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Graduation Requirements

Preparing Online School Students for Graduation

Connections Academy provides in-depth support to ensure that online school students understand their graduation requirements and are well prepared for life beyond high school.

To make sure that our graduating class of seniors is well prepared for the transition out of virtual high school, Connections Academy provides:

  • Access to a full-time certified school counselor
  • Assistance creating a four-year academic plan
  • College and career planning, including:
    • Support in finding appropriate college or career opportunities
    • LiveLesson® online workshops about the college application process, including information on local colleges/universities
    • Financial aid and scholarship LiveLesson online workshops
    • Free access to college admissions test preparation online courses and information about test dates, locations, etc.
    • Official transcripts
  • Additional extracurricular activities 

High School Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully earn a minimum of 20 credits to graduate. A minimum of 5 credits must be earned at Great River Connections Academy (GRCA), and at least 1.5 credits must be earned in the semester immediately prior to graduation. In addition, students must be enrolled in GRCA full-time and not in any other program in the semester prior to graduation. Lastly, students must earn a minimum of 18 points on required End of Course Exams. Please see the Ohio Department of Education link below for full list of Ohio Graduation options.

The course credits required to graduate include:

  • Language arts: 4 credits
  • Math: 4 credits (including Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2)
  • Science: 3 credits (including Life Science, Physical Science, and an Advanced Science)
  • Social studies: 3 credits (including U.S. History and Government)
  • Physical education: 0.5 credits
  • Health: 0.5 credits
  • Personal Finance: 0.5 credits
  • Fine Arts: 1 credit
  • Additional credits of electives are required

Students in grades 7–12 have the option to earn dual credits through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program.

View our College Credits Plus Pathways


Visit the Ohio Department of Education website to learn more about qualifying for a high school diploma in Ohio.