ACADEMIC INFORMATION

The following information is offered to help guide a student in a choice of studies.  Please see our Program of Studies for more detailed information regarding academic programming.  Parents and students are requested to keep the following in mind when planning courses for each year.

Credits

1. 1. All students must enroll in a minimum of 6.5 credits worth of courses each semester.  Students are excused from Physical Education only by a physician’s (M.D.) authorization.

   2. Students must earn credits in all required subjects, as specified in graduation requirements.

   3. Since English is a required course each year, maintaining and earning a passing grade in English is essential to meeting graduation requirements in a four-year period from the start of grade nine.  Should a student fail an English course there are two options available:

      • With approval, attend an approved summer school program.  Because programs differ, approval for the particular course/program must be obtained from the building specialist, the counseling office, and the administration.

      • Repeat English the following year.

Note:  Students are only permitted to take one English course per year, except with the special permission of the English and Guidance Departments. Should a student be allowed to take an additional course and fail to meet course requirements, the student will be asked to drop the course.

1. 4. In order to be awarded a diploma from Old Saybrook Senior High School, students must complete the graduation requirements set forth by the Board of Education.  In the event these requirements can be satisfactorily completed before the conclusion of the senior year, the student may request permission to terminate his academic studies at the high school and receive his/her diploma at the June commencement exercises.  The Student Handbook details the steps in this process.

   5. Prerequisites are required for some subjects, and subjects must be taken in the appropriate sequence.

   6. Courses may be added or dropped without record from student schedules during a period of two weeks from the beginning of a course.  

   7. Courses or subjects may be dropped after the first and third marking periods (first 20 days for .5 courses) only with special permission from the Principal.  If the student drops the subject after the first marking period, a “WF” (withdrawn failing) or WP (withdrawn passing) will be recorded for the subject.  

   8. A student will receive credit only once in a given course, with a few exceptions. A student may be permitted to repeat a course for which credit has already been received through special permission from the administration.  In most cases, repeated courses will be taken as “audit” only.

   9. Audit courses receive no credit value, and students may enroll in them only with approval from the teacher, parents, and guidance office.

   10. Conflicts can occur when scheduling students into their choice of subjects; therefore, students may have to be placed in alternate courses.

   11.  Certain courses may not be offered due to insufficient staffing, insufficient budgetary allotments, or insufficient enrollment. 

   12.  The following classification of courses may assist students in preparing their study plans:

       • College Preparatory

College Preparatory (CP) courses are designed to provide students with a foundation that will prepare them for academic work at the collegiate level, as well as other post-secondary education endeavors.  All of the core graduation courses are offered at the college preparatory level.

1. 12. • Honors

Honors (H) courses provide an elevated level of challenge to students. Subject matter is explored more in depth and tends to move at a faster pace than the CP level courses.

1. 12. • Advanced and Advanced Placement (AP)

The Advanced Placement Program* offers students the opportunity to complete college level studies during secondary school.  Advanced, ECE and AP courses are fast-paced, more intense study in specialized areas.   Each AP course culminates with a standardized test in the spring of the academic year *In order to receive credit on their transcripts, students are required to take the AP Test for each AP subject in which they are enrolled.  This international standardized assessment is critical to curriculum evaluation and alignment and is an integral part of the AP Program.

1. 12. • Early College Experience (ECE)

UConn Early College Experience (ECE) provides academically motivated students with the opportunity to take university courses while still in high school.  These challenging courses allow students to preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college, and earn college credits that provide both an academic and a financial head start on a college degree.  There is a fee from the University of Connecticut for each ECE course.

Capstone

Capstone enables students to demonstrate the many skills they have obtained while in Old Saybrook Public Schools. Additionally, Capstone fulfills the following OSPS graduation requirement: In order to graduate and be granted a diploma, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of twenty-five credits, including a one credit senior demonstration project or its equivalent, as approved by the State Board of Education.

Capstone Components are reviewed and revised annually and communicated to upperclassmen in the first semester of the school year.

Certificate of Global Engagement

The Connecticut Certificate of Global Engagement is a designation that districts may award students who demonstrate achievement toward global competency, as defined by an ability to: 

• Investigate the world beyond their immediate environment 

• Recognize their own and others’ perspectives 

• Communicate ideas effectively with diverse audiences 

• Translate their ideas into appropriate actions to address a contemporary global issue 

Please see our Program of Studies for more detailed information about acquiring this certificate.

Examinations – Midterms and Finals 

Dates are subject to change because of school closings due to inclement weather.

See  Marking Periods here. 

Mid-year examinations are scheduled for January 16 – 22, 2026.  

Final examinations are set for June 9 –12, 2026.  

Exam days are half days at OSHS only, following this schedule:

Exam Block 1: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Exam Block 2: 10: 15 AM - 12:15 PM

The examinations test material and/or skills covered during the semester and/or year.  If a student is unable to take a midyear or final examination due to illness or emergency, it is the responsibility of the student and his or her parents to notify the school that a problem exists prior to the administering of the exam.  A make-up examination will not be arranged unless this procedure is followed.  Students must stay in the classroom for the entire exam period.  Students may leave school early if they don’t have an exam during the second exam block and have a signed permission slip.  Students do not have to come to school until the second exam block if they don’t have an exam scheduled for block 1.  

Graduation Requirements

Required Coursework and Credits for Graduation The Old Saybrook Board of Education conforms with state law regarding credits for graduation from high school. 

The following 25 credits are required to graduate

• Humanities: 9 Credits (4 English, 3 Social Studies [U.S. History and Civics], 1 Fine Arts, 1 Humanities Elective) 

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM):  9 Credits (3 Math, 3 Science, 1 Applied Art, .5 Computer, .5 Finance, 1 STEM Elective)

• Physical Education and Wellness: 1 Credit 

• Health and Safety Education: 1 Credit 

• World Languages: 1 Credit 

• Mastery-Based Diploma: 1 Credit (Capstone) and.5 College and Career Readiness (minimum)

• General Electives:  2.5 Credits 

• Community Service: 30 Documented Hours

Honor Roll

Honor rolls are posted and published two weeks after the conclusion of each quarter and are updated when grades are submitted for incomplete work.  Honor roll categories are based upon the following classification:

• High Honors: An average greater than or equal to 90 with the allowance of one grade in the range of 83–89.

• Honors: An average greater than or equal to 83 with the allowance of one grade in the range of 73–79.

Marking System

Scholastic achievement marks are based upon the following classifications:

• A: 90 - 100

• B: 80 - 89

• C: 70 - 79

• D: 60 - 69

• F: 50 - 59

Under the current grading system, credit is earned for final grades of 60 or higher and with fewer than 16 total absences for a full year course or 8 total absences for a semester course. 

Promotion Requirements

To earn sophomore, junior, and senior status, the following credits are required:

• From Grade 9 to Grade 10: 6.0 credits, including credit for English 1

• From Grade 10 to Grade 11: 12.0 credits, including credit for English 2

• From Grade 11 to Grade 12: 18.5 credits, including credit for English 3

Seal of Biliteracy

Old Saybrook Public Schools is proud to announce the addition of the Seal of Biliteracy for all high school graduates who acquire proficiency in multiple languages through various pathways prior to graduation. A national world language assessment known as the ACTFL Assessment for Performance towards Proficiency in Language (AAPPL) will take place in junior and senior year to allow for the Seal to be awarded upon graduation. Please click the link in the title above for more information on how a student can obtain this prestigious honor. 

A student’s use of language must be demonstrated, rather than their knowledge about the language. A student must demonstrate proficiency in a second language other than English based on specific criteria. Proficiency in all modes of communication need to be demonstrated by the student. In Connecticut, two requirements must be met: 

• Complete all English language arts requirements for graduation. 

• Demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English in grades 10, 11, or 12 at a level comparable to "Intermediate Mid" on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. 

Affixed on the high school diploma and transcript, the Seal of Biliteracy provides immediate recognition of a critical twenty-first century language and communication skill. This award is given by a school district in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in English and one or more other languages by high school graduation. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes the value of students' academic efforts, the tangible benefits of being bilingual and biliterate, and prepares students to be 21st century global citizens in a multicultural, multilingual world.