Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology
Graduation Requirements
Know your requirements. Build your plan. Own your next chapter.
Follow Newark’s district graduation requirements and the state requirements for your graduating class. Our team will help you understand where you stand and what comes next.
The Newark distinction
Our district requirements go beyond the state minimum.
New Jersey sets a statewide minimum of 120 credits. Newark Board of Education students must earn at least 130 credits, fulfill Newark’s required course distribution, and complete the additional district and applicable state requirements.
130
Minimum district credits
Complete the required subjects and approved electives.
80
Community-service hours
Document verified service across your high school years.
Senior thesis
A district graduation requirement
Follow the school’s directions and completion checkpoints.
Newark also requires the financial aid application requirement to be completed or any permitted exemption to be documented. Students must meet their applicable graduation assessment requirements.
Your coursework foundation
Newark’s required courses & credits
Use your official transcript and counselor’s graduation review to confirm how your courses fulfill each requirement.
| Content area | Required coursework / sequence | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Arts | English I, II, III, IV | 20 |
| Mathematics | Four years of approved mathematics coursework | 20 |
| Science | Four years of approved science coursework | 20 |
| Social Studies | World History | 5 |
| Social Studies | U.S. History I and II | 10 |
| Social Studies | Financial Literacy | 2.5 |
| Social Studies | Semester elective course | 2.5 |
| World Languages | World Language I and II | 10 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | Approved visual and performing arts coursework | 5 |
| Health, Safety & Physical Education | Physical Education / Health I, II, III, IV | 20 |
| Career & Technical Education | Career-Technical Education course | 5 |
| Electives | Additional approved electives | 10 |
| Minimum total | 130 | |
The four Social Studies entries together total 20 credits, including Financial Literacy and the semester elective course. A course must be approved and correctly assigned to a requirement; completing extra credits in one subject does not automatically replace another required subject.
View the 2026–2027 district course tableMore than a credit total
Complete every part of your graduation plan.
Keep track of these requirements throughout high school and review your documentation with your counselor.
District requirement
Senior thesis
Complete the required thesis project and follow the school’s assignment directions, checkpoints, and final submission process. Ask your teacher or counselor about your progress and any missing work.
District requirement
80 hours of community service
Complete and document approved service. Keep a record of dates, activities, hours, and verification. Submit records regularly so your school file reflects the service you have completed.
District financial aid requirement
FAFSA / NJAFAA
Complete the appropriate financial aid application, or work with your counselor to document an applicable exemption. Newark has included this requirement beginning with the Class of 2022 and beyond.
Confirm the correct application year, required documentation, and school deadlines with your counselor.
FAFSA New Jersey Alternative Application Current state waiver guidanceState requirement
Graduation assessments
Meet the English Language Arts and mathematics assessment requirements that apply to your graduating class and individual plan. Work with your counselor to confirm completed components and any next steps.
Find assessment requirements by classUse guidance for your graduating class
Understand your assessment pathway.
Assessment requirements are one part of graduation. Newark’s coursework and additional district requirements still apply.
Current NJDOE guidance for the Class of 2027 uses the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment–Adaptive (NJGPA-A). Students must complete the required grade 11 assessment before accessing the substitute assessment pathway; portfolio eligibility also depends on the student’s assessment record.
First pathway
NJGPA-A
Complete the required assessment and demonstrate proficiency in both ELA and mathematics. Ask about preparation and retesting options if needed.
Second pathway
Approved substitute assessment
Eligible students may meet designated scores on a test accepted by NJDOE. Your counselor must confirm eligibility and the applicable scores.
Third pathway
District-submitted portfolio appeal
Eligible students may demonstrate proficiency through the state’s portfolio process. Work with the school team on requirements and submission.
Students with IEPs should review applicable graduation requirements with their IEP team and counselor. Follow your individualized plan and current state guidance.
Stay informed. Seek support early.
Make your graduation review a routine.
Review your official transcript.
Check earned credits by subject, current course placements, missing grades, and any transfer or college records that still need to be reviewed.
Check every requirement.
Review course distribution, assessment components, community-service documentation, senior thesis progress, and the financial aid application or exemption.
Agree on clear next steps.
Ask your counselor what remains, how to complete it, and when it is due. Keep copies of records and follow up on anything that has not yet been posted.
District credit thresholds
Track your progress toward the next grade.
32.5
Credits for grade 10 status
65
Credits for grade 11 status
97.5
Credits for grade 12 status
These are published district credit thresholds for grade-level status. Review your individual schedule and progress with your counselor; graduation also requires the correct subjects and all additional requirements.
Go directly to the source
Official resources for students & families
Use Newark’s requirements for your district graduation plan and NJDOE guidance for your state assessment pathway.
Newark graduation requirements
The district’s published course, credit, and additional graduation requirements.
Read district requirements2026–2027 High School Guidebook
See the graduation and course requirements section, especially printed pages 39–40 and 45.
Open the district guidebookNJDOE assessment guidance
Find graduation assessment requirements by graduating class. Review your pathway with your counselor.
Find your class guidanceClass of 2027 assessment requirements
Review the current NJGPA-A, substitute assessment, and portfolio pathways for this graduating class.
Review Class of 2027 guidanceFAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Select the application year that matches your college plans.
Visit Federal Student AidNew Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application
HESAA explains who may qualify for this state-aid application and how to apply.
Visit HESAAFinancial aid requirement & waivers
Review current NJDOE guidance, then work with your counselor on any applicable exemption documentation.
Read waiver guidanceQuestions worth asking early
Graduation FAQs
Are Newark’s requirements the same as New Jersey’s minimum requirements?
Newark has additional district requirements. New Jersey’s statewide minimum is 120 credits, while Newark requires at least 130 credits in its required course distribution. Newark also requires a senior thesis, 80 hours of community service, and completion of its financial aid application requirement, with any permitted exemption documented. State assessment requirements also apply.
If I have 130 credits, am I automatically ready to graduate?
Your counselor must also confirm that the credits fulfill the required subjects and that all other graduation requirements are complete. A total credit count by itself does not show whether you have met every requirement.
What if I failed a class or am missing credits?
Meet with your counselor as soon as possible. Review which requirement is missing and ask about approved options for completing it. Confirm how any recovery or replacement course will count before enrolling.
Do AP, dual-enrollment, or transfer courses count?
They may count when approved and properly recorded. Your counselor must review the course, credits, and transcript to determine how they satisfy your individual graduation plan. Submit official records promptly and ask for a transcript review.
What happens if I do not meet a graduation assessment requirement?
Speak with your counselor about the requirements for your graduating class and your assessment record. Eligible students may have retesting, approved substitute assessment, or district-submitted portfolio options. Do not assume that taking another test automatically satisfies the requirement.
How are graduation requirements handled for students with IEPs?
Review the student’s graduation plan with the IEP team and school counselor. The IEP addresses applicable state and local requirements and any approved individualized pathway or modification. An IEP does not automatically remove graduation requirements.
How do I know which community-service hours count?
Check with the school before beginning an activity. Follow the school’s approval and documentation process, keep accurate records, and submit your verified hours regularly. Ask for help finding opportunities that fit your schedule and circumstances.
What if my family cannot complete a financial aid application?
Contact your counselor early. Our team can help you understand the appropriate application or any permitted exemption process and documentation. Do not leave the requirement unresolved or assume it does not apply.
Who confirms that all my requirements are complete?
Your school counselor and the school administration review the official records and graduation requirements. Stay in contact, respond to requests, and keep copies of submitted documents and confirmations.
Your next step
Know where you stand. Ask for a graduation review.
Contact your school counselor, Dimitris Meredith or Tatyana Zapata, to review your transcript and graduation plan. Families are welcome to join the conversation.
Call the Main Office and ask to connect with the counseling team.
973-350-5088Final graduation eligibility is confirmed through the school’s official review of the student’s records and applicable requirements.