Departments

Washington Township High School prides itself on the rich and varied offerings comprising its instructional program.  

With nearly 2,800 students, our high school strives to provide diverse opportunities reflective of our students’ instructional needs and interests.  Instruction in the core subjects is complemented by a broad array of offerings in the visual, practical and performing arts.  The program of studies allows students the opportunity not only to meet state and district graduation requirements as listed below, but to gain a balanced educational experience intended to prepare them for post secondary education and to assume a meaningful career as they enter adulthood.

Graduation: Curriculum Requirements

A graduating pupil must have earned a minimum of 120 credits designed to meet all of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, including the infusion of 21st Century skills across all content areas, and must have successfully completed the following program of study:

1. Twenty (20) credits in language arts literacy:
2. Three years (a minimum of 15 credits) of mathematics, including Algebra 1, effective with the 2008-09 ninth grade class;  Geometry, beginning with the 2010-11 ninth grade class; and a third year of math that builds upon these two courses, beginning with incoming freshmen in 2012-13;
3.  Fifteen (15) credits in social studies including United States and New Jersey history and civics as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 35-2;
4. Three years (a minimum of 15 credits) of lab science, including Biology, effective with the 2008-09 ninth grade class; a choice among Chemistry, Physics or Environmental Science, beginning with incoming freshmen in 2010-11; and a third inquiry-based lab or technical science, beginning with incoming freshmen in 2012-13;
5. Three and three-quarters (3 ¾) credits in physical education, health, and safety during each year of enrollment, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 7 and 8 distributed as at least one hundred fifty minutes per week;
6. One half-year/semester (2.5 credits) of economics and financial literacy, beginning with incoming freshmen in 2010-11;
7. At least five (5) credits in World Languages or student demonstration of proficiency;
8. At least five (5) credits in visual and performing arts;
9. At least five (5) credits in Career Education and Consumer, Family and Life Skills or Vocational Technical Education;
10. Technological literacy, consistent with the Core Curriculum Content Standards, integrated throughout the curriculum; and
11. Electives as determined by the high school program sufficient to total a minimum of 120 credits.

A credit is defined as the equivalent of a class period of instruction which meets for a minimum of forty minutes one time per week during the school year.

Graduation: State Proficiency Test Requirements

Additionally, in order to obtain a diploma in the State of New Jersey, a student must take and pass all sections of the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA11).  This state mandated test, which made its debut in March 2002, is administered to all 11th graders.  The HSPA is comprised of a Language Arts Literacy section and a Mathematics section.  Both sections of the test require the students to demonstrate effective reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, as well as proficiency in the knowledge and skills outlined in the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for each specific tested subject area.  Students who do not pass a section of the failed section(s) at the end of the Junior year, will be required to retake the test again in the Fall and Spring of their Senior year until such time that the student demonstrates proficiency in both sections of the HSPA.

Course Selection Guide

Information, descriptions, and pre-requisites for specific courses offered by each department can be found in the High School Course Selection Guide.