Alberta updates high school graduation requirements starting in 2028

Changes to graduation requirements

Alberta’s government is updating high school graduation requirements to give students more choice and better prepare them for life after high school, the province announced on Friday.

Students will still need 100 credits to earn a high school diploma. They will be able to obtain up to 53 of those credits from option courses, compared to 44 credits currently.

The requirements will be gradually introduced, starting with Grade 10 students in the fall of 2028, Grade 11 students in the fall of 2029, and all high school grades as of fall 2030.

What students will need to take

Grade 10 students will continue to complete required learning in English, social studies, math and science, along with renewed mandatory career and life management and physical education and wellness courses.

In grades 11 and 12, students will need to complete 10 credits in humanities through English language arts, social studies or a combination of both, five credits in math or science, and required credits in physical education, wellness and financial literacy. Students will be required to write at least one diploma exam in either English language arts, social studies, mathematics or science to graduate.

A financial literacy assessment is being considered as a future graduation requirement.

Government statement

“The world students are graduating into has changed significantly over the past 30 years, and our graduation requirements need to keep pace. These changes will give students more choice to explore their interests, develop real-world skills and choose a path that prepares them for a career, post-secondary education and success in life,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare.

Beginning in fall 2026, Education and Childcare will engage education partners on new one-credit physical education 20 and 30, wellness 20 and 30, and financial literacy 20 and 30 courses. Engagement on new mathematics 10 and social studies 10, 20 and 30 curriculums will also begin in fall 2026.

Why it matters

The changes reduce required core credits while increasing optional course space, allowing students to explore areas such as skilled trades, finance, agriculture, engineering and legal studies. The province says the goal is to give students more flexibility to develop interests and hands-on skills for jobs after graduation.

Sources

• theglobeandmail.com: Alberta changes graduation requirements for high school students - The Globe and Mail
• edmonton.citynews.ca: Preparing for life after high school: Alberta updating graduation requirements
• cjwe.ca: New high school graduation requirements in Alberta | CJWE Southern Alberta

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.