Newburyport High School uses the admissions standards set by the Massachusetts state colleges and universities as a guide to the course selection process.

The minimum admissions standards for students to apply to the Massachusetts state schools are:
•  Successful completion of all MCAS tests
•  Seventeen college preparatory courses as listed below:

English	4 Years
Mathematics	4 Years (Algebra I & II, Geometry, as well as additional coursework. U.Mass Amherst admission into Engineering, Management, and Computer Science requires the completion of 4 courses.)
Sciences	3 lab sciences
Social Sciences	2 courses (including 1 course in U.S. History)
Foreign Language	2 courses in a single language
Elective Subjects	2 courses (Arts, Humanities, Computer Sciences or the above subjects)

Criteria for College Admission
College admission requirements vary widely from school to school. As a guideline, colleges and universities usually consider the following factors:

*Academic Record (grades received and levels of courses)
-Rank in Class
-Grade Point Average (GPA)

*Results of College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) Examinations
-Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I)
-Subject Tests (SAT II)
-TOEFL (for students for whom English is not their first language)
- ACT

*Writing Sample

*Teacher/Counselor/Principal Recommendations

*Extra-curricular Activities (including work and volunteer experiences)

 

Prerequisites for Honors Placement

Prerequisites are utilized in the recommendation process to insure that students have acquired
sufficient mastery of material that will be needed in the next level course. Students who do not
receive the grade necessary to meet the prerequisite may still be recommended for the next level course if the teacher, in consultation with the department chair, feels that, regardless of the grade, the student has the skills and commitment to be successful in the next course.

As a general guideline, in order to receive an honors recommendation for the next level:

A student presently in an honors level course should have a solid academic standing and
demonstrate a high level of consistent effort and motivation.

A student who is presently in a college level course must be highly motivated, have an A
average or higher in their present college prep course, and receive a teacher recommendation. They must also have a willingness to complete additional work (if needed) to get caught up to the honors curriculum.

To receive a recommendation for an AP course, students must demonstrate interest, effort, motivation, and receive a teacher recommendation. Students may also be required to do a writing sample or other special prerequisites.

Change of Recommendation

If a student wishes to change a teacher recommendation they must complete a ‘Change of
Recommendation Form’ and return it to Guidance. These forms can be found in the Guidance Office.

*Credits Beyond the School Day Options

(CBSD) Newburyport High School currently offers several class options to students that meet apart from or outside of the standard school day. These classes are indicated by the notation above.