NPS Graduation Requirements

Credit Requirements for Graduation

Norwalk Public Schools requires that students fulfill the following requirements in order to graduate. Students must complete credit requirements.

Class of 2026, 2027, 2028 & 2029 — (25 credit requirement) 

Humanities (English, Social Studies, Fine Arts, World Languages) — 10.0 Total

• 4.0 English 
• 1.5 Social Studies (1.0 World History recommended)
• 1.0 US History 
• 0.5 Civics (or American Government or Constitution)
• 1.0 Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theatre, Dance) 
• 2.0 World Languages 

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) — 9.0 Total

• 4.0 Math (may include Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Statistics, or other math courses)
• 1.0 Biology/Life Science (lab) 
• 1.0 Chemistry/Physical Science/Earth Science (lab) 
• 1.0 Other Science  
• 2.0 STEM Related Course (including 0.5 Digital Literacy Requirement*)

Physical Education and Wellness; Health and Safety — 2.0 Total

• 1.0 Physical Education
• 1.0 Health and Safety

Related Courses — 4.0 Total 

• 4.0 Pathway Related Courses (including 0.5 Financial Literacy Requirement for Class of 2027+*)
• This section may include the Capstone Experience.

Digital Literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share, and create content using information technologies and the internet. Students must complete at least 0.5 credit in one of the following courses to demonstrate proficiency in Digital Literacy prior to graduation.

• Business: Computer Applications, Web Page Design, Computer Construction and Repair, Honors Computer Construction and Repair 2, CISCO Networking 1, Honors CISCO Networking 2, Honors Computer Science Essentials (PLTW), Honors Computer Science Principles (PLTW) & Video Game Design. CompTIA Fundamental, CompTIA Core 1, CompTIA Core 2.
• Computer Science: Computer Science 1, Computer Science 2, Exploring Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, Introduction to Java, Software Design and Integration 1 & Conceptual Engineering Milestones, Cybersecurity, Optics
• Engineering (Science): Computer Applications for Marine Science Studies, All Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Courses not including those in the MHA; or another approved course.
• PLTW: CompTIA IT Fundamentals, CompTIA Core 1, CompTIA Core 2 & IT Internship
• CT State Norwalk:  GRA 151 - Graphic Design I: Skills and Principles, NCC GRA 252 - Graphic Design II: Process and Presentation, NCC GRA 231 - Digital Imaging: Adobe Photoshop,  NCC GRA 241 - Digital Page Design: Adobe InDesign, & All CT State Norwalk CST and CSC course

Financial Literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal finance management, budgeting, and investing. Students in the Class of 2027 and beyond must complete at least 0.5 credit in one of the following courses to demonstrate proficiency in Financial Literacy prior to graduation.

• Business: Principles of Personal Finance, Personal Finance, Principles of Financial Literacy, Financial Literacy, Principles of Investing, Money Wise- Future Ready
• Math:  Money Math, Financial Math

Credit System 

All subjects at the high school level are assigned units of credit values based on the Carnegie Unit System. The number of class sessions and the amount of preparation necessary to achieve a satisfactory standard of performance determine these values. They are equivalent to those assigned by other secondary schools. Every course taken in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 becomes part of the student’s official high school record. This record of credits and grades earned determines a student’s average, rank in class, and qualifications for graduation. 

Starting with the Class of 2023, students successfully completing Algebra 1, Geometry and/or World Languages in grade 8, will count towards the high school graduation requirement. However, courses completed in middle school are not included in the high school cumulative grade point average.

Grading Procedures

This chart shows the letter grades and how grade point averages (GPA) are calculated for academic performance in Advanced Placement, IB, and honors classes.

Grade	Value	Unit Weight	Honors	AP/IB
A	(93-100)	4.00	4.50	5.00
A-	(90-92)	3.70	4.20	4.70
B+	(87-89)	3.30	3.80	4.30
B	(83-86)	3.00	3.50	4.00
B-	(80-82)	2.70	3.20	3.70
C+	(77-79)	2.30	2.80	3.30
C	(73-76)	2.00	2.50	3.00
C-	(70-72)	1.70	2.20	2.70
D+	(67-69)	1.30	1.80	2.30
D	(63-66)	1.00	1.50	2.00
D-	(60-62)	0.70	1.20	1.70
F	(0-59)	0.00	0.00	0.00

Example

Course	Grade	GPA
EN0036GAE5 English 3	B+	3.30
EN0039HAE5 Honors English 3	B+	3.80
EN0040ACE5 AP/IB English Language	B+	4.30

 

Capstone Experience

All students may complete a Capstone Experience, which will result in one (1) related course credit. This experience is a culmination of a student's learning in a particular area over the course of three or four years. Students can select specific courses, academic programs, and learning opportunities that align with their interests. NPS graduates connect learning to a real-world application while developing the attributes needed for success after high school.  

General Overview 

The Capstone is a culminating experience that provides students with the opportunity to:

• independently develop essential skills and knowledge in an area of talent or interest.
• demonstrate learning, growth, and progress toward proficiency or mastery through a public presentation of a selected genre of study (problem-solving, internship, research-based, creative/performance).
• earn one credit (pass/fail) for high school graduation.

Each Capstone must include the following required components:

• Proposal
  • Find Your Passions activity available to brainstorm areas of focus for the Capstone project.
  • Submit proposal for Capstone project
• Ongoing Reflection
  • 3-5 required reflections (can be done in writing, video journaling, voice memos, etc)
  • Periodic Advisor check-ins for progress and completion
• Research & Product
  • Can include, but is not limited to one of the following:
    • internship with specific evidence (mentor will provide examples); research paper (ethnography, oral history, lab-based research, etc), performance or exhibition (music, dance, art, film, theatre); creative writing (fiction, creative nonfiction, stage or film scripts, poetry collection); event or showcase dedicated to solving a problem (community service event, STEM-based prototype, design prototype or model, economic model).
  • Products evaluated by Capstone advisors
• Exhibition/Presentation
  • Modes of presentation with scoring (Audience of peers, parent/guardian, and/or faculty)
  • Includes portfolio containing all of the components of the Capstone Experience