What is a Credit?
A credit is awarded for a full-year subject that meets the minimum required contact hours and learning outcomes. Students must successfully complete the subject to earn the credit.
American High School Diploma Program (AHSP)
Credit System & Subject Structure
The American High School Diploma Program (AHSP) follows a credit-based academic structure. Each subject earns credits based on minimum contact hours and successful completion, ensuring a balanced workload and clear progression from Primary to Higher Secondary level.
Core & Elective Balance
Each grade has 6 core subjects and 1 language/elective credit, along with mandatory non-credit enrichment subjects.
Annual Credit Load
Across all levels, students typically complete 7 mandatory credits per year, supported by non-credit subjects that enhance creativity, health and overall development.
Credit to Contact Hour Conversion
The table below outlines minimum contact hours per subject and the expected annual credit load for each level of the American High School Diploma Program.
| Grade / Level (Program) | Annual contact hours per subject(Core + elective / language) | Min. credits per subject | Min. subjects / credits per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLP (Grades I - V) | 140 hours per subject / year | 1 credit each | 7 credits |
| MLP (Grades VI - VIII) | 140 hours per subject / year | 1 credit each | 7 credits |
| SLP (Grades IX - X) | 160 hours per subject / year | 1 credit each | 7 credits |
| HSLP (Grades XI - XII) | 180 hours per subject / year | 1 credit each | 7 credits |
Level-wise Credit Distribution
The following overview shows working days, subjects and total credits to be completed at each level of schooling.
| Level | Working days / academic year | Core subjects / year(1 credit each) | Elective / language(1 credit) | Annual credit requirement | Total credits in level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLP - Primary (I - V) | 210 | 6 (6 credits) | 1 (1 credit) | 7 | 35 |
| MLP - Middle (VI - VIII) | 210 | 6 (6 credits) | 1 (1 credit) | 7 | 21 |
| SLP - Secondary (IX - X) | 240 | 6 (6 credits) | 1 (1 credit) | 7 | 14 |
| HSLP - Higher Secondary (XI - XII) | 240 | 6 (6 credits) | 1 (1 credit) | 7 | 14 |
Subject Structure by Level
Each level follows a clear combination of core subjects, language / elective options and non-credit enrichment areas. The structure below is based on the official AHSP credit charts.
Primary Level Program (PLP)
Grades I - V
1 Credit Core SubjectsTotal 6 credits
- English
- Environmental Studies (EVS)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
1 Credit Elective / LanguageAny 1 credit
- Hindi
- Regional Language
- Foreign Language
- Computer Science
Non-credit Additional SubjectsMandatory: any 3
- Arts & Drawing
- Craft & Design
These subjects support creative and aesthetic development and are compulsory, though non-credit.
Middle Level Program (MLP)
Grades VI - VIII
1 Credit Core SubjectsTotal 6 credits
- English
- Environmental Studies (EVS)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
1 Credit Elective / LanguageAny 1 credit
- Hindi
- Regional Language
- Foreign Language
- Computer Science
Non-credit Additional SubjectsMandatory: any 3
- Arts & Drawing
- Craft & Design
Secondary Level Program (SLP)
Grades IX - X
1 Credit Core SubjectsTotal 6 credits
- English
- Environmental Studies (EVS)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
1 Credit Elective / LanguageAny 1 credit
- Hindi
- Regional Language
- Foreign Language
- Computer Science
Non-credit Additional SubjectsMandatory: any 3
- Arts & Drawing
- Craft & Design
Higher Secondary Level Program (HSLP - Sciences)
Grades XI - XII
1 Credit Core SubjectsMinimum total 6 credits, maximum 7
- English
- Environmental Studies (EVS)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics
1 Credit Elective / LanguageMaximum any 1 credit
- Hindi
- Regional Language
- Foreign Language
- Computer Science
Non-credit Additional SubjectsMandatory: any 3
- Arts & Drawing
- Craft & Design
The higher secondary structure supports rigorous STEM preparation while preserving flexibility through language / elective options.
Important Academic Note
Final graduation requirements for the American High School Diploma include successful completion of the prescribed credits with the minimum qualifying grades as per NWAC / Cognia guidelines. Schools and students should always refer to the latest official circulars for any updates in subject offerings or credit requirements.