ECA Graduation Requirements
Welcome to ECA! We are an APS School of Choice, with additional coursework and graduation requirements. Attendance at ECA implies agreement with our course of study; as the premiere Early College High School in New Mexico, we have designed a pathway to prepare every student for college and career. As part of our preparatory program, ECA requires 30 credits for graduation starting with the Class of 2028, and students must complete a minimum of 6 Dual Credit and/or AP courses as part of their education at ECA. Our rigorous requirements ensure that students graduate prepared to excel in their post-secondary studies and career pursuits.
Graduation requirements for ECA:
- Total credits required for graduating class of 2025, 2026 and 2027: 25.0
- Total credits required for graduating class of 2028 and beyond: 30.0
- Total credits possible for graduation from ECA: 40.5+
- ALL ECA students must complete 6 Dual Credit and/or Advanced Placement (AP) Courses as part of their program of study.
- Beginning with Class of 2030, students should have completed their mandatory Health credit in middle school. This credit will appear on the student’s High School Transcript.
ECA Typical Grade Level Course of Study
Note: ECA requires 30 total HS credits for graduation
9th Grade
- English 9: Honors
- Biology
- Algebra I: Regular or Honors
- New Mexico History / Personal Financial Literacy (each 1 semester)
- PE
- Freshman Seminar: CNM FYEX 1110 Dual Credit & Communication Skills (1.5 elective credits)
- Health (completed in middle school for high school credit)
10th Grade
- English 10: Honors or AP Seminar
- Chemistry: Regular or AP
- Geometry: Regular or Honors
- World History: Regular or AP
- Electives (minimum 4.0 credits, at CEC or CNM/IAIA; usually includes world language and additional electives)
11th Grade
- English 11: (choose one) Honors, AP Literature, AP Seminar, AP Research, or Crime & Punishment
- Physics: Regular or AP
- Algebra II: Regular or Honors
- US History: Regular or AP
- Electives (minimum 2.0 credits at CEC or CNM/UNM/IAIA)
12th Grade
- English 12: AP Research or Crime & Punishment or Mythology/Folklore & College Prep Composition
- Pre-Calculus or AP Calculus AB, or Dual Credit Math option
- Economics/Government (each 1 semester): Business Law (CEC) or eCademy AP Microeconomics & AP Government
- Electives (at CEC or CNM/UNM/IAIA)
Please Note:
* This is the typical course of study for students entering ECA in the 9th grade, but is subject to change based on student needs and requirements for graduation. This does not include a minimum of 6 Dual Credit and/or AP courses.
* The majority of CEC classes offer dual credit opportunities; plans for off-campus dual credit classes need to be discussed with the school counselor.
Coursework or Program of Study may include work toward:
- NM State Bilingual Seal
- Industry certification/licensure
- Post-secondary credential/degree
- Work-Based Learning (Internships) leading to apprenticeship/job opportunities
Revised Dec. 17, 2025