The Somerset Hills School District Board of Education will recognize the successful completion of the secondary school instructional program by the award of a state-endorsed diploma certifying the pupil has met all state and local requirements for high school graduation. The Board will annually certify to the Executive County Superintendent each pupil who has been awarded a diploma has met the requirements for graduation.
To earn a New Jersey-endorsed high school diploma from Bernards High School, a pupil must fulfill the following minimum requirements, which are designed to meet all of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards including at least one of the following options:
The Class of 2019 will have the opportunity to fulfill New Jersey graduation requirements through the PARCC exam or a variety of other options. Please contact a guidance counselor or administrator for up-to-date information on graduation requirements. The Biology End-of- Course (EOC) Assessment will be administered to all students in May of the year in which they take their first high school biology course.
- Successfully complete a minimum of 121 credits in high school and/or receive the recommendation of the High School principal.
- Successfully complete the minimum course requirements as defined by the Somerset Hills Board of Education (see below):
- Four years (20 credits) of Language Arts Literacy, one year (5 credits) in each grade 9-12 (English electives do not satisfy the requirement)
- Three years (15 credits) of Mathematics including Algebra I, Geometry and a third year of math that builds upon these courses (Math electives do not satisfy the requirement)
- Three years (15 credits) of Social Studies including one year (5 credits) of World History and two years (10 credits) of United States History including New Jersey history and civics
- At least fifteen credits (three years) in science, including at least five credits in laboratory biology/life science or the content equivalent; including one additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course which shall include chemistry, environmental science, or physics; and, effective with the 2012-2013 9th grade class, including one additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course
- One year (5 credits) of Physical Education and Health/Safety (must include Life Skills I, Auto Safety, First Aid, and Life Skills II) for each year of enrollment in a public high school in New Jersey. For pupils who are scheduled for a 6 -credit science with a lab, the credit for Physical Education and Health/Safety will be adjusted to a total of 4 credits
- One year (5 credits) of World Language
- One semester (2.5 credits) of economics and financial literacy
- One quarter credit per year (10 hours per year) of Service Learning
- One year (5 credits) in the Visual & Performing Arts
- One year (5 credits) in 21st Century Life & Careers
- One semester (2.5 credits) of Technology & Research (T&R) is required, along with
- One semester (2.5 credits) of another appropriate elective
- Technological literacy, consistent with the Core Curriculum Content Standards, integrated throughout the curriculum through infusion