TEXAS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Foundation vs. Distinguished Level: Your Complete Guide
Understand your graduation options, strategic course planning, and how your choices impact college admission and scholarships.
Start Here: Choose Your Pathway
Click the path that matches your goals. Everything below will be tailored to your situation.
College-Bound
Attending 4-year university
- ✓ Automatic admission to Texas universities
- ✓ Merit scholarships
- ✓ Competitive programs
Still Deciding
Keeping options open
- ✓ Flexible course options
- ✓ Time to explore
- ✓ Multiple post-grad paths
Career/Other
Workforce, military, or trade school
- ✓ Foundation graduation
- ✓ Workforce-ready skills
- ✓ JROTC/trade programs
Quick Comparison
Foundation vs. Distinguished at a Glance
Foundation High School Program
Distinguished Level of Achievement
⚠️ Critical Fact for College-Bound Students
Even with Foundation graduation, most 4-year colleges require Algebra II for admission. If you plan ANY possibility of college, pursue Distinguished Level.
College-Bound Pathway
Your strategic roadmap to automatic admission & scholarships
Choose Distinguished Level
26 credits + endorsement + Algebra II completion
This is the non-negotiable foundation. It qualifies you for automatic admission to Texas public universities (if you're in top 6-10% of class) and most merit scholarships.
Select Your Endorsement (Choose One)
Signals your interests to colleges
Tip: Choose the endorsement that aligns with your intended major. Misalignment signals weak commitment to colleges.
Pursue Academic Rigor
AP, dual credit, honors courses = demonstrated commitment
- • 9th grade: Build your foundation
- • 10th grade: Add first AP or honors courses
- • 11th grade: Peak rigor year (3-4 advanced courses)
- • 12th grade: Maintain momentum—don't drop to easier classes
- • Goal: 5-8 AP/dual credit courses total by graduation
Maintain Strong GPA
B in AP > A in regular course (weighted grades matter)
Colleges weight AP/honors grades higher. Consistency matters more than perfection. Keep showing up with rigor every semester.
Undecided Pathway
Keep all doors open with a flexible strategy
Not sure if you're college-bound? Plan like you are. It's much harder to add rigor later than to start with it. You can always dial it back, but you can't easily catch up.
- ✓ Pursue Distinguished Level (just in case)
- ✓ Choose Multidisciplinary endorsement for flexibility
- ✓ Take varied electives to explore interests
- ✓ Maintain solid grades while testing different subjects
By sophomore year, patterns will emerge. Your course choices will naturally guide you toward your actual interests—and by then, you'll have the foundation to pursue them seriously.
Career/Military/Trade Pathway
Foundation with workforce-ready skills
- ✓ Foundation High School Program (22 credits minimum)
- ✓ Focus on career/trade-aligned electives
- ✓ Consider JROTC for military path
- ✓ Internships & work experience valued more than AP courses
Military Note: JROTC courses can count toward your requirements AND prepare you for service. The ASVAB test is important regardless of your graduation path.
The Five Endorsements Explained
Choose the one that matches your interests. You're not locked in forever—talk to your counselor about changes.
STEM
For: Engineering, pre-med, computer science, research
Courses: 4th year math (Calculus), Advanced science, AP Physics/Chemistry
Business & Industry
For: Business, finance, marketing, trades, agriculture
Courses: Accounting, marketing, IT, business law, agriculture
Public Services
For: Education, law enforcement, healthcare, government
Courses: Health science, criminal justice, education & training, JROTC
Arts & Humanities
For: Arts, music, languages, social sciences, writing
Courses: Foreign languages (4 years), fine arts, AP history, literature
Multidisciplinary (The Flexible Option)
For: Undecided students or those with diverse interests
How it works: Combine advanced courses across multiple subjects OR complete 4 credits in each core subject (math, science, English, social studies) plus Algebra II
Pro tip: If you're unsure, this is your best bet. Keeps all doors open.
Your Top Questions Answered
Do I HAVE to take Algebra II?
Required for Distinguished Level: Yes. For Foundation: No. For college admission: Most 4-year colleges require it regardless. Bottom line: If college is ANY possibility, take it.
What if I change my endorsement?
Talk to your counselor ASAP—district policies vary. The earlier you change, the better. Update your 4-Year Plan to track the new path.
What's the difference between top 6% and top 10%?
UT Austin requires top 6%; most other Texas public universities require top 10%. Critical: You need BOTH class rank AND Distinguished Level. One without the other = no automatic admission.
How many AP courses should I take?
Quality over quantity. 5-8 AP courses total is solid. Better to earn Bs in rigorous courses than As in easy ones. Focus on courses that match your intended major.
Will remedial math in college really cost me?
Yes. Remedial math costs $1,500-$2,500 per course AND doesn't count toward your degree. It extends graduation by a semester, costing thousands more. Taking Algebra II now saves that money and stress.
Tools & Resources
Build Your Candidacy
Ready to create your strategic plan? Let's connect your course choices with your goals and build a candidacy that colleges want to admit.
Schedule a Planning Session