Academics

Graduation Requirements

In order to qualify for a diploma from Pacifica Christian High School (PCH) each student must meet the following requirements.

  1. Complete not less than 230 semester credits of classroom or supervised activities in grades 9-12 with passing grades (D or better). Satisfactory attendance and good citizenship are reflected in academic grades and credits completed.
  2. Complete the following subject matter requirements in grades 9-12 with passing grades.

English (4 Years/40 credits)

• Ancient Literature and Composition: One Year/10 Credits

• World Literature and Composition: One Year/10 Credits

• American Literature or AP Language and Composition: One Year/10 Credits

• Great Books or AP Literature and Composition: One Year/10 Credits

History (3 Years/30 credits*)

• Ancient and Medieval History: One Semester/5 Credits

• Modern World History: One semester/5 credits or AP European History: One Year/10 Credits

• US History or AP US History: One Year/10 Credits

• US Government: One Semester/5 Credits

• Foundations of the 20th Century: One Semester/5 Credits

 *Students in AP European History are required to take 3.5 years of history (35 credits)

 Science (3 Years/30 credits)

• Biology: One Year/10 Credits (required)

• Chemistry: One Year/10 Credits (required)

• Physics: One Year/10 Credits

• AP Biology: One Year/10 Credits

• AP Physics: One Year/10 Credits

• AP Chemistry: One Year/10 Credits

 Mathematics (3 Years/30 credits)

• Algebra 1: One Year/10 Credits

• Geometry: One Year/10 Credits

• Algebra 2: One Year/10 Credits

• Pre-calculus: One Year/10 Credits

• AP Calculus AB: One Year/10 Credits

• AP Statistics: One Year/10 Credits

Students must take the classes listed above in sequential order. After Pre-calculus students may choose AP Calculus AB or AP Statistics.

Foreign Language (2 Years/20 credits)

• Spanish 1 or Latin 1: One Year/10 Credits

• Spanish 2 or Latin 2: One Year/10 Credits

• Spanish 3 or Latin 3: One Year/10 Credits

• Latin 4 Honors: One Year/10 Credits

• AP Spanish Language: One Year/10 Credits

• AP Spanish Literature: One Year/10 Credits

Students are required to take two successive years in the same language.

UC Approved Visual and Performing Arts (1Year/10 credits)

10 credits of VPA must be completed in a year-long UC approved sequence in either Introduction to Theatre, American Cinema, Drawing and Painting, Mixed Media, Photography, or AP Studio Art.

Theology (2 Years/20 credits)

• Old Testament: One Semester/5 Credits

• New Testament: One Semester/5 Credits

• Church History: One Year/10 Credits

Physical Education/Team Sports (2 Years/20 credits)

• Fall sports: Girls’ Volleyball, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Basketball Coniditioning, Sailing 

• Winter sports: Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer, Cheerleading, Sailing 

• Spring sports: Boys' volleyball, Track, Golf, Boys’ Baseball, Sailing, Girls' Softball 

Each season of a sport counts as one semester/5 credits. Year-round options: PE or Sports Medicine/10 credits

Pacifica Electives (3 Years/30 credits)

Students must complete 3 years/30 elective credits. Students may choose from the options listed below:

• Academic classes that exceed the minimum requirement in science, math, or foreign language.

• VPA classes: both UC approved and non-UC approved

• Student Government

• Teacher’s Assistant

• Theatre Performance in a school musical or play

• Theatre Production of a school musical or play

 Pacifica’s required coursework exceeds the minimum requirements for entrance into the University of California System, California State University System, and most private colleges and universities.