Academic Credits
In each semester of 8th grade, students earn Academic Credits, for classes that they complete with a grade of D or better.
Exception: If an 8th grade student earns a Fail in a class in the Fall Semester and a C or better in the same class in the Spring Semester, they earn the listed credits for both semesters.
Upon completion of their 8th grade year, students will receive a Certificate of Completion and can participate in Culmination if:
- they earn at least 50 credits (out of 60 credits possible) during their 8th grade year
- they meet the Eighth Grade Eligibility requirements for Cooperation, Work Habits, attendance, and conduct.
The Academic Credit requirement supports student achievement and helps guide students in preparing for high school.
How 8th Grade Students Earn Academic Credits
Students Taking Math 8A and Math 8B
| Fall Course | Credits | Spring Course | Credits |
| English 8A | 5 | English 8B | 5 |
| Math 8A | 5 | Math 8B | 5 |
| US History 8A | 5 | US History 8B | 5 |
| Science 8A | 5 | Science 8B | 5 |
| Physical Education A | 5 | Physical Education B | 5 |
| Elective or ELD* | 5 | Elective or ELD* | 5 |
| Total Credits Possible | 30 | Total Credits Possible | 30 |
Students Taking Algebra 1 (a year-long course)
| Fall Course | Credits | Spring Course | Credits |
| English 8A | 5 | English 8B | 5 |
| Algebra 1 | 0 | Algebra 1 | 10 |
| US History 8A | 5 | US History 8B | 5 |
| Science 8A | 5 | Science 8B | 5 |
| Physical Education A | 5 | Physical Education B | 5 |
| Elective or ELD* | 5 | Elective or ELD* | 5 |
| Total Credits Possible | 25 | Total Credits Possible | 35 |
Total credits possible for the 8th grade year: 60
* ELD is English Language Development.
Does the Academic Credit Requirement Apply to Me?
| 6th grade year | You will not earn Academic Credits this year. |
| 7th grade year | You will not earn Academic Credits this year. |
| 8th grade year |
You will earn Academic Credits this year. You will need at least 50 Academic Credits this year to receive a Certificate of Completion and participate in Culmination. |
What If I Don't Reach the Minimum?
Without the minimum of 50 Academic Credits by the end of the Spring semester, an 8th grade student will not receive a Certificate of Completion and will not be able to participate in the Culmination ceremony.
However, Palms wants every student to succeed in meeting the requirements. Teachers, counselors, and administrators will monitor student progress, identify at-risk students as soon as possible, intervene when necessary, and maintain regular communication with parents about academic progress.
For more information about the Academic Credits requirement, contact the Palms administrators or the LAUSD Division of Instruction.
History of Academic Points (click or tap to reveal/hide)
In the 2015-2016 school year, 7th and 8th grade students received Academic Points for classes completed. The results were totaled over 2 years.
Adjustments in the requirements were made for students transferring into an LAUSD school after the start of 7th grade.
Starting in 2016-2017, LAUSD decided that earning a Certificate of Completion depended only on 8th grade credits. That is the system now in use.
Remember that getting good grades in 6th and 7th grade is still important!