Graduation Pathways

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Below you will find the minimum coursework a student must complete in order to graduate from Torrey Pines High School:

History/Social Science -- 3 years (30 credits)required.
One year of world history, one year of U.S. history, one-half year of American government, and one-half year of economics.
English -- 4 years (40 credits) required.
English 9, English 10, English 11, and English 12.
Mathematics -- 3 years (30 credits) required.
Three years of mathematics that includes one year of algebra.
Science -- 2 years (20 credits) required.
One year of life science and one year of physical science.
Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) -- 1 year (10 credits) required.
One year of visual or performing arts.
Health--one semester (5 credits) required.
Practical Art--one semester (5 credits) required.
Physical Education -- 2 years (20 credits) required.
Electives--(70 credits) required.

Below you will find the minimum coursework a student must complete in order to apply to a community college:

In order to be eligible to attend a community college, students must have satisfied any ONE of the following:

  1. Reached their 18th birthday.
  2. Have graduated from high school.
  3. Have reached their 16th birthday and passed the California High School Proficiency exam.
* For the complete listing of California community colleges, click here.

Below you will find the minimum coursework a student must complete in order to apply to a CSU school:

"a" History/Social Science -- 2 years required.
Including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government and 1 year of social science.
"b" English -- 4 years required.
4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature.
"c" Mathematics -- 3 years required.
(4 years is recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year).
"d" Laboratory Science -- 2 years required.
Including 1 biological science and 1 physical science.
"e" Language Other than English -- 2 years required.
2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable.
"f" Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) -- 1 year required.
Dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art.
"g" College Preparatory Electives -- 1 year required.
One more year of any college preparatory subject.

* For the official CSU website, click here: http://www.csumentor.com/

Below you will find the minimum coursework a student must complete in order to apply to a UC school under the "a-g" option for admission:

"a" History/Social Science -- 2 years required.
Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
"b" English -- 4 years required.
Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. Not more than two semesters of ninth-grade English can be used to meet this requirement.
"c" Mathematics -- 3 years required, 4 years recommended.
Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.
"d" Laboratory Science -- 2 years required, 3 years recommended.
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three core disciplines: biology (which includes anatomy, physiology, marine biology, aquatic biology, etc.), chemistry and physics.The final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement. Not more than one year of ninth-grade laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.
"e" Language Other than English -- 2 years required, 3 years recommended.
Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in language other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grade may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
"f" Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) -- 1 year required.
One year of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.
"g" College Preparatory Electives -- 1 year required.
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).

* For a specific a-g course listing for Torrey Pines or any other California accredited high school, click on the following link: https://pathways.ucop.edu/doorways/list/

* For the official UC website, click here: http://www.ucop.edu/pathways/

For students who seek admission to private colleges, visit the admissions website for each college and pay particular attention to the requirements.

Below are some links to admissions websites for some private colleges: