GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Grade Level Promotion

To advance to the next grade level beyond freshman year the following credits are required:

Sophomore           6.0, including credit for freshman English

      Junior     12.0, including credit for sophomore English

        Senior                       18.5, including credit for junior English

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:

*Cross-curricular graduation requirements 

*Career and technical education 

*Virtual learning

*Work-based learning (Internships)

*Service learning as outlined below (Community Service)

*Dual enrollment and early college experience

*Courses taken in middle school as outlined below

*Student-designed independent studies; 

Provided that such demonstration of mastery is in accordance with such state-wide subject matter content standards and receives prior approval from the principal.  

High school graduation credit will be granted to students for courses successfully completed with a [B] or better in grades seven and eight so long as the primary focus of the course corresponds directly to the subject matter of a specified course requirement at the high school level.

High school graduation credit will be granted to students for World Language courses successfully completed with a [B] or better in grades six, seven or eight, provided the primary focus of the course corresponds directly to the subject matter specified in the course requirements at the high school; although, it will not count as the required World Language credit towards graduation.  In addition, high school graduation credit will be granted to students for World Language courses successfully completed with a [B] or better, or its equivalent, as determined by the High School Principal, through on-line coursework or upon achievement of a passing grade, as determined by the High School Principal, in a course offered privately through a nonprofit provider.  In order to receive credit, the course must be pre-approved by the High School Principal. Additional tuition costs will be the responsibility of the student’s family. 

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. In order to receive credit, the course must be pre-approved by the High School Principal. 

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 and with prior approval of the Principal.

All students must complete a minimum of 30 documented hours of community service. A student may be granted one-half credit for documented community service provided it is supervised by an administrator or teacher and consists of not less than eighty (80) hours of actual service that may be performed at times when school is not regularly in session and not less than ten (10) hours of related classroom instruction. Such community service does not include partisan political activities. All community service must be completed by the start of senior year. 

New Graduation Requirement beginning with the Class of 2027 

Since 2019, the Connecticut State Department Education (CSDE) has been encouraging high schools to support completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so our graduates are better positioned for postsecondary success. These efforts include student-level data sharing, a public dashboard, a FAFSA challenge grant, and FAFSA training sessions. Pursuant to sections 319 and 320 of Public Act 23-204, starting with the high school graduating class of 2027, school districts shall not permit a student to graduate from high school unless the student has completed the FAFSA, other institutional financial aid application for those without legal immigration status, or a waiver developed by the CSDE. All information regarding the CSDE’s FAFSA completion efforts are at FAFSA Completion (ct.gov). 

Demonstration of Proficiency in Basic Skills

In addition to satisfactory completion of graduation credit as specified in “required coursework and credit for graduation,” all students must participate in the mastery examination designated by the State of Connecticut in accordance with Special Session Public Act 17-42. 

In addition, all students must demonstrate proficiency in the 21st Century Skills (See attached DoDEA Document-[link in BOE Policy on Website]) through a senior capstone project and results of portfolio review and AP test results or any other assessment determined by the Board of Education. 

Examples: College-Sponsored Summer Programming, Independent Internships, Future-Focused Work Experiences, Summer Outward-Bound Programs, etc. If you are considering a program outside of Old Saybrook Coursework and are interested in learning how you might be able to earn credit towards graduation, please reach out to your school counselor.

For more details of the Board of Education Policy on Graduation Requirements please click here.