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Livingston High School

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Graduation Requirements as per NJDOE & Livingston Public Schools Home

High School Graduation Requirements as Per the NJDOE

 

While the above High School Graduation Requirements are those dictated as per the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for graduation, please consult with your school counselor and the LHS college counselor regarding your post-secondary program goals and specific requirements as the minimum graduation requirements may not fulfill those of a student’s personal post-secondary program.

 

Subject Area

Years 

Required

Credits Required

English Language Arts

4

At least 20 credits in English Language Arts aligned to grade nine through 12 standards.

Health & Physical Education

Every year of enrollment

At least 3 ¾ credits in Health, Safety, and Physical Education during each year of enrollment, distributed as 150 minutes per week, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 7 and 8.

Mathematics

3

At least 15 credits in mathematics, including Algebra 1 or the content equivalent; Geometry or the content equivalent; and a third year of mathematics that builds on the concepts and skills of Algebra and Geometry and that prepares students for college and 21st century careers.

Science

3

At least 15 credits in science, including at least five credits in laboratory Biology/Life Science or the content equivalent; one additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course, which shall include Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Physics; and one additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course. 

Social Studies

3

At least 15 credits in social studies, including satisfaction of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 2 and five credits in World History; and the integration of Civics, Economics, Geography and Global Content in all course offerings.

N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 2: Requires 2 years of US History in high schools including history of New Jersey and of African Americans.

21st Century Life and Careers

1

At least five credits in 21st Century Life and Careers or Career-Technical Education.

Visual and Performing Arts 

(Art/Music/Theatre)

1

At least five credits in Visual and Performing Arts.

World Languages

1

At least five credits in World Languages or student demonstration of proficiency through successful completion of assessments that verify student achievement in meeting or exceeding the NJSLS at the high school level.

Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy

½ 

At least 2.5 credits in financial, economic, business, and entrepreneurial literacy.

Technological Literacy

-

Technological Literacy, consistent with the NJSLS, integrated throughout the curriculum.

Graduation Assessment Requirement

As referenced on page 15 of this document, students must also complete assessments as specified below in order to be eligible for graduation.

Financial Aid Application Requirement

As outlined on page 14, starting with the Class of 2025, students/families must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application OR submit a Waiver form to LPS to meet this graduation requirement.

 

School districts may establish course and/or credit requirements that exceed the state minimums. 

Livingston High School requires 125 credits for graduation.

From LPS Policy #5460: “High School Graduation”

 

While the above High School Graduation Requirements are those dictated as per the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for graduation, please consult with your school counselor regarding your post-secondary program goals and specific requirements as the minimum graduation requirements may not fulfill those of a student’s personal post-secondary program.

 

As outlined in LPS Policy #5460, “In the development of Personalized Student Learning Plans according to N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.2(a), the district shall actively encourage all students who have otherwise met the requirements for high school graduation according to N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a) to continue to pursue rigorous, yet balanced, courseloads in accordance with their post-secondary aspirations which may include the following:

 

  • Five credits in mathematics during each year of enrollment, aimed at preparation for entrance into post-secondary programs or 21st century careers;
  • Five credits in a laboratory science during each year of enrollment, aimed at preparation for entrance into post-secondary programs or 21st century careers;
  • Five credits in social studies during each year of enrollment, aimed at preparation for entrance into post-secondary programs or 21st century careers;
  • Five credits in world languages during each year of enrollment, aimed at preparation for entrance into post-secondary programs or 21st century careers;
  • Five credits in the visual and performing arts during each year of enrollment, aimed at preparation for entrance into post-secondary programs or 21st century careers, and
  • Five credits in business and/or technology during each year of enrollment, aimed at preparation for entrance into post-secondary programs or 21st century careers.”

 

For more detailed information, please review the College Admission Requirement and Career Programs section of the LHS Course Guide as well as visit the LHS College Counseling and LPS Post-Secondary and Transition Support websites. 

 

 

New Jersey Graduation Requirements

 

New Jersey Department of Education

N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1

 

The Livingston Board of Education shall develop, adopt, and implement local graduation requirements, for a State-endorsed diploma, that prepare students for success in post-secondary programs, careers, and civic life in the 21st century according to N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a). 

 

The Livingston Board of Education certifies annually to the County Superintendent of Schools that each pupil who has been awarded a diploma has met the New Jersey State requirements for graduation, which shall include a minimum of 125 credit hours to meet all of the NJSLS, completion of all course requirements listed below, completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application or submission of a Waiver graduation requirement, passing scores on the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJGPA) in English Language Arts and Mathematics or competency demonstrated through assessments listed below, and satisfactory attendance according to the school’s attendance policy.


 

NJ Graduation Assessments

ELA and Math Assessment Requirements for Class of 2027 - 2030

Click here to see what the previous testing requirement has been.

 

This will be updated as soon as information is provided from the NJ Department of Education. 

 

For more information, please visit the NJDOE Website 

 

NJ Financial Aid Application Graduation Requirement

 

Under P.L.2023, c.295, to receive a high school diploma, a student in the graduating classes of 2025, 2026, or 2027 must:

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application, or
  • Be exempted from the requirement in accordance with procedures outlined in the law.

To be eligible to receive a high school diploma, all students in the Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or submit a waiver form. The FAFSA is a crucial step in ensuring that students have access to federal financial aid for their post-secondary education. For detailed information about this requirement, please refer to the official NJDOE broadcast available at the following link: New Graduation Requirement Reminder - Completing Financial Aid Applications.

 

 

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