disease detection and prevention. Laboratory investigations, problem-based learning, and a variety of public health related readings will play a prominent role in the program. Opportunities to work with community partners and explore health career options will be an integral part of the course.

Health and Physical Education classes provide standards-aligned learning experiences for students to become health and physically literate.  

• In Health Education, students will develop into health literate individuals who are able to access, understand, appraise, apply and advocate for health information and services in order to maintain or enhance one's own health and the health of others.  
• In Physical Education, students will develop into physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity.  

  To earn a high school diploma, students must earn 2.0 credits in health and physical education.  

•  .5 credit is met by taking a semester-long health course.  
• 1.5 credits represent the physical education portion of the requirement and are met by course work in physical education.   

Students can choose from a diverse list of courses to meet their individual interests to fulfill the graduation requirements.  

Visual and performing arts courses in Lake Washington School District:

• Cultivate positive artistic dispositions that nurture creative, self-confident young artists. 
• Build on standards-aligned foundational concepts and skills. 
• Value student voice by developing techniques and ways of thinking that enable students to use art to express their own perceptions, experiences, and views. 
• Offer students the ability to relate both personally and meaningfully to works of art and, through this process, to forge societal, cultural, and historical connections. 
• Provide opportunities for all students not only to learn about and respond thoughtfully to art, but also actively participate in making it. 
• Engage students in developing knowledge and skills in order for them to become proficient in the use of artistic tools, processes, and materials.  

The graduation requirements in Fine Arts include:  

• Two (2) credits of Fine Arts 
• One (1) of the two (2) credits can be PPR* 

*Personalized Pathway Requirements (PPR) are related courses that lead to a specific post-high school career or educational outcome chosen by the student based on the student’s interests and High School and Beyond Plan, that may include Career & Technical Education. 

Some colleges/universities require two semesters of sequential art courses.  Students should check admission requirements for their potential post-secondary plans.   

Learning to communicate in languages of the world helps students become global citizens, ready for life in the interconnected world of the 21st century.  The courses of study in World Languages are based on national standards and proficiency guidelines as outlined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, emphasizing real-world communicative skills. 

Washington State graduation requirements in World Languages are: 

• Two (2) credits (years) of the same world language.  

Alternatively, students may meet world language graduation requirements through one of the following two alternative pathways: 

• Credit through proficiency: heritage or native speakers of a language other than English may take the World Languages Proficiency Test, earning up to 4 high school credits and the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy. More information available here. 
• A student may elect to pursue credit in areas other than world language if the choice is based on a career-oriented course of study identified in the student’s High School and Beyond Plan. 

Most universities recommend that students take at least three years of the same world language in high school. Students should check requirements and recommendations for potential post-secondary plans.