Graduation Requirements

New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) Update: Cut Scores and English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Resources
Classes of 2023–2025 High School Graduation Assessment Requirements Updated February 2022

State/District Graduation Requirements - Effective with the Class of 2022
To accumulate the 130 credits required to earn a high school diploma, students must successfully complete the following courses as required by the New Jersey State Department of Education and the Newark Public Schools.

Content AreaCourseYearsCredits
Language Arts LiteracyEnglish I, II, III, IV4 years20 credits
MathematicsMathematics4 years20 credits
ScienceScience4 years20 credits
Social StudiesWorld History
US History I, II
Financial Literacy
Semester Course
1 year
2 years
1/2 year
1/2 year
5 credits
10 credits
2.5 credits
2.5 credits
World LanguageWorld Language I, II2 years10 credits
Visual & Performing ArtsVisual & Performing Arts1 year5 credits
Health, Safety & Physical EducationPhysical Education/Health I, II, III, IV4 years20 credits
21st Century Life & Career or Career & Technical EducationCareer & Technical Education Course1 year5 credits
ElectivesElectives1 year10 credits
Total Credits130 credits

Additional Requirements:

  1. Senior Thesis;
  2. Demonstrated mastery on State Assessments;
  3. 80 hours of Community Service;
  4. FAFSA/NJAFAA.

To be eligible for sophomore status (10th grade), students must have earned 32.5 credits. To be eligible for junior status (11th grade), students must have earned 65 credits. To be eligible for senior status (12th grade), students must have earned 97.5 credits.