Academic Honors Diploma

Credit Requirements & Diploma Options #

To earn an Indiana University High School diploma, you have to successfully complete at least 40 (47 for Honors) credits in various subject areas. At least 10 credits must be earned through IUHS courses. As an IUHS student, you can select from any of three diploma options, all of which lead to an accredited diploma. The option you select determines the requirements you have to fulfill. Your options include

Indiana University High School graduates have gone on to dozens of prestigious colleges and universities.

The academic honors diploma is recommended for students wanting to pursue a rigorous, advanced course of study during their high school years. Use the academic honors planning sheet below to help decide what courses to take and when.

Academic Honors Diploma Requirements #

The academic honors diploma is based on the Indiana state requirement for honors diplomas. To complete an academic honors diploma, you must:

  • complete a minimum of 47 credits.
  • currently have and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
  • earn a "C" or above in courses that will count toward the diploma.
  • earn the required number of credits in specific academic areas.

In addition to the diploma requirements, you need to complete one of the following options:

  • 2 two-semester advanced placement courses (4 high school credits) OR
    • Note that IU High School does not administer AP Exams
  • 2 three-hour academic college courses from accredited colleges OR
  • 1 two-semester advanced placement course AND 1 three-hour academic college course from an accredited college OR
  • earn a composite score of 1250 or higher on the SAT and a minimum of 560 on math and 590 on the evidence based reading and writing section OR
  • an ACT composite score of 26 or higher

Language Arts
8 credits, including the required:

  • English 9
  • English 10

PLUS
4 elective credits from the following:

  • Creative Writing
  • English 11 Semesters 1 and 2
  • English Literature Semesters 1 and 2
  • American Literature Semesters 1 and 2
  • Mysteries
  • Five Novels of Change
  • Five Novels of Conflict
  • Speech
  • AP Language and Composition

Mathematics
8 credits:

  • Algebra I, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Geometry, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Algebra II, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Precalculus, Semesters 1 and 2

OR

  • Geometry, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Algebra II, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Precalculus, Semesters 1 and 2
  • AP Calculus, Semesters 1 and 2

Science
6 credits in laboratory science, including:

  • Biology I, Semesters 1 and 2

PLUS
4 credits from:

  • Physics I, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Chemistry, Semesters 1 and 2
  • Introductory Earth and Space Science I, Semesters 1 and 2

Social Studies
6 credits:

  • U.S. History (may substitute AP U.S. History), Semesters 1 and 2
  • World History or Geography and History of the World, Semesters 1 and 2
  • U.S. Economics
  • U.S. Government

Health Education
1 credit:

  • Health and Wellness

World Languages
6–8 credits (6 credits of one language or 4 credits of one and 4 of another):

  • French I, II, and III (two semesters each)
  • German I, II, and III (two semesters each)
  • Spanish I, II, and III (two semesters each)
  • or other IUHS-approved qualified languages transferred from another school

Career Development
1 credit:

  • Personal and Professional Development

Fine Arts
2 credits from:

  • Introduction to Two-Dimensional Art
  • Art History and Appreciation
  • Theatre Arts History

Electives
7–9 credits:

  • You are encouraged to take academic courses in order to create a strong transcript. For suggestions, please talk to an advisor.

[Effective March 14, 2022]

Academic Honors Planning #

Freshman

First Six Months

  • English 9: First Semester
  • World History & Civilization: First Semester OR Geography & History of the World: First Semester
  • Algebra I: First Semester (Geometry if you took Algebra I in the 8th grade)
  • Biology I: First Semester
  • Choice of world language: first year, first semester
  • 1 elective credit OR 1 credit in fine arts

Second Six Months

  • English 9: Second Semester
  • World History & Civilization: Second Semester OR Geography & History of the World: Second Semester
  • Algebra I: Second Semester (Geometry if you took Algebra I in the 8th grade)
  • Biology I: Second Semester
  • Choice of world language: first year, second semester
  • 1 elective credit OR 1 credit in fine arts

Sophomore

First Six Months

  • English 10: First Semester
  • Geometry: First Semester (Algebra II if you took Algebra I in the 8th grade)
  • Health and Wellness Education
  • Choice of world language: second year, first semester
  • 1 credit in science
  • 1 elective credit

Second Six Months

  • English 10: Second Semester
  • Geometry: Second Semester (Algebra II if you took Algebra I in the 8th grade)
  • Choice of world language: second year, second semester
  • 1 credit in science
  • 1 elective credit
  • 1 elective credit

Junior

First Six Months

  • English elective
  • U.S. History: First Semester OR AP U.S. History: First Semester
  • Algebra II: First Semester (Precalculus if you took Algebra I in the 8th grade)
  • Choice of world language: third year, first semester
  • 1 credit in science
  • Personal & Professional Development

Second Six Months

  • English elective
  • U.S. History: Second Semester OR AP U.S. History: First Semester
  • Algebra II: Second Semester (Precalculus if you took Algebra I in the 8th grade)
  • Choice of world language: third year, second semester
  • 1 credit in science
  • 1 elective credit

Senior

First Six Months

  • English elective
  • U.S. Government OR U.S. Economics
  • Precalculus: First Semester (Calculus if you took Algebra I in the 8th grade)
  • Choice of second world language OR elective if you have completed three years of one language
  • 1 elective credit
  • 1 elective credit

Second Six Months

  • English elective
  • U.S. Government OR U.S. Economics
  • Precalculus: Second Semester (Calculus if you took Algebra I in the 8th grade)
  • Choice of second world language OR elective if you have completed three years of one language
  • 1 elective credit 

Additional Requirements

In addition to the diploma requirements, you need to complete one of the following options:

  • 2 two-semester advanced placement courses (4 high school credits) OR
    • Note that IU High School does not administer AP Exams
  • 2 three-hour academic college courses from accredited colleges OR
  • 1 two-semester advanced placement course AND 1 three-hour academic college course from an accredited college OR
  • earn a composite score of 1250 or higher on the SAT and a minimum of 560 on math and 590 on the evidence based reading and writing section OR
  • an ACT composite score of 26 or higher

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