WINONA, Minn. – The Winona School Board voted 7-0 to reduce high school graduation requirements from 27 credits to 21.5. The change aligns with state requirements. By specifying only 21.5 credits, students have more room in their schedules for curricular options, said spokesperson John Casper.  The student board member Ella Skranka offered a personal example. Under the existing requirements, Skranda said she needed to take a class after normal school hours to fit both an advanced Spanish class and orchestra into her program. “Having that extra room would be nice,” Skranka said.

former core

> 4.5 credits of language arts.

> 3 credits of math.

> 3 credits of science.

> 4 credits of social studies.

> 1 credit of art.

> 1.5 credits of health, phy-ed.

> 0.5 credit on careers, techology.

> 10.5  credits of electives

New core

> 4 credits of language arts.

> 3 credits of math.

> 3 credits of science.

> 3.5 credits of social studies.

> 1 credit of art.

> 0.5 credit of health.

> 0.5 credit of physical education.