GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The first step in planning a program of study is to ensure that progress is being made to satisfy local and state requirements for graduation. A variety of options are available, allowing all students the opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for success in college and career. A rich, diversified, and flexible menu of electives is available to encourage each student to grow toward his or her potential by developing unique interests, talents, and abilities. High Point presently operates in a nine period per day structure. Carrying a normal schedule of eight courses and lunch, a student will complete 32 courses while in high school. Of these, 24.5 are required for graduation. That leaves 7.5 openings available for electives and additional academic preparation. In total, students must earn 135 credits to be eligible for graduation. The following must be successfully completed in order to graduate:

Credits 20 credits English/Language Arts 17.5 credits Social Studies starting with the class of 2016 15 credits Mathematics 15 credits 5 credits World Language 5 credits 21st Century Skills 5 credits Technology 5 credits Visual and/or Performing Arts 5 credits Health/Physical Education for each year of enrollment, with the following exception: students taking a lab science in conjunction with a Health and Physical Education class will receive four credits 5 5 additional credits STEM (Science, Technology, , Math) 2.5 Financial, Economic, Business, and minimum Entrepreneurial Literacy 2.5 credits Introduction to Computer Applications to be completed during grade 9 starting with the class of 2018.

The requirements described above and below are set by the New Jersey Department of Education and the High Point Board of Education. These may change according to new state or local mandates and/or revisions. All students entering grade nine shall complete by the end of their high school education, at a minimum, coursework in language arts literacy, mathematics, and science. These shall include college level preparatory English 9, 10, 11, 12; Algebra 1; Geometry; Lab Biology; complete a laboratory/inquiry based science course which shall include chemistry, environmental science or physics, or the content equivalent. Beginning in 2012-2013 students entering grade 9 will need an additional math course that builds on the concepts and skills of geometry and algebra; and a third laboratory/inquiry based science course.

Courses that fulfill the High Point requirement: • Social Studies requirement includes 1 year of World Studies (or AP World History), 2 years of American Studies (or Honors/AP U.S. History), and starting with the class of 2016 2.5 credits of Civics (or AP U.S. Government & Politics) • STEM requirement includes all lab , all courses under Technological Studies, all courses under Industrial Studies, and all courses under Mathematics. • Visual and/or Performing Arts include all courses under Fine Arts, Music, and Theater Arts. • 21st Century Skills includes all courses under Business, Computer, Finance, Marketing Studies, Technological Studies, and Industrial Studies. • Financial, Economic, Business, and Entrepreneurial Literacy includes Personal Finance A/B and Personal Finance Virtual, Managing Your A/B, Managing Your Money Honors, Cooperative Work Study, and AP Microeconomics and AP . • Technology includes Media Technology 1,2,3,4; Engineering Design Technology 1,2,3,4; Power Energy, and Transportation 1,2,3,4; Women in Engineering, Web Page Design, Computer Aided Drafting 1,2,3,4; Architecture 1,2,3,4; Communication Technology, Media Technology, Biotechnology; Mechanical Movement, Computer Animation, Computer Applications 1 & 2, Introduction to Computer Programming, Advanced Programming, AP Computer Science, as well as, Information Technology, and App Development (which are 2.5 credit course and would only count for half of the 5 credit requirement).

Courses satisfying the Technology requirement also fall under the 21st Century Skills heading and could satisfy either requirement. Please note that any one course can satisfy only one requirement. For example, Communication Technology can satisfy the Technology requirement or the 21st Century Skills requirement, but not both.