- New Brunswick Public Schools
- Graduation Information
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To be eligible for graduation, every New Brunswick High School student must successfully complete the following course credit requirements:
COURSES YEARS CREDITS ENGLISH/ESL 4 20 MATH 3 15 PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH 4 (1/YR ENROLLED) 20 SCIENCE 3 15 SOCIAL STUDIES 3 15 VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS 5 21ST CENTURY LIFE & CAREERS 5 WORLD LANGUAGE 2 10 FINANCIAL LITERACY 1/2 2.5 ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES 27.5 TOTAL CREDITS NEEDED 120 (MIN) GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A graduating student must have earned a minimum of 120 credits in courses designed to meet all of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards including, but not limited to, the following credits:
1. 20 credits in language arts literacy aligned to grade nine through twelve standards;
2. 15 credits in mathematics, including Algebra I or the content equivalent ("content equivalent" is defined at N.J.A.C. 6A:8-1.3) including geometry or the content equivalent; and a third year of mathematics that builds on the concepts and skills of algebra and geometry and that prepares students for college and 21st century careers;
3. 15 credits in social studies, including satisfaction of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 18A:35-2; five credits in world history; and the integration of civics, economics, geography, and global content in all course offerings;
4. 15 credits in science, including at least five credits in laboratory biology/life science or the content equivalent; one additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course, which shall include chemistry, environmental science, or physics; and one additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course;
5. 5 credits in health, safety, and physical education during each year of enrollment, distributed as one hundred fifty minutes per week, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 7, and 8;
6. 5 credits in visual and performing arts;
7. 5 credits in world languages or student demonstration of proficiency as set forth in N.J.A.C.6A:8-5.1(a)2ii(2);
8. 2.5 credits in financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy;
9. Technological literacy, consistent with the Core Curriculum Content Standards, integrated throughout the curriculum;
10. 5 credits in 21st century life and careers, or career-technical education; and
11. Electives as determined by the high school program sufficient to total a minimum of 120 credits.
As defined in N.J.A.C. 6A:8-1.3, "credit" means the award for the equivalent of a class period of instruction which meets for a minimum of forty minutes, one time per week during the school year or as approved through N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)2.
Students must demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics by meeting the assessment cutoffs as defined by the New Jersey Department of Education.
The high school graduation credit requirement may be met in whole or in part through program completion of a range of experiences that enable students to pursue a variety of personalized learning opportunities, as follows:
1. The district shall establish a process to approve individualized student learning opportunities that meet or exceed the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
a. Individualized student learning opportunities in all Core Curriculum Content Standards areas include, but are not limited, to the following:
(1) Independent study;
(2) Online learning;
(3) Work-based programs, internships, apprenticeships;
(4) Study abroad programs;
(5) Student exchange programs; and
(6) Structured learning experiences, including, but not limited to, work-based programs, internships, apprenticeships, and service learning experiences.
b. Individualized student learning opportunities based upon specific instructional objectives aimed at meeting or exceeding the Core Curriculum Content Standards shall:
(1) Be based on student interest and career goals as reflected in the Personalized Student Learning Plans;
(2) Include demonstration of student competency;
(3) Be certified for completion based on the district process adopted according to 2. below; and
(4) Be on file in the school district and subject to review by the Commissioner or designee.
c. Group programs based upon specific instructional objectives aimed at meeting or exceeding the Core Curriculum Content Standards shall be permitted and shall be approved in the same manner as other approved courses.
For additional information, please see the complete New Brunswick Board of Education Policy 5460 on the district website.