The Quincy School Committee will vote on the following revision of Policy 9.11.5 (including the reinstatement of the Community Service Graduation Requirement) at the October 12, 2022 Regular Meeting. Please submit comments about the proposed policy revision to School Committee Clerk Laura Owens at: [email protected]
HIGH SCHOOL PROMOTION and GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS – File 9.11.5
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To earn a Quincy Public Schools diploma and participate in high school graduation ceremonies, students must have completed all graduation requirements:
- as defined in the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Regulations of the State Board of Education (including the competency determination levels in the English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science/Technology portions of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System)
- points and required subjects as determined by the Quincy School Committee.
- Certified special education students who, in the judgment of the principal, have completed the objectives as set forth in their individual educational plans will be granted a Certificate of Attainment.
FINAL DAY OF CLASSES FOR SENIORS IN GOOD STANDING
Having satisfactorily completed all academic requirements for graduation as well as having fulfilled all administrative requirements and personal obligations to the school, individual seniors who are in good standing may be released after the 165th day of the school year.
ACADEMIC CREDITS
1. The term "points" reflects academic credit issued for the amount of work normally covered in assigned classes that meet regularly for a year or portion thereof. A proportional number of credits may be issued to reflect the intensity of a course or for a course meeting less or more time than the five point courses.
2. Physical Education is a required subject each school year through Grade 12 under MGL 71:3.
3. A principal has discretion to award quarter, half, or three-quarter credit for partial completion of course requirements.
4. Full year courses may be taken by semester at half the point value stated for the year upon approval of the principal and when possible to schedule.
5. Students who successfully complete Summer School or other alternative program courses may be awarded promotional/graduation credits by the high school principal. Prior approval for participation in those courses must be given by the high school principal or designee.
6. Requirements for Career Vocational and Technical Certification: All students who successfully complete their course of study will receive a High School Diploma and a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency. Any student, with significant absences, including suspensions, cannot accrue the necessary shop hours and related instruction to be eligible for a Technical Certificate.
Students must earn a passing grade in:
- 4 years of English
- 4 years of Social Studies
- 3 years of Science
- 3 years of Mathematics*
- 2 years of World Language
- 4 years of Physical Education***
* Mathematics - Fifteen (15) points required in mathematics. Ten (10) of the fifteen (15) points in mathematics are to come from the Mathematics Program of Studies. The additional five (5) points may come from mathematics or accounting/personal finance courses. Students are encouraged to take computer science courses; however, these courses may be taken only in addition to the fifteen (15) points required in mathematics.
** ROTC credits include Physical Education requirement credits
At North Quincy High School, students are required to earn 100 points to graduate and must meet the additional requirements listed below. The promotional requirements for all students at North Quincy High School are:
- to enter Grade 10, students must have earned 20 points
- to enter Grade 11, students must have earned 45 points
- to enter Grade 12, students must have earned 70 points.
At Quincy High School, students are required to earn 120 points to graduate and must meet the additional requirements listed below. The promotional requirements for all students at Quincy High School are:
- to enter Grade 10, students must have earned 25 points
- to enter Grade 11, students must have earned 50 points
- to enter Grade 12, students must have earned 85 points.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Community service is an opportunity for students to make a difference in their community through volunteer activities and is a Quincy Public Schools Graduation Requirement. Community service affords students the opportunity to become active citizens, experience personal growth, and develop social and practical skills.
- The Community Service graduation requirement was suspended for the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022 school years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All high school students were credited with 10 hours for each of those school years.
- The Class of 2023 (Current Grade 12) has been given full credit for Community Service.
- The Class of 2024 (Current Grade 11) should complete at least 10 hours of approved community service activities by June 1, 2023.
- The Class of 2025 (Current Grade 10) should complete at least 10 hours of approved community service activities by June 1, 2023 and another 10 hours by June 1, 2024.
- All students entering Grade 9 in or after the 2022-2023 school year must complete at least 10 hours of approved community service activities in each year of grades 9, 10, 11 for a total of at least 30 hours by the end of Grade 11.
- Students can begin earning community service hours during the summer prior to entering each grade.
- Community service hours for each year must be completed by June 1 of that school year.
- Grade 12 students must have completed all hours by the beginning of that school year unless they have made prior arrangements.
- Students who enter Quincy Public Schools after grade 9 will have their Community Service requirement pro-rated for the number of years they attend high school.
- All community service activities must be approved by the high school Community Service Coordinators. A list of pre-approved community service options are available on the Quincy Public Schools website; students must seek approval for all community service activities not already listed on the website.
Revised: September 2022; November 2009; January 2003
Current practice codified 1990
Adopted: June 5, 1985