Graduation Requirements
I. Introduction
Currently, to graduate from Hamden High School, a student must earn a minimum of twenty-three credits (for the graduating class of 2022) and a minimum of twenty- five credits (for the graduating class of 2023 and beyond). Students must also demonstrate a standard of performance in literacy and in numeracy, which is completed through participation in the school- based SAT during 11th grade. If these requirements are not met, please consult the Green and Gold guide for alternate options to meet the numeracy and literacy requirement.
Classes graduating 2023 and beyond are also required to complete a Capstone Project. Please head to the Academics page for more information.
II. Credit Distribution Requirements – for the classes of 2021 & 2022
Students must earn credits in the following courses:
|
English |
4 credits (1 credit American Literature or American Studies is recommended, but not required) |
|
Social Studies |
3 credits (1 credit United States History and 0.5 credit Civics or 1 credit AP United States Government and Politics) |
|
Mathematics |
3 credits (Accounting at the high school counts toward this requirement) |
|
Science |
3 credits (1 credit Biology) |
|
Physical Education |
1.5 Credits |
|
CTE |
0.5 credit |
|
Fine Arts |
1 credit |
|
Health Education |
0.5 credit |
|
Electives |
6.5 credits |
Credit Distribution Requirements – Commencing with the classes of 2023 and for each graduating class thereafter. Students must have completed at least nine credits in humanities and at least nine credits in STEM courses, including one credit in health & safety education, one credit in world language and one credit in mastery-based assessment.
|
Humanities - English |
4 credits (1 credit American Literature or American Studies is recommended, but not required) |
|
Humanities - Social Studies |
3 credits (1 credit United States History and 1 credit Civics or AP United States Government and Politics) |
|
STEM - Mathematics |
3 credits |
|
STEM - Science |
3 credits (1 credit Biology) |
|
Physical Education |
1.5 Credits |
|
STEM - CTE |
0.5 credit |
|
Humanities - Fine Arts |
1 credit |
|
Health Education |
1 credit |
|
Humanities - World Language |
1 credit |
|
Electives |
6 credits (2.5 elective credits must include STEM courses) |
|
Mastery-based diploma assessment |
1 credit |
III. Literacy and Numeracy Performance Standards
The Hamden Public Schools believes students must have satisfactory skills in literacy and numeracy in order to graduate. To demonstrate competency, students must meet district performance standards in each area. These performance standards align with the proficiency standards on the SAT. All Grade 11 Hamden Public School students are expected to take this test during the in-school administration of the test as a measure of their proficiency.
a. Transfer Students
If a student transfers into Hamden High School after completing at least three years in a high school in another district, he/she must have met the Literacy / Numeracy graduation requirements in that district in order to be exempt from Hamden’s graduation requirements.
b. Special Needs Students
The indicators of competency for literacy and numeracy for graduation may be modified if indicated on the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).