High School Curriculum
Newburyport High School offers a range of required and elective courses. Each required course has a core curriculum guide linked to it's name below.
Additional elective courses are listed below, but not all have curriculum guides. If you wish to see our full list of core and elective courses:
Program Overviews & Curriculum Maps
- English
- History & Social Studies
- Math
- Performing & Fine Arts
- Science
- Technology
- Wellness
- World Language
English
The English Department has implemented the Massachusetts English/Language Arts Curriculum Framework, a statewide curriculum guideline for learning, teaching, and assessment in English/Language Arts for the Commonwealth’s public schools.
All students must follow the sequence of required courses listed below.
Grade 9
- CP Freshmen Literature and Composition
- Honors Freshmen Literature and Composition
Grade 10
- CP Sophomore Literature and Composition
- Honors Sophomore Literature and Composition
Grade 11
- CP American Literature
- Honors American Literature
- AP Language and Composition
Grade 12
- CP Senior English Seminar
- Honors Senior English Seminar
- AP Literature and Composition
Electives
- Creative Writing
- Journalism and News Media
Core Curriculum Guides
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
AP Course Guides
Electives
History & Social Studies
All students are required to complete four years of study in History. The History Department has implemented the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework in History/Social Studies, statewide guidelines for learning, teaching, and assessment in history and social sciences for the Commonwealth's public schools.
All students must follow the sequence of required courses listed below.
Grade 9
- CP World History, Parts I & II
- Honors World History, Parts I & II
Grade 10
- CP World History Part III & United States History Part I
- Honors World History Part III & United States History Part I
Grade 11
- CP United States History (Parts II & 3)
- Honors United States History (Parts II & 3)
- AP US History
Grade 12
- CP Civics and 1 History Elective
- Honors Civics and 1 History Elective
- AP US Government & Politics
Electives
- Economics Today
- International Relations
- Psychology
- AP Psychology
- Sociology
- Marketing I
- Intro to Business
- Entrepreneurship
- Untold Story
Core Curriculum Guides
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
AP Course Guides
Elective Curriculum Guides
Economics Today
Psychology
Math
Newburyport High School requires that all students complete 3 years of study in Mathematics.
We offer a variety of sequences for students in the study of mathematics. We have found that having options to address individual student strengths and/or needs and assuring appropriate placement is key to students being successful in high school math. Students can move between different levels depending on academic performance and a teacher's recommendation.
A traditional college preparatory math sequence should include Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.
Grade 9
- Foundations of Math
- CP Algebra I
- Honors Algebra I
Grade 10
- Foundations of Geometry
- CP Geometry
- Honors Geometry
Grade 11
- CP Algebra II
- Honors Algebra II
Grade 12
- CP Pre-Calculus
- Honors Pre-Calculus
Electives
- AP Statistics
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- Financial Math
Core Curriculum Guides
Grade 9
Grade 10
Foundations of Geometry
Grade 11
Grade 12
AP Course Guides
Performing & Fine Arts
Performing Arts
The arts are an opportunity to express oneself through images, characters, music, and stories. Art classes at Newburyport High School offer something for students of all experience levels. We encourage participants to think creatively, make responsible choices, form artistic judgments, and investigate the social and historical context in which they live.
Though most classes culminate in performance or exhibition, the focus of all classes is on the process. Students are expected to participate and will be evaluated on their individual growth. The ultimate goal of our department is to promote appreciation of the arts, a deeper self-awareness for students, and a more sensitive understanding of the world.
Placement
Some electives may have prerequisites. Any student wishing to skip a prerequisite must arrange for an audition/portfolio review with the instructor and department chair.
Theatre
- Communication & Public Speaking Skills
- Dance
- Theatre 1
- Theatre 2
- Theatre 3
- Theatre 4
- Fall Play: Elements of Acting & Design
- Winter Play: Elements of Acting & Design Honors
- Spring Musical: Elements of Musical Theatre
Music
- Band
- Honors Band
- Chorus
- Guitar Jam Rock
- Music Production
- Orchestra
- Honors Orchestra
Film & Media
- Basic Video
Advanced Video
Broadcast News
Film Analysis
NBPT High Network Morning Show
Fine Arts
The arts are an opportunity to express oneself through images, characters, music, and stories. Art classes at Newburyport High School offer something for students of all experience levels. We encourage participants to think creatively, make responsible choices, form artistic judgments, and investigate the social and historical context in which they live.
Though most classes culminate in performance or exhibition, the focus of all classes is on the process. Students are expected to participate and will be evaluated on their individual growth. The ultimate goal of our department is to promote appreciation of the arts, a deeper self-awareness for students, and a more sensitive understanding of the world.
Placement
Some electives may have prerequisites. Any student wishing to skip a prerequisite must arrange for an audition/portfolio review with the instructor and department chair.
Studio Arts
- Ceramics I- Fundamental Skills
- Ceramics II – Creative Expression & Pottery Techniques
- Art I
- Drawing
- Painting
- Honors Art Portfolio
Photography
- Photography I
- Photography II
- Honors Photography
Art & Technology
- PhotoShop
- Computer Animation
- Graphic Design
- Honors Illustration
- AP Studio Art
Curriculum Guides
Art 1
Ceramics 1
Ceramics 2
Photography 1
Photography 2
AP Course Guide
Science
All students are required to complete 3 years of laboratory science:
- One year of Biology
- One year of Chemistry
- One year of Physics
Biology, Year 1
-
CP Biology
-
Honors Biology
-
AP Biology
Chemistry, Year 2
-
CP Chemistry
-
Honors Chemistry
-
AP Chemistry
Physics, Year 3
-
CP Physics
-
Honors Physics
-
AP Physics
Electives
-
Anatomy & Physiology
-
AP Environment Science
- Astronomy
- Aquaponics Horticulture
- Bio-Ethics
- Conservation Biology II
- Environmental Field Studies
- Honors Engineering in the 21st Century
- Introduction to Biotechnology
- Physics and Philosophy
- Toxicology
Core Curriculum Guides
AP Course Guides
AP Physics
Elective Curriculum Guides
Technology
The NHS Technology Department is committed to providing students with the tools and resources to be technologically independent in our e-driven society.
Students are able to choose from a variety of disciplines and media and are encouraged to explore connections between technology and their core curriculum.
We promote safe and intelligent usage of electronic mediums as well as lab tools and machinery. Our goal is to foster an excitement and command for technology so that students will be competitive candidates in the workforce and in their collegiate pursuits.
Computer Science
- Intro to Web Design
- Advanced Web Design
- Programming for Game Design
- Mechanics of Game Design
Pre-Engineering & Manufacturing
- Intro to Industrial Design
- Advanced Industrial Design

- Intro to Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Advanced CAD
- Honors Engineering Ideas into Prototypes
Robotics
- Intro to Robotics
- Advanced Robotics
- SailBot Robotics
Curriculum Guides
Wellness
The mission of our wellness program is to build resilience in the areas of physical, emotional, social and mental well-being through experiences that enable students to thrive, persevere, and maintain positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle.
Students are required to take Wellness for a minimum of one semester each year:
Grade 9
- Health
- Wellness- Respect
Grade 10
- Health
- Wellness- Trust
Grade 11
- Wellness- Relationships
Grade 12
- Wellness- Independence
Electives
- Fitness for Life
- Food Trends
- Lets Move
- Nutrition I
- Nutrition II
- On Board
World Language
Newburyport High School requires that all students complete two sequential years of study in one language. However, we strongly recommend that students seeking admission to four-year colleges and universities complete at least three sequential years of language study.
Language Requirements
Year 1
- German 1
- Spanish 1
Year 2
- CP German 2
- Honors German 2
- CP Spanish 2
- Honors Spanish 2
Course List for Those Continuing Language Study
- CP Spanish 3
- Honors Spanish 3
- CP Spanish 4
- Honors Spanish 4
- Spanish 5
- AP Spanish 5
- CP German 3
- Honors German 3
- CP German 4
- Honors German 4