I. Credits and Graduation Requirements

A. Newburyport High School credits for graduation are earned by students upon successful completion of a course of study. Students earn 2.5 credits per semester upon successful completion of a course that meets one block every other day through a semester.

B. In order to qualify for graduation, students must have earned a minimum of 110 credits in grades 9-12 and must successfully complete the subjects included in the Core Curriculum, as described below.

C. Each year, every student is required to carry a minimum of 5 core subjects, at least one elective each semester and one semester of physical education, with the exception of Seniors who participate in a Varsity Sport. We recommend that each student select a balanced and challenging program to fulfill his/her educational needs and career objectives. (Students planning to continue their education at a college or university should read the section Higher Education Information)

D. This past November Ballot 2024 Question # 2 “Eliminating the MCAS graduation requirement” was passed by Massachusetts voters and subsequently was ratified on December 5, 2024. As a result, although passing the state mandated MCAS exams testing is no longer a graduation requirement in Massachusetts, students are still required to take the MCAS exams. These exams will allow students to potentially be eligible for the 1 and/or the Stanley Koplik Certificate of Mastery. These two scholarships would allow for students at a reduced rate at any of the Massachusetts state colleges, universities of the UMASS System.

II. Classification of Grade Level

Each year semester, students earn credits in courses they have passed. The number of credits earned across the school year determines a student’s grade level. The table below provides greater information.

Grade Level Credits	Credits
Grade 9	0.0 - 27.25
Grade 10	27.50 – 54.50 & Passed a Full Year of English
Grade 11	55.00 – 79.50 & Passed Two Full Years of English
Grade 12	80+ & Passed Three Full Years of English
Graduate	See Part I Above

III. Core Curriculum

Newburyport High School credits for graduation are obtained by having attended NHS for at least one semester. All courses at Newburyport High School are semester courses that normally yield a total of 2.5 graduation credits. Credit values for individual courses are contained in the description presented in the current Program of Studies and are granted to students upon successful completion of a given course of study. Students enrolled in the Environmental Innovation Pathway, must complete four years of math to graduate with the Environmental Pathway Certification. To graduate from NHS, students must accumulate 110 credits, pass all of the required courses of study, pass the state-mandated MCAS tests, and have attended NHS for at least one semester.

The subject areas and credit quantities required of all students are as follows:

English	4 years	20 credits
History	4 years	20 credits
Mathematics	3 years	15 credits
Science	3 years	15 credits
World Language	2 years	10 credits
Physical Education	4 semesters	10 credits
Visual and Performing Arts	2 semesters	5 credits
Other Electives	6 semesters	15 credits
		95 credits