How Many Credits Do You Get Each Year in High School?

Students typically earn between six and nine credits each year in high school, depending upon the type of schedule their school runs, if they pass all of their classes. Credits, also called Carnegie Units in most states, are awarded based on some combination of seat time and mastery of skills.

Traditional schedules with six or seven periods each day award one credit per period per year. Schools with 4 by 4 block schedules provide the opportunity to earn eight credits per year, with four being earned each semester. Trimester plans award two to three credits per trimester for a total of up to nine credits.