GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

            In order to satisfy the high school graduation requirements within Meriden Public Schools, a student must have satisfactorily completed the prescribed courses of study; demonstrated proficiency in basic skills identified by the Meriden Board of Education (the “Board”); satisfied the legally mandated number and distribution of credits required to graduate from high school; and if graduating in 2025 and thereafter, satisfied the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”) requirements detailed below.

Required Coursework and Credits for Graduation

            The Board conforms with state law regarding credits for graduation from high school.

Classes Graduating in 2024, 2025, and 2026

            For classes graduating in 2024, 2025, and 2026, the following 25 credits are required:

Classes Graduating in 2027 and Thereafter 

            For classes graduating in 2027 and thereafter, the following 25 credits are required:

A student who presents written documentation from a physician or advanced practice registered nurse stating that participation in physical education is not advisable because of the physical condition of the student, shall be excused from the physical education requirement.  In such a case, another subject must be substituted.

Any student who is deaf or hearing impaired may be exempted from any world language graduation requirement if the student’s parent or guardian requests such exemption in writing. 

A credit is defined as the equivalent of one forty (40) minute class period for each school day of a school year.  One-half credit is granted for a course with a forty (40) minute class period each school day for one semester or ninety (90) days.  

Only courses taken in grades nine to twelve inclusive, and that are in accordance with the state-wide subject matter content standards, adopted by the State Board of Education, shall satisfy the above graduation requirements, except that the Board will grant a student credit: 

High school graduation credit will be granted to students upon the successful demonstration of mastery of subject matter achieved through educational experiences and opportunities that provide flexible and multiple pathways to learning, including:

• Cross-curricular graduation requirements,
• Career and technical education,
• Virtual learning,
• Work-based learning,
• Service learning,
• Dual enrollment and early college
• Courses taken in middle school, and
• Internships and student-designed independent studies;

Provided that such demonstration of mastery is in accordance with such state-wide subject matter content standards.  

Demonstration of Proficiency in Basic Skills 

In addition to meeting the coursework and credit graduation requirements listed above, to graduate high school, each student must demonstrate proficiency in the basic skills.

For each tested area not mastered on the PSATs, students must demonstrate success in one of the following indicators in the core content area:

PSAT grade 10 or 11 in fall or spring testing:

   PSAT EBRW = 360 scale score

   PSAT Math = 370 scale score  

SAT spring grade 11:

   PSAT EBRW = 380 scale score

   PSAT Math = 390 scale score  

Minimum 2.33 GPA

C or higher in one ECE or AP course 

ACT score of 15 or higher (was 17)

Accuplacer standard score of 88 or higher

Successful completion of a Personalized Learning Experience (PLE) in senior year

Passing grade on alternative assignment

Students may demonstrate proficiency in the basic skills described above by achieving satisfactory results on the following:

Course Loads

Students are required to carry a minimum of six course units yearly; however, senior students may request a waiver from the school principal if they document active participation in approved college and career readiness activities. 

Generally, students are expected to satisfy the graduation requirements listed in this policy in grades nine through twelve, inclusive. However, a student may receive credit for courses successfully completed in grades seven or eight of any course, the primary focus of which corresponds directly to the subject matter of a specified course requirement in grades nine through twelve, inclusive. Additionally, a student may receive credit towards the high school graduation requirement for the successful completion of a World Language Course with a grade of 60 or better completed in grades six, seven, or eight.

Students may also receive credit through pre-approved online coursework or for coursework offered through a non-profit provider, provided the student achieves a passing grade on an examination prescribed by the Commissioner of Education for up to four units.  Students may also earn units toward reaching a graduation requirement by passing a proficiency examination approved by the Commissioner of Education or upon successful completion of coursework at an accredited institution of higher education.

The school principal may waive up to one unit of study in any given year for a student when warranted because of academic or family hardship circumstances.

Transfer Credit

Only transfer credits earned from high schools accredited by their state accrediting agencies will be accepted in fulfillment of the required units except as described above.

Prior approval from the principal is necessary to pursue transfer credit/credit opportunities from accredited institutions other than high school, except as described above.

Attendance Requirements

Students eligible to receive a high school diploma and participate in a graduation ceremony must have attended a Meriden high school for the full and final semester before graduation. Exceptions from this policy may be made by the Superintendent after reviewing special cases with the high school administration.

Academic Advancement Program

Notwithstanding the graduation requirements in this policy, students shall be permitted to graduate from high school upon the successful completion of the academic advancement program established by the State Board of Education.

FAFSA Requirement for Classes Graduating in 2025 and Thereafter 

Students graduating in 2025 and beyond are required to have satisfied one of the following prior to graduation:

• completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”);
• for students without legal immigration status, completed and submitted to a public institution of higher education an application for institutional financial aid; or
• completed a waiver of completion of the FAFSA and/or financial aid application, as applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education, signed by the student’s parent or guardian or signed by the student if the student is eighteen or older.

On and after March 15 of each school year, a principal, school counselor, teacher, or other certified educator may complete the waiver on behalf of any student who has not satisfied the above requirements if such principal, school counselor, teacher, or other certified educator affirms that they have made a good faith effort to contact the parent/guardian or student about completion of such applications. 

Graduation During Period of Expulsion

A student may graduate during an expulsion period if the Board determines that the student has completed the necessary credits required for graduation.

Legal References:

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-14n

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-16b

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221a

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-223a

Public Act No. 23-21, “An Act Concerning Financial Literacy Instruction”

Public Act No. 23-204, “An Act Concerning the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2025, and Making Appropriations Therefor, and Provisions Related to Revenue and Other Items Implementing the State Budget”

Public Act No. 23-167, “An Act Concerning Transparency in Education”

Approved: September 4, 1984

Amended: May 3, 1994

Amended: June 1, 1999

Amended: March 19, 2002

Amended: December 16, 2003

Amended: March 6, 2007

Amended: February 2, 2010

Amended: February 7, 2012

Amended: April 28, 2015

Amended: June 7, 2016

Reviewed and no changes made: December 6, 2016

Amended: May 16, 2017

Amended: September 1, 2020

Amended:  March 19, 2024

 Previous Policy Numbers: 6146 (Moved from Instruction) and HK6