Requirements

Symbols used to identify courses:

Graduation Requirement Designation

Designates Graduation Required Course

Graduation Requirements

STEM Designation

STEM

At least 50% of the academic standards taught and/or assessed in the written curriculum include:

  • Common Core Math
  • NGSS
  • ITEEA
  • CSDE CTE Technology Education
    • Domains include: Automotive Technology, CADD, Digital Video Production Systems, Engineering Technology and Wood Technology.
  • National Core Arts Standards
    • Strands include: Mustic Technology

Humanities Designation

Humanities Course

At least 50% of the academic standards taught and/or assessed in the written curriculum include: 

  • Common Core English Language Arts
  • Common Core History/Social Studies
  • ACTFL World Readiness Standards
  • CSDE Social Studies
    • Domains include: Civics, Economics, Geography and History
  • CSDE CTE Business Management
    • Domains include: Business Law and Economics
  • National Core Arts Standards
    • Strands include: Composition and Theory, K-12 Media Arts, Visual Arts

NCAA

indication of NCAA approved courses

UCONN Early College Experience

Indication of UCONN ECE Class

Credit Requirements


 

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Both a Weighted GPA and an Unweighted GPA will be calculated each trimester and reported on the transcript. Our school profile, which is submitted to colleges and universities annually, will have a detailed explanation of our grading system, including Weighted GPA and Unweighted GPA. (The profile is available from the DHHS website). Please visit https://www.madison.k12.ct.us/daniel-hand-high-school/general-info/grading for examples of how to calculate Weighted and Unweighted Grade Point Averages.

Unweighted GPA

Unweighted GPA is calculated using all courses (grades 9-12) without regard to level. No additional weighting or points are added for Honors or Advanced Placement courses. A four-point scale (4.0) is used. See chart below.

GRADE GPA ALL LEVELS
A+ 4.33
A 4.00
A- 3.67
B+ 3.33
B 3.00
B- 2.67
C+ 2.33
C 2.00
C- 1.67
D 1.00
F 0.00

 

Weighted GPA

Weighted GPA is calculated using leveled courses taken in grades 10-12. Freshman courses are not included. The philosophy of DHHS is that freshman year is a transition during which there is significant social, emotional, and academic growth.  Weighted GPA is determined by the grade earned and the level designation of the course. A four-point scale (4.0) is used. See chart below.

Grade Point by Level
Grade 1 2 3
A+ 5.33 4.33 3.33
A 5.00 4.00 3.00
A- 4.67 3.67 2.67
B+ 4.33 3.33 2.33
B- 3.67 2.67 1.67
C+ 3.33 2.33 1.33
C 3.00 2.00 1.00
C- 2.67 1.67 0.67
D 2.00 1.00 .33
F 0.00 0.00 0.00
       

 

Rank in Class

Rank in class is calculated using the Weighted GPA. The class rank, or decile, for a graduating student will not be officially reported on the student’s academic transcript. Daniel Hand High School will calculate rank for the purpose of determining which students are eligible for Senior Honors and for some scholarships and awards. 

Senior Honors are defined as the top ten ranking positions in the class for honors recognition and shall include the class valedictorian, salutatorian, class essayist, and senior scholars. If Daniel Hand High School has more than one student qualifying for top honors, the students tying for valedictorian honors will be named co-valedictorians. The next recipient will be named salutatorian followed by the class essayist. Final Senior Honors Rank will be based upon six trimesters, beginning sophomore year, plus the first and second trimesters of the student's senior year.  An official Senior Honors Rank will be provided to candidates during the third trimester of their senior year. 

For students who have not been at Daniel Hand long enough for a Senior Honors Rank calculation, a Rank in Class is calculated for the purpose of determining eligibility for some scholarships and awards.  Transfer students should see their school counselor for additional information.

Rank in class is governed under Board of Education policy #5128.  If a situation exists which is not covered by this policy, it will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the School Counseling Department and the building principal.
 

Honor Roll

The purpose of the honor roll at DHHS is to recognize strong academic performance and to encourage all students to maintain consistently high performance in all subjects. All courses will be included in the honors calculations. No student may maintain honor status with any grade lower than a C+. The following standards have been established based on the trimester grades.

High Honors:    Unweighted GPA of 3.83 or higher

Honors:    Unweighted GPA of 3.16 to 3.82