Programs of Study

​​To graduate from Hershey High School, a student must successfully complete the below graduation requirements approved by the Hershey Board of School Directors.

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* Beginning with the class of 2023, students are required to demonstrate mastery for Algebra I, Biology, and Literature by scoring proficient or better on the Keystone Exams or complete another pathway approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  See Pathways toward Graduation information below. 

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​​Graduation is based on the successful completion of 25 credits distributed as follows:

• 4 credits in English

• 3 credits in Science; must pass Biology, enroll in Chemistry, and Physics

• 3 credits in Mathematics; must pass Algebra I

• 3 credits in Social Studies; enroll in American History, World History (or AP World History), and Civics

• 1.5 credits in Health (.25) /Physical Education (1) /Highway Safety (.25)

  • ​Enroll in Freshman Seminar (.25)

• .5 credit in Personal Financial Literacy (PFL) *pending board approval

• 2 credits in any combination of Arts, Humanities, Music, World Language

• 8.5 credits in electives from any department, may include World Language

• Keystone Exam Proficiency, per Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requirements, on Algebra I, Literature, and Biology Keystone Exams, effective with the Class of 2023, and beyond. Act 158 Graduation Requirements and Keystone Exams

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Note: Participation in commencement exercises is dependent upon earning all credits necessary for graduation (based on the standards established in the Educational Planning Guide) and Keystone proficiency (where applicable).

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Planning Course Credits

All Hershey High students must carry a minimum of:
7.0* credits in grade 9
7.0* credits in grades 10 

7.25* credits in grades 11
​6* credits in grade 12
(*Does not include Community Service, Classroom Assistant, Office Assistant, Marching Band, Jazz Band, etc.) 

Students may not carry/schedule more than 8 credits in a school year unless approved by the principal.

Hershey High School follows a 6-day cycle for science labs. 
1 credit courses meet daily for the full year
0.5 credit courses meet daily for a semester unless otherwise indicated
0.25 credit courses meet daily for a marking period unless otherwise indicated

Since graduation from high school is based upon accumulated credits (and the state proficiency requirements for Keystone Exams), the following is a minimum number of accumulated credits a student must earn in order to maintain satisfactory progress toward graduation in 4 years, and be promoted to the next grade level:

9th grade - 5.5 credits
10th grade - 12 credits
11th grade - 18.5 credits
12th grade - 25 credits

Students who do not meet the minimum number of credits are not promoted to the next grade.​

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​Click the button to see PDF "PA Graduation Pathways Graphic" and "Graduation Trail Student's Journey Graphic"

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​​New Entrants and Grade Recording

• It is our practice at Hershey High School to maintain separate transcripts for new entrants in order to ensure the most accurate reflection of a student’s grade and GPA records.

• Courses listed on a new entrant’s transcript will be reported on the student’s Hershey High School transcript under the name of the school at which the course was taken listing (a) courses, (b) either a “PA” for passed courses, or an “F” for failed courses, and (c) a coding of credits earned for each course.

• A copy of the new entrant’s transfer transcript will be sent, along with the Hershey High School transcript, as part of any records request.

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GPA Calculation

• A student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is a representation of all of his/her coursework completed while enrolled at Hershey High School. After completing a course at Hershey High School, a student earns a final grade, represented as a percentage. (Note: A chart outlining grade designations is provided in the student handbook under the “Grading” heading.) The GPA is calculated using a formula that includes the marking period grade or a final grade (depending on if it is a current GPA or a cumulative GPA), the credit value of the course, and the weight of the course (as noted in Hershey High School’s Educational Planning Guide). A current GPA appears on each report card and is a representation of that specific marking period’s work. A cumulative GPA appears on the transcript and is a representation of all completed coursework, as well as the portion of current coursework completed, to date.

• GPA Exclusions

  • Community Service (0.25 credit version) and “Assistant” opportunities (i.e., Classroom, Nursing Office, Office, Journalism, Technology) do count toward graduation credit, but they are not calculated in a student’s GPA (current or cumulative).

  • Courses that are retaken (when a passing grade was previously earned), taken in summer school, or taken on a “Pass/Fail” basis are not calculated in GPA (current or cumulative).

Grade Reporting Minimums

• Full Year Courses

  • 50% in Marking Period 1

  • 40% in Marking Period 2

  • No minimum in Marking Period 3 or 4

• Semester Courses

  • 50% in first marking period of the semester

  • No minimum in 2nd marking period of the semester

Final Course Grade Calculation

• Full Year Courses: each marking period is worth 22.5% and the final exam is worth 10%

• Semester Courses: each marking period is worth 45% and the final exam is worth 10%

• Marking Period Courses: the marking period is worth 90% and the final exam is worth 10%

Students are Not Ranked

• Hershey High School does not rank students. Following a year-long analysis of the value of ranking and its use in the college admissions process, Hershey High School determined that it was in the best interest of all of our students to eliminate class rank. Hershey High School is among a growing number of high performing high schools across the country which no longer report class rank. The practice of not ranking allows all of our students a competitive position in the college admissions process. 

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​​​Those students intending to participate in collegiate-level athletics are responsible to review and understand eligibility requirements as set forth by the NCAA relating to minimum academic standards. These standards require completion of certain courses in order to be eligible for consideration by a college or university. Information can be found through the NCAA Eligibility Center at http://www.ncaa.org. Specific Hershey High School courses currently listed by the NCAA as meeting their requirements are noted in this guide as "NCAA accepted". Students/parents need to research requirements prior to scheduling courses each year.

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NCAA Approved Courses at HHS

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The Advanced Placement Program (AP) allows students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Students experience a rigorous curriculum prepared by CollegeBoard AP and have the chance to earn credit, placement, or both for college. Students who wish to take AP courses must satisfactorily complete all prerequisites and receive the recommendation of the present level teacher. Students are encouraged to take honors level courses in order to prepare for Advanced Placement courses and to carefully review the course descriptions and prerequisites as outlined in the educational planning guide.

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Although college entrance requirements vary, most colleges require four years of English, three years of social studies, at least three years of mathematics, two years of laboratory science (at least three years of science overall) and two years of a world language. Since colleges are so varied in their requirements, students should carefully research admissions requirements for the college(s) of their choice.

Colleges/universities may give special consideration to students who exceed the minimum credit requirements. Thus students with four credits in math, science, and world language may be given priority over students who only meet the minimum requirements.

Most colleges require prospective students to take either the SAT or ACT college entrance examinations. Information booklets and application forms are available in the counseling office. Online registration is required for these tests and can be found at http://satcollegeboard.org/home for the SAT and http://actstudent.org for the ACT. Testing dates for the SAT at Hershey High School can be  found on the school’s online calendar found on the district website. Students are encouraged to research both entrance exams and register online well in advance of the registration deadline(s).

The website FairTest.org has more information about colleges for which the SAT/ACT may not be required for admissions.

​It is each student's personal responsibility to plan as strong a program as possible. 

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