Academics

The Foundation High School Program identifies the minimum requirements that all Texas public school students need to satisfy to earn a high school diploma. Pleasant Grove students will meet with their counselor to ensure a graduation plan following the individual goals of each student. To graduate under the Foundation High School Program, students must earn a minimum of 22 credits in the following areas: 

• English- 4 credits 
• Math- 3 credits
• Science- 3 credits
• Social Studies- 4 credits (Local policy)
• LOTE- 2 credits (Languages Other than English)
• Fine Arts-1 credit
• PE-1 credit; must include Foundations of Personal Fitness (0.5)
• Speech- 0.5 credit 
• Technology- 1 credit
• Electives-2.5 credits

End of Course Exam Requirements-students are required to pass five end-of-course (EOC) exams to earn a diploma from a Texas public high school. Those five exams are given when a student takes English I and II, Biology, Algebra I, and U.S. History. A student who fails an EOC exam for no more than two of five courses can still receive a diploma if he or she qualifies to graduate as a result of an individual graduation committee review.

Instruction on Proper Interaction with Peace Officers Students must receive instruction in proper interaction with police officers at least once before graduation from high school.

• Instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Students must receive instruction in CPR at least once in grades 7-12 before graduation.
• FAFSA/TAFSA Submission In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, beginning with students enrolled in 12th grade during the 2021-2022 school year, each student must do one of the following in order to graduate:  
  • Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
  • Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA); 
  • Submit a signed opt-out form.

• The Foundation High School Program identifies the minimum requirements that all Texas public school students need to satisfy to earn a high school diploma. Pleasant Grove students will meet with their counselor to ensure a graduation plan following the individual goals of each student. To graduate under the Foundation High School Program, students must earn a minimum of 22 credits in the following areas: 

• English- 4 credits 
• Math- 3 credits
• Science- 3 credits
• Social Studies- 4 credits (Local policy)
• LOTE- 2 credits (Languages Other than English)
• Fine Arts-1 credit
• PE-1 credit
• Electives-4 credits

• End of Course Exam Requirements-students are required to pass five end-of-course (EOC) exams to earn a diploma from a Texas public high school. Those five exams are given when a student takes English I and II, Biology, Algebra I, and U.S. History. A student who fails an EOC exam for no more than two of five courses can still receive a diploma if he or she qualifies to graduate as a result of an individual graduation committee review.
• Instruction on Proper Interaction with Peace Officers Students must receive instruction in proper interaction with police officers at least once before graduation from high school.

• Instruction in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Students must receive instruction in CPR at least once in grades 7-12 before graduation.
• FAFSA/TAFSA Submission In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, beginning with students enrolled in 12th grade during the 2021-2022 school year, each student must do one of the following in order to graduate:  
  • Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
  • Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA); 
  • Submit a signed opt-out form

• Foundation High School Plan with Endorsements Students may earn one or more endorsements as part of their high school diploma. An endorsement consists of a sequence of courses that are grouped together by interest or occupational skill. They provide students with in-depth knowledge of a subject area or a high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand occupation. Pleasant Grove students must earn at least 26 total credits to graduate under this plan and have met the Foundation High School Program required courses (as listed above). Students can choose one or more from five endorsement areas which include:

1. Arts and Humanities (one of the following)

• 4 levels of fine arts or 2 levels of 2 different fine arts
• 4 levels of LOTE or 2 levels of 2 different LOTE
• 5^th credit of social studies
• 1 credit English IV

2. Business and Industry (a sequence of courses in one of the following areas or a combination of courses from no more than two areas)

• CTE business and industry- related Programs of Study 
• Architecture and construction
• Arts, audio-video technology, and communications; Information Technology 
• Business management and administration; Finance; Marketing
• English electives in public speaking, debate, advanced broadcast journalism, and advanced journalism, including newspaper and yearbook 
• Hospitality and tourism 
• Manufacturing 
• Transportation, distribution, and logistics

3. Multidisciplinary (one of the following) 

•   Four advanced courses that prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary education without remediation 

•   Four credits in each foundation subject area, including chemistry and/ or physics and English IV 

•   Four credits in dual credit courses selected from English, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, LOTE or fine arts

4. Public Services (a sequence of courses in one of the following areas)

• CTE public-service-related Programs of Study
• Human services 
• Law, public safety, corrections, and security 
• Health science 
• Education and training

5. STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (a sequence of courses in one of the following areas or a combination of courses from no more than two areas) 

•   CTE STEM courses or an approved STEM-related Program of Study 

•   Mathematics (2 advanced math courses beyond Algebra 2)

•   Science (2 advanced science courses with Chemistry and Physics/Princ. of Tech.)

Distinguished Level of Achievement: The distinguished level of achievement requires: 

• A total of four credits in math, including Algebra II;
• A total of four credits in science; and
• Successful completion of an endorsement in your area of interest.
  • A student must earn the distinguished level of achievement to be admitted to a Texas public university under the Top 10 percent automatic admission law.
  • The University of Texas at Austin can limit automatic admission to fewer students than the top 10%. Check with your counselor to learn about the percent of students eligible for automatic admission at UT Austin.
  • For more information about automatic admission law, please go to: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/graduation-information/automatic-college-admission

Performance Acknowledgments note outstanding achievement in specific areas. These distinctions will be included in your high school transcript and better position you for successful entry into college and/or the workforce. Performance Acknowledgments Areas include:

• Dual credit courses
• Bilingualism and biliteracy
• PSAT, ACT ASPIRE®, SAT, or ACT
• Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams
• State-, nationally- or internationally-recognized business or industry certification or license