DBS CODE: 5127 DBS CODE: 5127STUDENTS:
Graduation/Separation:
The superintendent will establish detailed requirements to agree with the goals for our schools as adopted by the Board of Education and the requirements will be published in the student handbook and course of studies guide. The faculty will apply measures of achievement to provide evidence that each student has progressed far enough toward school goals to warrant his/her graduation. Graduation may involve awarding to students a Somers High School diploma or a Certificate of Completion of a Program of Special Studies.
To be considered a full-time student, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors must carry a minimum of 6½ credits each year. In the areas indicated below, 6 class periods of instruction must be scheduled within the 7 period day over the six-day STRIVE rotation. After consultation with the Guidance Department, approval for a reduced schedule load may be obtained from the Administration for extenuating circumstances.
Graduation Requirements:
Credit Distribution Requirement (Beginning with the class of 2023)
Subject Area
| Credits | Description |
English | 4 |
|
Social Studies | 3 | 1 each in World History, US History/Civics 1 and II or AP/UCONN ECE US History |
Humanities Electives | 2 (.5 credit must be satisfied in the fine arts-Music/Art, and 1.5 credits of humanities electives) | English, Social Studies, Music, Art, World Languages |
STEM (9) Credits
| 4
| Integrated Science, Biology, Science Electives. *Business STEM are labeled in the Course Selection Guide |
Physical Education and Wellness | 1 |
|
Health and Safety | 1 |
|
Electives | 3 | Business, Tech Ed, Family and Consumer Sciences, World Languages, Social Sciences, Arts, etc? |
Mastery Based Capstone Project | 1 | .5 credit for required course, .5 credit for successful completion of project. |
Carnegie Units Total | 25 |
|
Credit Distribution Requirement (Beginning with the class of 2024)
Subject Area
| Credits | Description |
English | 4 |
|
Social Studies
| 3 | 1 each in World History, US History/Civics 1 and II or AP/UCONN ECE US History |
Humanities Electives | 2 (.5 credit must be satisfied in the fine arts-Music/Art, and 1.5 credits of humanities electives) | English, Social Studies, Music, Art, World Languages |
STEM (9) Credits
| 4
| Integrated Science, Biology, Science Electives. *Business STEM are labeled in the Course Selection Guide |
Physical Education and Wellness | 1 |
|
Health and Safety | 1 |
|
Personal Finance
| .5 4 | Computer Applications: Personal Finance or Consumer Math satisfy the Personal Finance requirement. Carnegie units will only be awarded for Computer Applications: Personal Finance.
|
Mastery Based Capstone Project | 1 | .5 credit for required course, .5 credit for successful completion of project. |
Carnegie Units Total | 25 |
|
Computer Literacy
Beginning with the graduating class of 2020, the Board of Education will provide adequate student support and remedial services for students beginning in grade seven (2014-2015 school year). Such student support and remedial services shall provide alternate means for a student to complete any of the high school graduation requirements, previously listed, or end of the school year examinations, if such student is unable to satisfactorily complete any of the required courses or exams. Such student support and remedial services shall include, but not be limited to, (1) allowing students to retake courses in summer school or through an on-line course; (2) allowing students to enroll in a class offered at a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, allowing students who received a failing score, as determined by the Commissioner of Education, on an end of the school year exam to take an alternate form of the exam; and (4) allowing those students whose individualized education plans state that such students are eligible for an alternate assessment to demonstrate competency on any of the five core courses through success on such alternate assessment.
Beginning with the Class of 2017, one credit of math and/or one credit of foreign language can be earned towards high school graduation upon the successful completion of an Algebra I or world language course in grades six, seven or eight, or an online course successfully completed.
All credits earned toward meeting any of the graduation requirements through the successful completion of online courses must fulfill the requirements established in policy #6172.6, "Virtual/On-line Courses."
Beginning July 1, 2014 the Board shall create a student success plan for each enrolled student, beginning in grade six. Such plans shall include students' career and academic choices in grades six to twelve inclusive.
Graduation shall not be held until 180 days (minimum 900 hours) of actual schoolwork are completed. (CGS 10-16)
(cf. 5121 - Examination/Grading/Rating)
(cf. 6111 - School Calendar)
(cf. 6146.2 - Statewide Proficiency/Mastery Examinations)
(cf. 6172.6 - Virtual/On-line Courses)
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-14n Statewide mastery examination. Conditions for reexamination. Limitation on use of test results.
10-16(l) Graduation exercises. (As amended by PA 96-108, An Act Concerning Student Use of Telecommunication Devices and the Establishment of Graduation Dates)
10-221a High school graduation requirements. (As amended by P.A. 00-124, An Act Concerning High School Diplomas and Veterans of World War II, P.A. 00-156, An Act Requiring A Civics Course for High School Graduation, P.A. 08-138, An Act Concerning High School Credit for Private World Language Courses and Other Subject Areas, and P.A. 10-111, An Act Concerning Education Reform in Connecticut and PA 11-35 An Act Concerning Implementation Dates for Secondary School Reform.
10-233(a) Promotion and graduation policies. (as amended by PA 01-166)
Adopted: December 27, 1979
Revised: June 26, 1989
May 8, 2000
January 14, 2002
May 28, 2002
July 9, 2009
December 6, 2010
October 11, 2011
June 25, 2012
July 9, 2018
September 13, 2021
February 13, 2023