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Traditional Diploma

Courses	Credits	Required
English	4	English I, English II
Math	4	Algebra I
Science	3	Biology
Social Studies	3.5	World History, US History, Mississippi Studies, US Government, & Economics
College & Career Readiness	1
Technology	1
Fine Arts	1
PE	.5
Health	.5
Electives	5.5
Total Credits for Graduation:	24
In addition to the required credits, each students must pass MAAP tests in the following subjects: Biology I, Algebra I, & English II Students will take the State ACT test in the spring of their Junior year.

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Diploma Endorsements

Career & Technical

JROTC

Academic

Distinguished Academic

*Please note that the coming slides mainly show credit requirements. Full details can be found on the MDE website by clicking here.

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Traditional Diploma with Career Tech or JROTC Endorsement

Courses	Credits	Required
English	4	English I, English II
Math	4	Algebra I
Science	3	Biology
Social Studies	3.5	World History, US History, Mississippi Studies, US Government, & Economics
College & Career Readiness	1
Technology	1
Fine Arts	1
PE	.5
Health	.5
Career & Technical (CTE)	4	2 years in the same CCTI program or JROTC I-IV
Electives	3.5
Total Credits for Graduation:	26	Requirements include: 2.5 GPA, Silver Level on WorkKeys
n addition to the required credits, each students must pass MAAP tests in the following subjects: Biology I, Algebra I, & English II Students will take the State ACT test in the spring of their Junior year.

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Traditional Diploma with Academic Endorsement

Courses	Credits	Required
English	4	English I, English II, 2 English courses above English II
Math	4	Algebra I, 2 Math courses above Algebra I
Science	3	Biology, 2 Science courses above Biology
Social Studies	3.5	World History, US History, Mississippi Studies, US Government, & Economics
College & Career Readiness	1
Technology	1
Fine Arts	1
PE	.5
Health	.5
Electives	7.5	Must include 2 advanced electives in the CPC Curriculum.
Total Credits for Graduation:	26	Requirements include: 2.5 GPA, minimum ACT Math & English subscores & “C” in DC or AP(w/ exam) class
n addition to the required credits, each students must pass MAAP tests in the following subjects: Biology I, Algebra I, & English II Students will take the State ACT test in the spring of their Junior year.

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Traditional Diploma with Distinguished Academic Endorsement

Courses	Credits	Required
English	4	English I, English II, 2 English courses above English II
Math	4	Algebra I, 2 Math courses above Algebra I
Science	4	Biology, 2 Science courses above Biology
Social Studies	4	World History, US History, Mississippi Studies, US Government, & Economics
College & Career Readiness	1
Technology	1
Fine Arts	1
PE	.5
Health	.5
Electives	8	Must include 2 advanced electives in the CPC Curriculum.
Total Credits for Graduation:	28	Requirements include: 3.0 GPA, minimum ACT Math & English subscores & “B” in DC or AP(w/ exam) class
n addition to the required credits, each students must pass MAAP tests in the following subjects: Biology I, Algebra I, & English II Students will take the State ACT test in the spring of their Junior year.

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THE COURSE SELECTION TIMELINE

February 10- Course Selection Parent Meeting

Parents & Students will attend the course selection presentation
Parents & Students can view this presentation on the GHS Counseling Website at GHS Counselor Corner. The slideshow can be found on the following tab: Parent/Student Resources>Graduation Requirements & More>GMS 8th Grade Parent Meeting Slideshow

February 13- 8th Grade Preview Day/Tour of GHS

Students will attend a GHS preview that includes a pep rally and tour of the school.

February 24- GHS Counselors visit GMS

Counselors will visit GMS to explain and assist 8th graders in completing the course selection Google Form.

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Elective Course Selections

February 27- Must submit elective course selections by 3:00pm�

Students will use a provided Google Form to submit their elective selections for the 2026-2027 school year. When shared with 8th graders, the Form will be available to them on the GHS counselor webpage at GHS Counselor Corner on the following tab: Parent/Student Resources>Graduation Requirements & More>GMS 8th Grade 26-27 Course Selection Google Form

Students must be logged into their PGSD Gmail account to fill out the form. Selections are due by Friday, February 27th at 3:00pm.

Please note that placement in core classes is based on historical data

(test scores, grades, and teacher recommendations.)

Students will be selecting 5 elective courses (may not be placed in all 5):

1 Fine Art
1 PE
1 Health
2 additional electives

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Course Updates/Program of Studies

Scan to view the PGSD Program of Studies (Orange Handout)

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CCTI Bridge Academies

Students may apply to the CCTI in the Spring of their freshman year for their sophomore year or in the spring of their sophomore year for their junior year.

Our academies are:

STEM Academy
MCT Academy
HHS Academy
CAB Academy

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CCTI

BRIDGE

ACADEMIES

STEM ACADEMY

Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)
PLTW Engineering & Aerospace Engineering
PLTW Computer Science & Cybersecurity

MCT ACADEMY

Architectural Drafting & Design
Construction/Carpentry
Diesel Technician
Fabrication & Manufacturing
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Instrumentation & Controls Technology
Transportation Logistics
Welding

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CCTI

BRIDGE

ACADEMIES

HHS ACADEMY

Health Sciences
Sports Medicine
Education, Theory, & Practice
Law & Public Safety

CAB ACADEMY

Culinary Arts
Business Marketing & Finance

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For information about each CCTI Program CLICK HERE

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Collegiate Academy & Dual Credit

8th graders (upcoming 9th graders) are not eligible for these classes. This information is for future planning purposes as there are academic and possible financial requirements.

Students must meet specific requirements to take enroll in Dual Credit Classes or enroll in the Collegiate Academy Program.

To apply for the Collegiate Academy for junior year, one must be a 10th grade student.

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HELP Grant

Visit https://www.msfinancialaid.org/help/

Requirements

Legal resident of Mississippi one year prior to application.
2.5 GPA
Minimum of a 20 on the ACT
Complete specific high school curriculum. See curriculum by clicking here.
Meet income limitations.
Complete the FAFSA and Mississippi Financial Aid Application
Enroll full-time at an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi.

This information is for future planning purposes as there are academic and possible financial requirements.

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