Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation, high school students must accumulate at least 22 course credits. However, this number is only a minimum. Courses that meet daily for a full year earn one credit. Courses that meet every other day for a full year or every day for one semester earn one half credit. Every student must be enrolled in 6 credits each semester per year.

Of the 22 credits required for graduation, students must complete the following core distribution:

Although not required for graduation, students are strongly encouraged to study a World Language. Most four year colleges require a minimum of two years in the same language; more selective colleges may require 3 or 4 years in the same language.

Additional requirements include the completion of a 40 hour Community Service Project and Passing grades on theEnglish, Math and Science sections of the MCAS test. Ninth graders take the Introductory Physic Science MCAS in the spring. Tenth graders take the English and Math MCAS in the spring. Students who fail any of these tests will repeat the individual test in grades 10, 11 and/or 12 until they receive a passing grade. In addition, any student who receives a Needs Improvement in English or Math will be placed on an EPP (an efficiency plan) that will require four years of English or Math as well as a passing grade in the course and final exam.

The Bromfield School does not rank its students because of its size, academic rigor and its college preparatory orientation.

Post-Secondary Institution Entrance Requirements
Most colleges suggest that you take a challenging and well-rounded academic program. The more selective the college or university is the more demanding the entrance requirements. Selective colleges prefer that students have four years of study in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and World Language. Students should always check with the college for the most up to date requirements and information.

An important rule to follow is: keep all your options open-if you are uncertain about your long range goals, follow abroad general program of study which will prepare you for almost any college major.

Massachusetts State Universities & UMass Minimum Admissions Standards
The admissions standards for the state universities and UMass emphasize a strong academic high school background so that students enter college ready to learn. These standards represent minimum requirements; meeting them does not guarantee admission since campus officials consider a wide range of factors in admissions decisions. Students shall have fulfilled all requirements for the high school diploma or its equivalent upon enrollment. It is important to note that admissions standards for the state’s Community Colleges differ. Community Colleges may admit any high school graduate or GED recipient.

Applicants must also submit an SAT or ACT score.

Minimum Required Grade Point Average (GPA)
The GPA must be achieved based on all college preparatory courses completed at the time of application and should be weighted for Honors or Advanced Placement courses only. Effective fall 2001 the required minimum high school GPA is 3.0 for the four-year public state university campuses and no applicant with a high school GPA below 2.00 may be admitted to a Massachusetts state college or university campus. For details, see http://www.mass.edu/forstudents/admissions/admissionsstandards.asp.

SAT Scores
Applicants who meet the GPA requirement do not have to use the sliding scale for admission but still must submit SAT or ACT test scores for consideration if they are applying to a state university or UMass within three years of high school graduation. See http://www.mass.edu/forstudents/admissions/admissionsstandards.aspIf an applicant’s GPA falls below the required minimum, a sliding scale will apply. This scale should be used only when an applicant’s GPA falls below the required 3.0 minimum for admission to the state university or UMass.

Students with Learning Disabilities
Applicants with professionally diagnosed and documented learning disabilities (documentation must include diagnostic test results) are exempt from taking standardized tests for admission to any public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth. Such students, however, must complete 16** required academic courses with a minimum required GPA of 3.00 or present other evidence of the potential for academic success.
**An applicant may substitute two college preparatory electives for the two required foreign language courses only if the applicant has on file with the high school results of a psycho-educational evaluation completed within the past three years that provides a specific diagnosis of a learning disability and an inability to succeed in a foreign language.The final decision on accepting an applicant rests with the individual campus. 

Early Graduation
Any student who has satisfied the graduation requirements before the end of her or his senior year may qualify for a diploma. While students have the right to graduate before completing four years high school, The Bromfield School does not encourage early graduation. If you are thinking about graduating early, you should see your counselor to discuss your options. 

Standardized Tests
PSAT (Preliminary SAT) 
-Provide preliminary testing for SAT to help prepare for it
-Allows students to enter NMSC Scholarship Program and gain access to college and career planning tools
-3-part test (Reading, Math, Writing)
-Typically taken in October of Junior and/or Sophomore year

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
-Used to help colleges evaluate applicants
-3-part test (Reading, Math, Writing)
-Taken in Junior and Senior years
-Colleges may accept in place of ACT

SAT II – Subject Tests  
-Content-based tests that allow you to showcase achievement in specific subject areas-20 SAT Subject tests in five general subject areas: English, History, Languages, Math, Science
-Some colleges require or recommend them
-Some colleges use to place students in appropriate courses
-Based on performance, could potentially fulfill basic requirements or receive credit for introductory-level college courses
-Typically taken at the end of the course

ACT (American College Testing)
-Used to help colleges evaluate applicants
-More of an achievement test
 -4-part test (English, Math, Reading, Science)
-Colleges may accept in place of SAT

AP (Advanced Placement)
-High school courses recognized as equivalent to college courses for a fee 
-Earn college credit and advanced placement status
-An exam is given at the end of each course