Students may graduate from the Gloucester County Vocational-Technical School District when they have acquired a minimum of 110 credits and meet all graduation requirements in accordance with N.J.A.C.6A:8-5.1.

 

New Jersey State Required Courses to Graduate

• 5 credits of World History

• 5 credits of Visual and Performing Arts

• 10 credits of U.S. History

• 5 credits of World Language

• 15 credits of Science

• 15 credits of Mathematics

• 4 years of P.E./Health

• 20 credits of English

• 5 credits of Career Education and Consumer, Family, and Life Skills, Vocational-Technical Education

• Pass the HSPA (New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment) administered in the spring of the junior year

 

Note: Students who desire a career specialization-endorsed diploma will be required to acquire a minimum of 155 credits, meet all graduation requirements in accordance with N.J.A.C.6A:8-5.1, complete all requirements for career specialization, successfully complete all four years of the mandated career major specialization course work, and earn additional elective credits as outlined in the Curriculum Guide.

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS – OPTION II

 

Option II establishes alternate pathways for students of the District to satisfy requirements for high school graduation and meet the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards in accord with New Jersey Administrative Code [N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)l ii].

 

The purpose of Option II is to provide educational experiences that are meaningful and relevant, and that provide students with opportunities to explore and achieve at high levels. In order to maximize student achievement and meet diverse pathways for learning, Option II permits students to employ alternative learning experiences that are stimulating and intellectually challenging, and that enable students to fulfill or exceed the expectations set forth in the Core Curriculum Content Standards.

 

Employment of Option II may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following alternatives: student exchange programs, interdisciplinary or theme-based programs, independent study, internships, community service, accredited college coursework, concurrent enrollment at the Gloucester County College, meaningful research, and structured learning experiences.

 

Option II alternatives requested by eligible students must meet or exceed the proficiencies established by the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards, receive prior approval by the principal and/or the Option II Review Committee, and demonstrate satisfactory performance as measured by District approved competency assessment instruments in order for credits to be awarded.

It is understood that participation in Option II alternative experiences is voluntary. Students may fulfill the requirements for graduation by pursuing credits earned through the traditional classroom environment (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1), through alternative learning experiences availed by Option II [N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)l ii], or through a combination of both programs. However, approved transportation, personal safety and well being, specialized equipment, and any and all costs not otherwise provided by the school.

 

Memorandum of Understanding for New Jersey Scholars- part of the Learn More, Do More, Earn More Student Credentialing System

 

The Learn More, Do More, Earn More (LDE) initiative is a credentialing system for middle and high school students consisting of four programs that promote / reward:

 

Academic rigor – with New Jersey Scholars

Sequence of Courses: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, four years of college-prep English, two years of one World Language, three years of Social Studies, one semester of Economics (njscholars.org)

 

IMP I, IMP II, IMP III, and Applied Physics are approved courses to fulfill the New Jersey Scholars requirement.

 

NJ STARS

NJ STARS is an initiative created by the State of New Jersey to provide access to higher education to some of the State’s highest achieving students.

 

• Students who graduated in the top 20% of their high school class may be eligible to receive up to 5 semesters of tuition (up to 15 credits per term) and approved fees free of charge at their local county college.

 

NJ STARS II will allow any community college NJ STARS student who earns an associate’s degree and maintains a 3.0 grade point average or higher to transfer to a New Jersey public four-year college or university. NJ STARS II provides up to a $5,000 per year scholarship. The remaining balance of tuition and approved fees during the junior and senior years is covered by the participating institutions.

 

Under NJ STARS II, community college credits are fully transferable, allowing students to begin at the four-year institution as juniors. Students will also be able to receive any other State and Federal need-based grants and merit scholarships to which they are entitled.