OAO: Two Diploma Pathways

We highly recommend pathway 1. Pathway 1 allows more flexibility. Pathway 2 requires specific courses and testing. 

OAO Diploma: The OAO diploma has the same total credits as the Florida standard diploma but has some specific subject requirements listed below. 

The following is required to earn an OAO diploma: 

• 24 credits 
• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale 
• Must pass the Grade 10 ELA assessment or ACT/SAT concordant score. 
• Must pass Algebra 1 EOC 
• VR Research Presentation – Senior Year 

College Track – Recommended Courses: 

• 2 years of World Language (including 1 year of Latin) 

Courses required to graduate – Courses with an asterisk (*) are required to graduate: 

• 4 Credits English Language Arts 
  • Students must pass the Grade 10 English Language Arts (ELA) statewide assessment or a concordant score. 

• 4 Credits Mathematics 
  • One of which must be Algebra 1 and one of which must be Geometry. 
  • An identified computer science credit may substitute for up to one mathematics credit (except for Algebra 1 and Geometry). 
  • Students must pass the Algebra 1 EOC 

• 3 Credits Science 
  • One of which must be Biology 1, two of which must be equally rigorous science courses. 
  • Two of the three required course credits must have a laboratory component. 
  • An identified computer science credit may substitute for up to one science credit (except for Biology 1). 

• 3 Credits Social Studies 
  • 1 credit in World History 
  • 1 credit in U.S. History 
  • 0.5 credit in U.S. Government 
  • 0.5 credit in Economics with Financial Literacy 

• 1 Credit Fine and Performing Arts, Speech and Debate, or Practical Arts* 
• 1 Credit Physical Education 
  • To include the integration of health 

• 8 Elective Credits 
• Students must earn a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for all cohort years and pass statewide, standardized assessments unless a waiver of assessment results is granted by the IEP team for students with disabilities. 
• Students enrolled in the following courses must participate in the corresponding EOC assessment, which constitutes 30 percent of the final course grade: 
  • Algebra 1 
  • Geometry 
  • Biology 1 
  • U.S. History 

Physical Education  

This includes one credit of Physical Education (to include the integration of health). OAO has a number of options that qualify for the Physical Education requirements: 

• Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE) (1 credit) 
• Personal Fitness (.5 credit) and Fitness Lifestyle Design (.5 credit) 
• Personal Fitness (.5 credit) and Outdoor Education (.5 credit) 

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 chart. 

State Assessments for High School Graduation 

Information related to statewide assessment requirements is available in Graduation Requirements for Florida’s Statewide Assessments (PDF). 

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 Students in Middle Grades and High School. 

Graduation Program Planning 

FloridaShines provides an array of academic advising, career readiness and online 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 Bright Futures scholarship eligibility. In addition, they can explore Florida’s college and university offerings (both traditional and online 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 (PDF) 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.