Diploma Requirements

The basic diploma requirement is the satisfactory completion of a fouryear secondary school program, of which at least three trimesters must be at Andover. The student must be in good standing (not on probation or under suspension) at the time of graduation. A student who has been dismissed is ineligible for a diploma unless readmitted.

• for entering Juniors 54
• for entering Lowers 51
• for entering Uppers 48
• for entering Seniors 48

A student’s required program includes nine trimester credits in English, nine in world languages, eight in mathematics, seven in history and social science, and six (two fullyear courses) in laboratory science. Details about the manner in which these requirements are to be fulfilled can be found in the opening descriptions of the departments concerned.

In order to be eligible for a diploma, all students must satisfy the swimming requirement of the Department of Physical Education.
Certain diploma requirements vary with the class level at which the student enters Phillips Academy. Entering Juniors and Lowers must pass Physical Education 100 and a onetrimester course offered by the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, usually in the Lower year. Some modifications of the language requirement are made for entering Uppers and Seniors. Entering Seniors with no previous world language experience must pass a year in a world language.

Because of recent changes in the diploma requirements for art, music, and theatre and dance, students who matriculated in the fall of 2008 (or later) have a different set of requirements from those who matriculated prior to 2008. Students matriculating in the fall of 2008 or later are subject to the following diploma requirements in the visual and performing arts:

• Entering Juniors must earn no fewer than four credits in art, music, and theatre and dance, combined, with at least one credit each in art and music. Students should have completed one credit in art and one credit in music by the end of the Lower year.
• Entering Lowers must earn no fewer than three credits in art, music, and theatre and dance, with at least one credit each in art and music.
• Entering Uppers need pass only one trimester of either art or music at the Academy.

Students who matriculated prior to 2008 are subject to the following diploma requirements in the visual and performing arts:

• Entering Juniors must earn two credits in art and two in music, and take one term of theatre and dance. Students may fulfill the theatre and dance requirement either by taking the halfcourse Theatre–Dance 200 (Perception and Performance) before spring term of the Senior year, or by completing any of the department’s full¬course offerings, with the exception of Theatre–Dance 380 and Theatre–Dance 381.
• Entering Lowers must earn a total of three credits in art and music, with at least one in each area.
• Entering Uppers need pass only one trimester of either art or music at the Academy.

A Senior must earn a minimum of 12 graded trimester credits during the Senior year. Seniors must have passing trimester grades for all courses taken during their spring trimester. Independent Projects are counted as graded courses.

The Academy’s diploma requirements provide a solid foundation for further study in a broad range of areas, while allowing students some latitude to pursue their own particular interests. However, students should be aware that most colleges require or expect course work beyond our diploma requirements. For example, most colleges expect students to take four full years of English, and at least three years of language, science, and history or social studies. Some majors, such as engineering, might expect four years of science, and math through calculus. We advise students to consider thoughtfully the “Program Recommendations” sheet from the College Counseling Office. In addition, students who are considering college athletics should be aware of the NCAA eligibility rules (www.ncaa.org).