Graduation Information

DEFINITIONS OF IMPORTANT TERMS:

Credit Point - the New Jersey unit for quantitative evaluation of courses. The credit point is determined by the time spent in the classroom. One credit is equivalent to each period per week that a full-year course is scheduled to meet; for example, a full-year course meeting 5 periods a week earns 5 credits; a full-year course meeting 6 periods a week earns 6 credits; a one-semester course meeting 5 periods a week earns 2 1/2 credits.

College Entrance Unit - The college entrance unit is the term normally used by colleges to express a quantitative evaluation of high school courses acceptable as preparation for college; one full-year course is evaluated as one unit. Acceptable units are determined by the college in question and are usually given for academic college preparatory courses only:  English, World Languages, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. Sixteen units make up the usual college minimum requirement.

Required Course - A required course is one that all students at Ridge High School must successfully complete before satisfying the State and local requirements for graduation.

Elective Course  - An elective course is any course other than the defined required courses; electives are chosen to complete a student's program after the required subjects are selected. A student may elect any course if he/she has met the specified prerequisites. Electives enrich one's background, complete the entrance requirements for specific types of schools or colleges, and offer experiences in areas of special talent. Each year the choice of these courses is very important. Selection should be made only after careful consideration of the relation of the course or courses to one's needs, goals, capacities, interests, extracurricular activities, and out-of-school duties.

Graduation Requirements 

• 120 Total Credits
• 4 Credit Years of English
• 2 Credit Years of World Language
• 3 Credit Years of Science
• 1 Credit Year of World History
• 2 Credit Years of Social Studies and US History
• 3 Credit Years of Mathematics (computer courses excluded)
• 1 Credit Year of Physical Education and Health & Safety for each year of enrollment in RHS
• 1 Credit Year of Visual and/or Performing Arts
• 1 Credit Year of Practical Arts
• Passing scores on each section (Language Arts/Literacy & Math) of the HSPA
• Adherence to the RHS attendance policy
• *Financial, Economic, Business, and Entrepreneurial Literacy (class of 2014) Beginning with the Class of 2014, all students will be required to complete a 2.5 credit course in financial, economic, business and entreprenurial literacy prior to graduation (NJAC 6A:8-5.1.a.1.v.). 
  

High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA)

The State of New Jersey requires that all students must pass the Grade 11 New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA). The HSPA will be administered annually in the spring of eleventh grade. Eleventh grade students whose scores are partially proficient will qualify for remedial assistance in grade 12.

Additional information can be found on the NJ Department of Education website.



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