Graduation

Find out about graduation commencement schedules, graduation requirements, exit exam requirements and alternatives, and credit requirements.

Class of 2027

2027 Commencement Ceremony

Thousands of students will walk across the stage in May of 2027 to pick up their high school diplomas on their way to the next stretch of life's journey. Our hope is that we prepared them well. Our wish is that they enjoyed the ride. Our prayer is that they are successful and happy, that they are lifelong learners, and that they look back with fond memories of their days in Albuquerque Public Schools. Go on and make us all proud, Class of 2027!

2027 High School Graduation Schedule

The comprehensive high school graduations will be held during the week of May 17 through May 21, 2027.

Graduations at Tingley Coliseum

Monday, May 17:
- Albuquerque High - 9:30 a.m.
- Sandia - 2 p.m.
- West Mesa - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 18:
- Volcano Vista - 9:30 a.m.
- Del Norte - 2 p.m.
- Highland - 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19:
- Manzano - 9:30 a.m.
- Valley - 2 p.m.
- Eldorado - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 20:
- Cibola - 9:30 a.m.
- Rio Grande - 2 p.m.
- eCADEMY - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 21:
- Atrisco Heritage - 9:30 a.m.
- La Cueva - 3 p.m.

Graduations at Berna Facio

Friday, April 30:
- College & Career High School - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 20:
- Freedom High School - 9 a.m.
- School on Wheels - 12:30 p.m.
- New Futures - 3:30 p.m.
Friday, May 21:
- Transition Services - 9 a.m.
- Early College Academy - 12:30 p.m.
- nex+Gen Academy - 3:30 p.m.

Earning a Diploma

To earn a New Mexico high school diploma, students are expected to complete 25 credits and demonstrate competency in the five areas of reading, math, writing, science, and social studies. All seniors should meet with their school counselor to make sure they are on track to graduate.

Credit Requirements

Required courses and credits are based on the year a student entered high school as a 9th grader for the first time. 9th grade starting year determines the student’s Graduation Standard Year (GSY).

Students Entering High School as Freshmen from 2009-2024

Students entering high school as freshmen from 2009-2024 must have 25 units to include:

English: 4 Units
Math: 4 Units. One unit must be Algebra II or higher.
Science: 3 Units
Social Studies: 3-1/2 Units. Selected from:
- United States History and Geography: 1 Unit
- World History and Geography: 1 Unit
- Government: 1/2 Unit
- Economics: 1/2 Unit
- New Mexico History: 1/2 Unit
Health: 1/2 Unit
Physical Education: 1 Unit
Career or Workplace Readiness or Language other than English: 1 Unit. Selected from:
- Language other than English
- Business Management and Finance
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Automotive Technologies
- Culinary Arts
- Manufacturing and Construction Trades
- Technology / Media Technologies
- Computer Science
- The Arts:
  - Music
  - Visual Arts
  - Drama
  - Yearbook or Newspaper
Electives: 8 Units

At least 1 of the required units listed above must be an Honors or Advanced Placement course, a Dual Enrollment, or an online (distance learning) course.

Students Entering High School as Freshmen Beginning in 2025

Students entering high school as freshmen in 2025 must have 25 units to include:

English: 4 units
Math: 4 units (Algebra I, Geometry, Math 3, Math 4)
Science: 3 units (3 credits, 2 lab courses)
Social Studies: 4 units (US History - w/NM History, World History, Gov./Economics, Social Studies 4
Electives (8 units) Must include 2 - One unit credits of a Pathway Concentration of the student’s choice of:
- Language other than English, including American sign language (Most colleges and
- Universities require 2-3 credits/years of the same modern, classical, or native language.)
- Fine Arts
- Military career preparation
- Career Technical Education program
- Community or service learning, a capstone course or work-based learning
Local Requirements: 1/2 unit
- Personal Finance Literacy is the local discretionary unit for APS
Physical Education: 1 unit
- Choice of Foundations of Physical Education or equivalent first-level course
Health: 1/2 unit

Health will be taken in 8th grade for high school credit (starting with cohort 2030)

Next Step Plan: On July 1, 2003, HB305 was signed into law, requiring high school students to create Next Step Plans, which set personal high school goals beginning in grade 8. The Next Step Plan shall be aligned to the graduate profile. The Final Next Step Plan is a mandatory prerequisite for graduation.

APS Profile of a Graduate

For a look at the defining qualities of our graduates, view the APS Profile of a Graduate.

Transcripts

District Imaging and Archive Center (DIAC) provides High School transcripts for alumni students who have attended APS. Find out how to request a high school transcript or education verification.

Graduation Video Archives

To request a graduation video from the Class of 2013 to the Class of 2018, visit our archived graduation playlist. Please email communityrelations@aps.edu if you run into any issues accessing our archive.