Decatur School District

The state of Arkansas requires each student to earn 22 total credits in academic core subjects, complete CPR training, pass the AR Civics exam, earn a minimum of one (1) credit of an approved Computer Science course, and earn 75 clock hours of documented community service in order to be eligible to graduate. Find the Arkansas Department of Education’s graduation requirements HERE.

CORE ACADEMIC GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• English Language Arts (4 Credits)
  •  ADE Approved English 9 – 1 Credit
  • ADE Approved English 10 – 1 Credit
  • ADE Approved English 11 – 1 Credit
  • ADE Approved English 12 – 1 Credit
• Mathematics (4 Credits)
  • Algebra 1 – 1 Credit
  • Geometry – 1 credit
  • Algebra 2 or Quanitative Reasoning – 1 Credit
  • ADE Approved Mathematics or *Computer Science Flex – 1 Credit
• Science (3 Credits)
  • ADE Approved Biology – 1 Credit
  • ADE Approved Physical Science – 1 Credit
  • ADE Approved 3^rd Science or *Computer Science Flex – 1 Credit
• Social Studies (3 Credits)
  • ​​​​​​​ADE Approved US History – 1 Credit
  • ADE Approved World History – 1 Credit
  • ADE Approved Civics – 0.5 Credit
  • ADE Approved Economics with Personal Finance – 0.5 Credit
• Career Focused Electives or Additional Content (6 Credits)
• Oral Communication – 0.5 Credit
• Physical Education – 0.5 Credit
• Health & Safety – 0.5 Credit
• Fine Arts – 0.5 Credit

ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• Must complete 75 clock hours of documented community service in grades 9-12; requirement begins for 2027 Graduates
• Must pass the Arkansas Civics Exam with a 60% or higher
• Must complete CPR training
• Must earn one (1) credit of ADE Approved Computer Science or Computer Science related career and technical education cours; requirement begins for 2026 graduates

*NOTE: Per Commissioner’s Memo LS-25-032 of 6/18/2025, beginning in the 2026-27 school year all Year 1 Computer Science courses will no longer count towards the 4^th Math credit. Students who have received credit for a Year 1 Computer Science course prior to the 2026-27 school year will receive a 4^th math credit for their computer science course. Year 2 and Year 3 computer science courses will continue to count towards a 4^th Math credit. All current Computer Science courses will continue to count toward the 3^rd Science credit.

The course choice program, established by the LEARNS Act, expands access to high-quality courses for Arkansas students in grades 6th-12^th. Course choice enables studetns to enroll in courses not offered at their resident school and supports personalized pathways that prepare students to become enrolled, employed, or enlisted after graduation.

HOW COURSE CHOICE WORKS (At A Glance)

1. Students explore the catalog & identify courses of interest
2. Families & counselors review prerequisites & requirements
3. Students apply through the online catalog
4. The resident school approves or denies each request
5. Students enroll & complete the course with ongoing support

ACCESS THE CATALOG

The Course Choice Catalog is the central location where students, families, and schools can explore Course Choice offerings and view approved providers, course descriptions, and program information.

ARKANSAS COURSE CHOICE CATALOG

USER GUIDES & INFORMATION

• Course Choice Program - Student & Family Guide
• Course Choice Catalog - Student User Guide
• Course Choice Program Info Flyer Families & Students