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Graduation Requirements/Grading

As mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education and the Paterson School District, the following requirements must be successfully met in order to receive a diploma.

  • 4 years of English

  • 4 years of Physical Education

  • 4 years of Health

  • 3 years of Mathematics

  • 3 years of Science

  • 2 years of United States History

  • 1 year of World History/Cultures

  • 2 years of Fine/Practical Arts

  • ½ year of Careers

  • ½ year of Personal Finance/Economics

  • 125 credits of coursework successfully completed and a passing mark on a proficiency assessment

Grading:  The grading system approved for our high school is as follows:

  • Each Marking Period grade stands alone with each having a value of 20% of the final grade.

  • The mid-term and final exam grades stand alone each with a value of 10% of the final grade.

  • Letter grades will be used on report cards using the following numerical scale. As the district implements a new grading scheme over the next few years, note that the passing grade of 63 will increase to 67 and then to 70. The following chart is for the 2022/2023 school year.

Marking Period Grade

Numerical Value

Weighted Value

Honors, Dual Enrollment Weighted Value

Advanced Placement Weighted Value

A+

96-100

4.33

4.67

5.00

A

92-95

4.00

4.33

4.67

A-

90-91

3.67

4.00

4.33

B+

86-89

3.33

3.67

4.00

B

82-85

3.00

3.33

3.67

B-

80-81

2.67

3.00

3.33

C+

76-79

2.33

2.67

3.00

C

72-75

2.00

2.33

2.67

C-

70-71

1.67

2.00

2.33

D+

67-69

1.33

1.67

2.00

D

63-66

1.00

1.33

1.67

F

0-62

0.00

0.00

0.00

I

Incomplete

n/a

n/a

n/a

NG

No Grade

n/a

n/a

n/a

P

Passing

n/a

n/a

n/a

W

Withdrawal

n/a

n/a

n/a

 

Principal's Honor Roll: All A's

Regular Honor Roll : All A's and B's with only one C permitted (provided the C is balanced by an A in a subject of equal or greater credit value.)

Class rank is computed as recommended by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

By Credits

The graduation assessment requirements for the classes of 2024 and 2025 will remain in place.

PPS Graduation Eligibility: New Jersey State Minimum Graduation Requirements by Content Area 120 credits (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1)

English Language Arts - 20 credits 

Mathematics - 15 credits including:

  • Algebra 1 or content equivalent
  • Geometry or content equivalent
  • Third year of math that builds on the concepts and skills of algebra and geometry and prepares students for college and 21st century careers

Science - 15 credits with at least 5 credits in each: 

  • Laboratory biology/life science or the content equivalent∙
  • Laboratory/inquiry-based science course (i.e., chemistry, environmental science, or physics)∙
  • Laboratory/inquiry-based science course

Social Studies - 15 credits including:∙

  • 5 credits in world history
  • Integration of civics, economics, geography and global content in all course offerings

Health, Safety, and Physical Education - 15 credits over four years including:

  • 3 ¾ credits in health, safety, and physical education during each year of enrollment, distributed as 150 minutes per week each year

Financial, Economic Business, and Entrepreneurial Business Literacy - 2.5 credits

Visual and Performing Arts - 5 credits

World Languages - 5 credits

Technology - Integrated throughout all courses

21st Century Life and Careers - 5 credits

 

High School Credits  - Students should complete:                                         

  • 35 credits by the end of 9th Grade, freshman year
  • 70 credits by the end of 10th Grade, sophomore year
  • 105 credits by the end of 11th Grade, junior year
  • 125 credits by the end of 12th Grade, senior year

Students must earn 125 credits for a High School Diploma