To earn a high school diploma, each student enrolled in high school must meet the graduation requirements for their cohort (the year the student initially entered the 9th grade).

Legislation

Florida students entering grade nine may choose from one of four options to earn a standard diploma.

• 24-credit program18-credit,
• Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) option
• An International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum
• An Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) curriculum

Florida's public high school graduation requirements are specified in the following sections of the Florida Statute (F.S.):
Section 1003.4282, F.S., Requirements for a standard high school diploma (effective July 1, 2013)
Section 1002.3105, F.S., Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning (ACCEL) options
*In addition to the four options available for students to earn a standard diploma listed above, Rule 6A-1.09963, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), High School Graduation Requirements for Students with Disabilities, outlines two additional options that students with disabilities may complete within the 24-credit program.

Standard High School Diploma Designations

Students may earn one or more designations on their standard high school diploma—the scholar designation and the merit designation per s. 1003.4285, F.S. Requirements are listed in the graduation requirements charts by grade nine entering cohort year.

Transfer Students

If a student transfers into a Florida public high school from out of country, out of state, a private school or a home school, the student's transcript is reviewed to determine if the student is required to take a Florida end-of-course (EOC) assessment in accordance with Rule 6A-1.09941, F.A.C., State Uniform Transfer of High School Credit. Refer to the High School Mathematics Statewide Assessments by State (PDF) chart for a listing of statewide assessment mathematics exit exams and Algebra 1 statewide assessments.

Graduation Program Planning

FloridaShines provides an array of academic advising, career readiness and distance learning resources for students and parents. These state-funded academic advising services make it easy for high school students to prepare for college or a career after graduation by enabling them to evaluate their progress toward high school graduation, college and career readiness and scholarship eligibility. In addition, they can explore Florida's college and university offerings (both traditional and distance learning programs), learn about financial aid and apply for admission. Dual enrolled high school students and those in accelerated education programs can even access online library resources used within Florida's colleges and universities.

The Florida Counseling for Future Education Handbook is annually updated to provide school counselors and advisors with a comprehensive academic advising resource to guide students with planning for postsecondary education in Florida.