HS Courses in GA 2-13-26

Georgia high school students graduating in 2026 must earn a minimum of 23 credits, including 4 English, 4 Math, 4 Science, 3 Social Studies, 1 Health/PE, and 3 CTAE/Modern Language/Fine Arts units. Required core courses focus on Literature, Algebra/Geometry, Biology/Physical Science, and US/World History.  

Required Georgia High School Courses (Class of 2026)

English/Language Arts (4 units): Required 9th Grade Literature & Composition and American Literature.

Mathematics (4 units): Algebra I (or GSE Algebra I), Geometry, Algebra II (or Advanced Algebra), and a fourth approved math unit.

Science (4 units): Biology; Physical Science or Physics; Chemistry, Earth Systems, Environmental Science, or AP/IB course; and a fourth science unit.

Social Studies (3 units): World History, US History, American Government/Civics (0.5), and Economics (0.5).

Health and Physical Education (1 unit): 0.5 unit of Health and 0.5 unit of Personal Fitness.

Electives/Pathway (3+ units): 3 units required from CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education), Fine Arts, and/or Modern Language.

Additional Electives: 4 units (to meet the minimum 23 total). 

Key Considerations

University System of Georgia (USG): For admission to a 4-year college, 2 units of the same foreign language/American Sign Language or 2 units of computer science are required.

Dual Enrollment: Students may use college courses to meet these requirements.

Pathway Requirement: Students must complete 3 units in a CTAE, Fine Arts, or World Language pathway. 

Note: Individual school districts (e.g., Fulton, Cobb, Dekalb) may have slightly different course sequences, so check specific district, such as the Dunwoody High School 2026 presentation, to confirm. 

In Georgia, high school students graduating in 2026 must complete a minimum of 23 credits to earn a diploma. These requirements are set by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), though local districts may add specific electives. 

Core Course Requirements

English/Language Arts (4 Units): Must include 9th Grade Literature and American Literature.

Mathematics (4 Units): Typically includes Algebra I, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra, plus one additional higher-level math course.

Science (4 Units): Must include Biology, one unit of Physical Science or Physics, and one unit of Chemistry, Earth Systems, or Environmental Science. The fourth unit can be any approved science elective.

Social Studies (3 Units): Requires World History (1 unit), U.S. History (1 unit), American Government (0.5 unit), and Economics (0.5 unit).

Health & Physical Education (1 Unit): Usually split into 0.5 units of General Health and 0.5 units of Personal Fitness. 

Additional Requirements

CTAE, World Language, or Fine Arts (3 Units): Students must complete three units from any combination of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE), World Languages, or Fine Arts.

Note: The University System of Georgia requires 2 units of the same World Language for admission to most four-year colleges.

Electives (4 Units): General elective credits from any subject area. 

Graduation Assessments

Students are required to take Georgia Milestones End of Course (EOC) exams in the following subjects, which typically count for 20% of the final course grade: 

American Literature and Composition

Algebra I (or equivalent)

Biology

U.S. History

https://www.google.com/search?q=list+required+high+school+courses+in+georgia+2026+google

Comments

The courses outlined above remain unchanged over the decades. Grade Inflation downplayed Merit. Social Media replaced Learning. Requiring a Foreign Language is questionable.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader