Determination & Gradution Requirements

A determination of competency shall include:

  • Demonstrating mastery in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and, beginning with the Class of 2027, U.S. History; and
  • Satisfactory completion of relevant coursework aligned to those standards measured by the high school English language arts, mathematics, and science MCAS assessments administered in 2023.

To show mastery, a student must successfully complete, in accordance with the school’s grading policy:

  1. The final assessment for a course, or
  2. A capstone or portfolio project; or
  3. An equivalent measure is identified in Burlington High School’s Program of Studies.

Coursework Requirements 

 

Content Area

Coursework Requirement

Notes

English Language Arts

Equivalent of two years of high school ELA courses

Must be taken in grades 9–12

Mathematics

Equivalent of one year each of Algebra I and Geometry

Algebra I taken in 8th grade will count toward the requirement.

Science

Equivalent of one year in Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Must be taken in grades 9–12

U.S. History 

(Class of 2027 

Equivalent of one year in U.S. History course

Must be taken in grades 9–12

 

Aligned Courses: Aligned courses will be listed in the Burlington High School Program of Studies in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and DESE’s Competency Determination guidance.

Additional Considerations

  • Students with Disabilities: The Burlington Public Schools will provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education to students with disabilities and will also determine that the student has met the competency determination and local graduation requirements prior to graduating that student. CD and graduation requirements apply to students with disabilities. Coursework completed in out-of-district placements must meet Burlington’s CD requirements. CD determinations must be part of IEP transition planning.

  • English Learners: The district will determine appropriate courses on a case-by-case basis to ensure both language development and fulfillment of CD requirements. For students at ACCESS English Language Development Levels 1 and 2, ESL courses count toward ELA credit, as they are aligned to grade-level standards.

  • Late-Enrolling Students: Students entering Burlington Public Schools after ninth grade may demonstrate CD through transcript review, additional coursework requirements, or qualifying MCAS scores.

Appeals Process

Current students and their families/guardians may appeal Competency Determination (CD) decisions through the procedures described below. Burlington Public Schools will maintain a formal, school-level appeals process for students at risk of not meeting CD requirements. This process includes:

  1. Students and/or guardians may appeal a CD decision. 
    1. Appeals must be submitted no later than Feb. 1st
    2. Appeals will be reviewed by the Principal or designee, with a written decision issued within 30 school days.
  2. Review of the student’s transcript and coursework evidence.
  3. Input from teachers, counselors, and administrators.
  4. The Principal or designee will issue a final decision.

Former students (Classes 2003–2024) who completed local graduation requirements but did not graduate due to MCAS may also appeal for diploma consideration under current CD standards.

  • The process includes notifying eligible students from the Classes of 2003–2025, where accurate contact information is available, regarding their opportunity to earn a diploma. Burlington High School will continue efforts to reach these students and will review transcripts upon request to verify eligibility.
  • Students from prior graduating classes (Classes of 2003–2025) who were denied a diploma solely for not meeting MCAS-based CD requirements may now petition for a diploma.
  • Burlington Public Schools will review transcripts to verify successful completion of required coursework.
  • Verified students will be awarded a diploma consistent with DESE guidance on retroactive CD eligibility.

Purpose: In addition to Competency Determination, Burlington students must complete local graduation requirements to earn a diploma. These requirements reflect our commitment to preparing students for college, career, and civic life.

Credit Requirements: Credit represents successful completion of a year-long course or semester course.                     

  • English Language Arts: Four full-year courses (20 credits)
  • Mathematics: Four full-year courses at Burlington High School (20 credits) 
  • Science: Three full-year courses (including one Physical Science and one Life Science) (15 credits)
  • History and Social Science: Three full-year courses, including two years of U.S. History and one year of World History (15 credits)
  • World Language: Two full years of the same language (10 credits)
    • Students must complete two consecutive years of the same World Language.
  • Wellness / Physical Education: Minimum one semester each year (10 credits)
    • 9th Grade Wellness & PE
    • 10th Grade Wellness & PE
    • 11th Grade PE
    • 12th Grade Wellness
  • Exploratory Courses (10 credits) See below for details 
    • Business
    • Fine Arts
    • Performing Arts
    • Computer Science
    • Humanities
    • STEM
    • Interdisciplinary
  • Additional Electives/Courses of Student’s Choice (10 credits)

Portrait of a Graduate Requirement (Beginning with the Class of 2030): To earn a Burlington Public Schools diploma, students must demonstrate proficiency in the competencies, skills, and dispositions outlined in the Portrait of a Graduate. Students will reflect on and document their growth in these areas through an ongoing digital portfolio and will present their portfolio as a graduation requirement. *The Burlington Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate local graduation requirement was reviewed and approved by the Burlington School Committee on January 27, 2026. See below for details. 

Relationship Between CD and Graduation Requirements

  • Earning a diploma requires both:
  1. Meeting Competency Determination (CD) requirements, and
  2. Completing Local Graduation Requirements. 
  • Students must fulfill both sets of criteria to graduate. 

Approval and Communication: This policy was approved by the Burlington School Committee on 11/18/25. It will be posted publicly, translated into multiple languages, and communicated to students, staff, and families annually. 

Legal References

  • DESE Graduation Requirements and Related Guidance
  • DESE Graduation and Transition Planning for Students with IEPs
  • DESE Competency Determination Guidance and Policy Submission Process
  • 603 CMR 30.00
  • M.G.L. c 69, § 1D 

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE REQUIREMENT

Massachusetts’s efforts to reimagine high school require us, as a district, to reconsider what readiness for life after the twelfth-grade means in today’s world and how students will demonstrate that readiness. The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released its Vision of a Massachusetts Graduate in October 2025 to serve as a guide for all high schools, ensuring students are prepared to thrive once they graduate. For several years, Burlington Public Schools has been working toward this goal by developing the BPS Portrait of a Graduate, which is aligned with the state’s guidance. We are excited to fully implement that vision at BHS in the 2026-2027 school year. 

  • Beginning with the Class of 2030, Burlington High School students must show proficiency or substantial growth in the skills and competencies outlined in the BPS Portrait of a Graduate as a condition of graduation. 
  • Throughout their four years, students will regularly reflect on their growth in these areas. They will document their progress by developing a digital portfolio with self-selected artifacts that show their learning and applied skills over time. 
  • As part of demonstrating their proficiency in Portrait of a Graduate competencies, students will also document their work toward creating a career and academic plan aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s MyCAP framework. This plan will help students understand the connection between what they are learning and doing at BHS and their hopes for the future. 
  • In the 2026-2027 school year, BHS will provide a dedicated structure for students’ reflection on their learning and academic and career planning. During bimonthly MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan) blocks, students will meet with a faculty advisor who will guide them through activities that support Portrait of a Graduate skill development, reflections on current learning plans and plans for their future, and the development of their digital portfolio.