Graduation Requirements


  • A student must earn a minimum of 23 credits to graduate.  Please note, it is not uncommon for college or university acceptance standards to be higher than the minimum credits required by the State of Massachusetts. Check with your school counselor to familiarize yourself with these standards.

    Minimum credits must include:
    • English: 4 Credits -- must include one credit of American Literature
    • Social Studies: 3 Credits  -- including one course in World History, Early American History and Modern American History                                                                                                
    • Foreign Language: 2 Credits -- must be in the same language                                                     
    • Mathematics: 3 Credits
    • Science: 3 Credits                                                                                                                            
    • Physical Education/Wellness: 1 Credit - must be taken each year
    • Fine and Unified Arts: 1 Credit
    • Electives: 6 Credits 

    Juniors and seniors are required to carry a minimum of 6 credits. Freshmen and sophomores are expected to carry 6.5 credits per year. 

     Grade Point Average and Class Rank 

    The grade point average (GPA) is a cumulative computation of a student’s academic standing. An official class decile rank is calculated each quarter based on the GPA. Students must complete four semesters (eight full terms) at Ashland High School to be given a decile rank. The class valedictorian and salutatorian will be determined by the final class rank upon completion of senior year. Students must complete their entire four years at Ashland High School to be valedictorian or salutatorian. Students who spend senior year as a dual enrollment student at a college or university will not be ranked with their class or be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian. The counseling department will compute an estimated GPA and class rank for transfer students for the purpose of college admissions.

     The GPA is computed using the following formula:

    • The weighted grade value of the final numerical grade of each course times the number of each credit of each course determines the GPA of each course.
    • The overall GPA is calculated by finding the sum of all individual weighted grade levels divided by the total credits of all courses (passed and failed).
     
    • The calculation of GPA includes only weighted courses at levels 1—4.
     
    •  In the event of a tie, the mathematical formula used in determining GPA will be carried out in decimal points to distinguish the class rank order.