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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 (Algebra I Honors, Geometry & Geometry Honors w/placement exam)
  • New Mexico History / Personal Financial Literacy (each 1 semester)
  • PE or PE Equivalent
  • Freshman Seminar: CNM FYEX 1110 Dual Credit & Communication Skills (1.5 elective credits)
  • Note: Students should have completed Health in 8th grade, for high school credit)

10th Grade

  • English 10: Honors or AP Seminar
  • Chemistry: Regular or AP
  • Geometry: Regular or Honors, or above (may require placement exam)
  • World History: Regular or AP
  • Electives (minimum 4.0 credits, usually includes world language)*

11th Grade

  • English 11: Honors, Crime & Punishment, AP Literature, AP Seminar, or AP Research (requires successful completion of AP Seminar)
  • Physics: Regular or AP
  • Algebra II: Regular or Honors w/Trigonometry or above (may require placement exam)
  • US History: Regular or AP
  • Electives (minimum 2.0 credits)*

12th Grade

  • English 12: Crime & Punishment or Mythology/Folklore & College Prep Composition or AP Research (requires successful completion of AP Seminar) 
  • Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, or Counselor-approved Dual Credit math coursework through CNM or UNM in Fall Semester of 12th grade year
  • Economics/Government (each 1 semester): Business Law (CEC) or eCademy AP Microeconomics & AP Government
  • Electives*

Please Note:
*Electives can be taken through CEC, CNM, UNM and IAIA.
* 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 Jan. 22, 2026