All students at Gateway take a course load that exceeds the entrance requirements for the University of California and California State University systems. As a result, Gateway students are eligible to apply to any public university in the state of California. Our goal is to ensure our students are prepared for the college environment, as well as to strengthen their applications to competitive universities.
Everything to Know About the Path to a Gateway Diploma
Graduation Requirements Overview
Our academic requirements are designed to prepare students for success in college and to inspire them to continue their commitment as lifelong learners.
HUMANITIES
Gateway students take 4 years of English Language Arts and social science. In 9th and 10th grade, this requirement is fulfilled through an interdisciplinary humanities format.
MATHEMATICS
Gateway students take 3 years of mathematics, at least through successful completion of Algebra II.
SCIENCES
Gateway students take 3 years of science, including chemistry and biology.
LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH
Gateway students take 3 years of a language other than English. Students can take advantage of Gateway’s robust Spanish World Language and Spanish Heritage programs on campus, or pursue a different language outside of Gateway.
ART
Gateway students take 2 years of visual and performing arts; 1 year must be in a UC/CSU-approved course.
ELECTIVES
Gateway students take 2 years of electives; 1 year must be in a UC/CSU approved course.
9TH GRADE SEMINAR
Gateway students take 1 year of 9th grade seminar.
COLLEGE COUNSELING
Gateway students take 2 semesters of college counseling.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Gateway students complete 240 hours (or 20 credits) of supervised physical activity.
PROJECT WEEK
Gateway students complete one Project Week for each year of attendance at Gateway.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Gateway students complete 25 hours of community service for each year of attendance at Gateway.
Academic Subject Areas
9th Grade Seminar
All 9th grade students take 9th Grade Seminar. This research-based course is intended to ensure successful transition from middle school to a rigorous, college-prep high school, and to develop the social-emotional learning skills and awareness for adult life. This course also addresses healthy decision-making, and fulfills the state health requirement.
Arts
Gateway believes that education must be broader than reading, writing, and arithmetic. Students are required to take at least two full years in the arts, one of which needs to be a UC/CSU-approved course, and can choose from a range of courses including Visual Art, Drama, Dance, Film Appreciation, and Creative Writing.
Humanities
Gateway students take four years of English Language Arts and social science; in 9th and 10th grade, these subjects are combined into humanities.
Math
Our math program reflects the Common Core's focus on deep understanding of key concepts through exploration and problem-solving. All students will pass at least three years of math through Algebra 2.
Science
Our science program places an emphasis on inquiry-based learning techniques. Gateway students take three years of hands-on, collaborative science.
Spanish
Students take three years of a language other than English. We encourage students to take advantage of our Spanish program , which offers a world language approach for students who are new to Spanish, as well as classes designed to meet the needs of native and heritage speakers of Spanish or those who have participated in a Spanish-immersion educational setting prior to Gateway.
Physical Education
Students complete 240 hours (or 20 credits) of supervised physical activity (PE) in order to graduate. More information about how students can earn PE credit can be found here.