Graduation Requirements

Nea's High Expectations

 

Nea's graduation requirements exceed the A - G requirements necessary for application to the University of California and Cal State University systems, combining Common Core academics with a variety of key skill-building experiences that help our graduates transition successfully into life beyond high school. These unique experiences include: a 20-hour career-related internship, completion of at least one college course, a Senior Project and Senior Portfolio, and application to at least one four-year university. Graduates must demonstrate proficiency in the Nea Learning to Learn Skills, including critical thinking and technological skills as well as personal, interpersonal and community competencies such as self-direction, communication, teamwork, service and leadership.  Seniors create and post a Learner Portfolio website documenting their achievements in these areas.

We want our graduates to have the option to fulfill their college dreams!

Academic Requirements

Satisfactory completion of Nea approved courses in high school curricula with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and no final semester grades of "D" or "F", in the following areas:

A. History/Social Studies (6 semesters)
Modern World History (10 credits)
U.S. History (10 credits)
American Government (5 credits)

Economics (5 credits)

B. English (8 semesters)

English 1/2/3/4 (40 credits)

C. Mathematics (8 semesters)
Algebra 1 (10 credits)
Geometry (10 credits)
Algebra 2 (10 credits)

One Additional Year (10 credits)

D. Science (6 semesters)
Physics (10 credits)
Biology (10 credits)

Chemistry (10 credits)

E.  Language other than English (6 sem's)

Three years of the same language at the high school level (20 credits)

F.  Visual and Performing Arts

2 Semesters (10 credits)

G.  College-preparatory elective

2 Semesters (10 credits)

Contemporary Community Citizenship

8 Semesters (4 credits)

Current Life Issues (1 Semester)

(5 credits)

Physical Education (4 Semesters)

(20 credits)

Additional Courses

as needed to reach 230 credits

Learner Led Conference

The LLC Presentation must include:

  1. A reflective essay providing evidence that the learner meets or exceeds the Nea Graduate Profile Standards (see below)
  2. A self-rating on all of the Nea Learning to Learn Rubrics and demonstration of understanding of these skills as they relate to their Personal Vision
  3. A one-page personal resume
  4. A personal vision with 20-year action plan
  5. 3-5 examples of the learner's best work during years at Nea, including one from a Nea math or science course and one from a Nea humanities course
  6. Documentation of the required internship experience

Additional Requirements

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the Nea Learning to Learn Skills (see below) as documented in the Learner Led Conference
  2. Meet or exceed the Nea Graduate Profile Standards (see below) as evidenced by the Learner ePortfolio
  3. Community Service--complete at least 20 hours of community service per high school year, including a purposeful Senior Project that involves or improves the community
  4. College-Level Coursework--complete at least one college course transferable to CSU/UC
  5. Internship Experience--complete and document at least 40 hours of internship experience in a career/professional setting

Nea Learning to Learn Skills

Time and Task Management
Reading, Writing, Research
Oral Communications
Effective Presentations
Individual Teamwork
Whole Team Performance Evaluation
Ownership of Community
Judicial System Interaction
Democratic Leadership
Teaching Others
Personal Visioning
Systems Thinking
Technology Skills

Nea Graduate Profile Standards

  1. Personal Qualities, Work Habits and Attitudes--Displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity and honesty.
  2. New Basics--Reads, writes; performs arithmetic and mathematical operations; listens and speaks; possesses historical, cultural, geographic, and economic understanding; understands variation and systems; thinks scientifically and applies mathematical techniques and scientific principles to life; values and appreciates the arts; and nurtures own health and well-being
  3. Thinking and Reasoning--Thinks creatively, makes decisions, solves problems, visualizes; knows how to learn and reason; analyzes and understands systems; uses data to form theories, applies knowledge to solve problems, improve systems.
  4. Interpersonal and Collaborative Ability--works well with others, cooperates.
  5. Technological Expertise--Works with a variety of technologies