Subject Selection Guide

Central High School has utilized the Core Curriculum Framework, which has been developed by the School District of Philadelphia as the basis for all courses. It is fully anticipated and expected that every subject and each section of that subject will include instruction that goes beyond the requirements of that curriculum.

Courses listed in this guide are offered based upon available resources and qualified and appropriate enrollment. There is no guarantee that each listed course will be offered. Final decisions will not be made until August.

Credits required for grade promotion:

10th grade—5 credits

11th grade—11 credits

12th grade—17.5 credits

Graduation—23.5 credits**

**Credits must be accumulated in the categories below:

  • 2 credits of the same language (must be taken at CHS)
  • 2 credits of Art and/or Humanities
  • 4 credits of English (Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4)
  • 4 credits of History (World, African American, American, and Social Science)
  • 3 credits of Math (Math courses must be taken in high school. 8th grade Algebra 1 doesn’t count towards the graduation requirement.)
  • 3 credits of Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
  • 4th advanced credit (Math, Science, or an AP/IB course that doesn’t count in another category)
  • 1.5 credits of Physical Education (1 year of gym and .5 of a year in health)
  • 1 Multi-Disciplinary Project (offered in conjunction with Social Science courses)

Central runs a daily schedule of seven periods. Below is the traditional course load for each grade:

Grade 9    

  • English 1
  • Algebra 1
  • Biology
  • World History
  • Language 1
  • Art/Music/Theater/PE
 Grade 10

  • English 2
  • Geometry
  • Physics
  • African American History
  • Language 2
  • Elective
Grade 11

  • English 3
  • Algebra 2
  • Chemistry
  • American History
  • PE and Health
  • Elective
 Grade 12

  • English
  • 4th year of Math or science, or an AP/IB elective
  • Social Science
  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective

Requirements for admission to upper-level courses: 

Cumulative, annual grade of “B or better” in this subject group and prerequisite courses fulfilled (ex. precalculus completed to take calculus).  Grades will be revisited at the end of the school year as we are only looking at final grades not individual quarter grades (a “C” during a quarter will not prevent you from taking an upper-level course).

Elective capacities will be determined based on student interest, teacher availability and the ability to fill required courses for graduation.  Priority will be given based on year-level when filling electives. Computer generated lists will be used when qualified students outweigh elective space.

*No limit on # of sections of upper-level core graduation courses.

*# of upper level elective sections will be determined by the amount of teachers required to fulfill core classes.