Graduation Requirements
| Subject | NHS Graduation Requirements | Requirements by MA State Colleges, UMASS | Requirements by Most 4-Year Colleges | Recommended by Most Selective Colleges* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 4 Credits | 4 Credits | 4 Credits | 4 Credits Honors Level Classes |
| Mathematics | 4 Credits Algebra I & Geometry |
4 Credits Algebra I & II, Geometry, & a math senior year |
4 Credits Algebra I & II, Geometry, & a math senior year |
4 Credits Algebra I & II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, & a math senior year |
| Social Studies | 3 Credits World History I & II, US History |
2 Credits US History |
3 Credits Includes US History |
4 Credits Includes World History I, US History I |
| Science | 3 Credits Biology or Intro to Physics Required |
3 Credits Two lab sciences courses |
3 - 4 Credits Including Biology OR Intro to Physics & Chemistry OR Physics |
3 - 4 Credits Including Biology OR Intro to Physics, Chemistry, & Physics |
| World Languages | No Requirements | 2 Credits Same language |
2 - 3 Credits Same language |
3-4 Credits |
| General Requirement | .5 Credit Personal Financial Literacy |
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| Wellness | 2.5 Credits Wellness I & II, 2 Wellness electives |
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| Fine/Performing Arts | No Requirements | Fine or Performing Arts | Fine or Performing Arts | |
| Electives | 10-12 Credits | 2 Credits From Core Subjects, Arts, Humanities, or Computer Science |
Electives that enrich your academic program | Electives that enrich your academic program |
Community Service
NHS Commitment to Community Service Learning: All students are required to complete twenty (20) total hours of service over four years. The 20 hours need to be completed prior to May 1st of the year of graduation. A student who has not met the Community Service requirement will not be permitted to participate in commencement.
Promotion Policy
Students may be assigned to Advisory by their class standing and not upon the number of years they have attended NHS.
To remain in their graduating class, students must earn enough credits to remain in line for graduation during the traditional time period (able to meet the credit requirements for graduation through taking a full 7-credit load of courses each year). In addition, students must successfully complete the required English course in their year to remain in their projected year of graduation.
● To be part of the Senior Class, 19 credits and pass English III.
● To be part of the Junior Class, 12 credits and pass English II.
● To be part of the Sophomore Class, 6 credits and pass English I.
With approval from the principal, students who fall behind may be allowed to gain credits through non-traditional avenues (e.g. online courses).
Participation in Commencement/Graduation
Only those students who have satisfied the graduation requirements before the time of commencement will be allowed to participate in the ceremony. No student with any outstanding obligations – owed café debt, technology devices/equipment, owed technology debt, books, uniforms, etc. – to the school will be eligible to participate in Commencement. He/she/they will be asked to pick up his/her/their diploma in the main office after Commencement and the fulfillment of the obligation. A student who has not met the Community Service Requirement (20 hours) will not be eligible to participate in commencement.