6146 - HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to satisfy the high school graduation requirements within Newtown Public Schools, a student must have satisfactorily completed the prescribed courses of study; demonstrated proficiency in basic skills identified by the Newtown Board of Education (the “Board”); satisfied the legally mandated number and distribution of credits required to graduate from high school; and if graduating in 2027 and thereafter, satisfied the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”) requirements detailed below.

Required Coursework and Credits for Graduation

Classes Graduating in 2025 and Thereafter

For classes graduating in 2025 and thereafter, the following 25 credits are required:

Humanities 9

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)  9

Physical Education and Wellness 1

Health and Safety Education 1

World Languages 1

Personal Financial Literacy .5

Electives 2.5

Senior Capstone Project 1

The Board of Education shall award a high school diploma to any World War II veteran, veteran of the Korean Hostilities, or a Vietnam-era veteran requesting such diploma who left high school for military service as defined in the statutes.

A student who presents written documentation from a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant, stating that participation in physical education is not advisable because of the physical condition of the student, shall be excused from the physical education requirement. In such a case, another subject must be substituted.

Any student who is deaf or hearing impaired may be exempted from any world language graduation requirement if the student’s parent or guardian requests such exemption in writing.

A credit is defined as the equivalent of one forty (40) minute class period for each school day of a school year and one-half credit is granted for the equivalent of a course with a forty (40) minute class period each school day for one semester or ninety (90) days.

Only courses taken in grades nine to twelve inclusive, and that are in accordance with the state-wide subject matter content standards, adopted by the State Board of Education, shall satisfy the above graduation requirements, except that the Board will grant a student credit:

High school graduation credit will be granted to students upon the successful demonstration of mastery of subject matter achieved through educational experiences and opportunities that provide flexible and multiple pathways to learning, including:

● Virtual learning,

● Work-based learning,

● Dual enrollment and early college,

● Internships and student-designed independent studies;

Provided that such demonstration of mastery is in accordance with such state-wide subject matter content standards.

High school graduation credit will be granted to students for coursework completed during the school year or summer months at an institution accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited. One three-credit semester course, or its equivalent, at such an institution shall equal one-half credit for purposes of this policy.

High school graduation credit will be granted to students upon the successful completion of on-line coursework in accordance with the Board’s on-line coursework policy.

High school graduation credit will be granted to students upon the successful completion of a credit recovery program approved by the Commissioner of Education.

Demonstration of Proficiency in Basic Skills

In addition to meeting the coursework and credit graduation requirements listed above, to graduate high school, each student must demonstrate proficiency in the basic skills in reading, writing and math.

Proficiency is measured by meeting the “college readiness benchmark” score on the SAT/PSAT in Reading and Writing.

Proficiency is measured by meeting the “college readiness benchmark” score on the SAT/PSAT in Mathematics.

Students may demonstrate proficiency in the basic skills described above by achieving satisfactory results on the following:

Earning a passing grade in American Literature or another 11th grade English course equivalent.

Earning a passing grade in Algebra 2 or College Math Topics.

FAFSA Requirement for Classes Graduating in 2027 and Thereafter

Students graduating in 2027 and beyond are required to have satisfied one of the following prior to graduation:

(1) completed a FAFSA;

(2) for students without legal immigration status, completed and submitted to a public institution of higher education an application for institutional financial aid; or

(3) completed a waiver of completion of the FAFSA and/or financial aid application, as applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education, signed by the student’s parent or guardian or signed by the student if the student is eighteen or older.

On and after March 15 of each school year, a principal, school counselor, teacher, or other certified educator may complete the waiver on behalf of any student who has not satisfied the above requirements if such principal, school counselor, teacher, or other certified educator affirms that they have made a good faith effort to contact the parent/guardian or student about completion of such applications.

Graduation During Period of Expulsion

A student may graduate during an expulsion period if the Board determines that the student has completed the necessary credits required for graduation.

Legal References:

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-14n

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-16b

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221a

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221z

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-223a

Public Act No. 24-45, “An Act Concerning Education Mandate Relief, School Discipline, and Disconnected Youth”

Adopted: December 17, 2024

NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Revised: Newtown, Connecticut