High School Diploma

An American high school diploma is awarded after successfully completing four years of high school (grades 9 through 12) and marks the completion of secondary education in the United States.

Requirements

To earn the diploma, students must complete a set number of courses in core subjects — English, math, science, social studies, and physical education — often alongside standardized testing.

Why it matters

In the U.S., the diploma is the baseline requirement for entering the workforce or applying to a college or university. It doesn't guarantee admission to higher education, but it's treated as the minimum requirement almost everywhere.

Honors

Students who take on a particularly demanding course load and perform strongly can graduate with distinctions such as Academic High Honors.