GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Starting in the 2009-2010 school year, FHS converted to “Carnegie Units” for course credit. A “Carnegie Unit” was developed in 1906 (coincidentally the same year that the high school began operation) as a measure of the amount of time a student has studied a subject. It is considered a “standard unit” among colleges. A full year course is 1 unit and a semester based course is .5 units.
In order to graduate from Fairhaven High School, students are required to earn a minimum of 21 units (22 units beginning with the Class of 2015). Students must also satisfy the requirements of competency determination on the English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science MCAS tests, in order to receive a diploma.
All students must enroll in and pass the following subjects as a fulfillment of the graduation requirements:
|
Discipline |
Units |
|
English |
4 |
|
Mathematics(must complete the study of Alg 1, Geo & Alg 2) |
3 (4 beginning with Class of 2015) |
|
History (includes U.S. Part 2) |
3 |
|
Science |
3 |
|
World Language (beginning with YOG 2013) |
2 |
|
Health/Phys. Ed. (includes Core PE and Core Health) |
1.5 |
|
Media/Visual/Performing/Arts |
1.5 |
All students are expected to carry a full course load. There are waiverable circumstances for a reduced course load or a change in unit requirements. Students and parents should consult guidance counselors for these situations. All waivers must be approved by the principal. Seniors must carry a schedule with a minimum of 3 core courses and must pass a minimum of 4 units to meet the graduation requirement.