Graduation Requirements

Credits:

While the State mandates 120 credits for high school graduation, South Brunswick High School students must successfully earn 125 credits including the following required courses:

  • 4 years (20 credits) of English/Language Arts aligned to Common Core State Standards or CCSS;
  • 3 years (15 credits) of Mathematics including Algebra I and Geometry or the content equivalent aligned to CCSS;
  • 3 years (15 credits) of Social Studies (Government and Economics, U.S. History and Global Studies) aligned to NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards or NJCCCS;
  • 3 years (15 credits) of Science (Physical Science, Biological Science and an additional lab/inquiry based Science elective) aligned to NJCCCS;
  • 4 years of Health/Physical Education (Adolescent Issues, Driver's Education, Adult Issues and Senior Health) aligned to NJCCCS;
  • 2 years of World Language aligned to NJCCCS (must be the same language);
  • 1 year of Visual or Performing Arts aligned to NJCCCS;

Beginning with class of 2014:

  • 1 year of 21st Century Life & Career Skills (taken in Freshman year) aligned to NJCCCS:
    • Architecture in the 21st Century
    • Automotive Technology in the 21st Century
    • Business in the 21st Century
    • Computer and Multimedia Applications in the 21st Century
    • Computer Science in the 21st Century
    • Engineering in the 21st Century
    • Fashion and Textiles in the 21st Century
    • Culinary Arts for the 21st Century
    • Journalism for the 21st Century
    • Kids in the 21st Century
    • Music for the 21st Century
    • Technology in the 21st Century
    • Video in the 21st Century
    • Writing for Film and Media in the 21st Century
  • 1 semester (2.5 credits) of Personal Financial Management (taken in Junior year) aligned to NJCCCS.

More detailed information can be found on the SBHS Web site

Assessments:

All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students will participate in a "suite" of End-of-Course assessments as part of the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). These include English I, II and III, and Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. These tests will replace the HSPA (High School Proficiency Assessment) that was once a graduation requirement. It is important to note that PARCC assessments will be given throughout a student's high school career, as the required English and Math courses are taken and completed. Eleventh grade students taking the following course, AP English III Language and Composition during his/her eleventh grade year may be exempt from taking the PARCC ELA Grade 11 assessment.

The New Jersey Department of Education requires that all high school students demonstrate competency in English and Mathematics prior to graduation. As such, students at the high school level will be able to satisfy the State graduation requirement by participating and showing proficiency on a standardized measure. In New Jersey, the PARCC assessment is used to measure proficiency. The document below can be used to determine the graduation requirements based on the student's graduation year.

High School Graduation Requirements NJDOE Resource

New Jersey does not currently have an opt-out policy. Students are expected to participate in state assessment programs, as per the provisions under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.), and as advised by the Executive County Superintendent's Office.
In addition, the state mandates that all students enrolled in the first-level Biology course are required to take the End-of-Course State Examination in Biology (New Jersey Competency in Biology) at the end of the year. First-level Biology courses include: General Biology, Biology I and Honors Biology I.

Finally, all students taking Senior Health must complete the SBSD 12th Grade Research Task that prompts students to select a critical health issue, conduct research, and compose an advocacy paper in which they take a stance and support their position. (Students in the PEER or HiTOPS programs complete an alternative task.)
Note - Assessments and credit requirements are updated annually based on changes at the State level and District policy.