Program of Studies - Hunterdon Central Regional High School

7. Hours expected to be devoted to independent study
One credit will be granted for every 24 hours of work.
A minimum of 60 hours should be devoted to a 2.5 credit course.
A minimum of 120 hours should be devoted to a 5 credit course.
Credit may be awarded as certified by the principal under 6A:8-5.1(a)1.ii.
8. Roles and responsibilities of the advisor
A conflict of interest may disqualify an individual from serving as an advisor. For example, no parent seeking approval as an
advisor to an independent study may have a child enrolled in the school.
The advisor must provide documentation of certification in the area of the independent study being completed in lieu of a
required course;
The advisor must ensure that the conditions of the independent study contract are met;
The advisor must ensure that the student has put in the requisite hours for the independent study;
The advisor must ensure that the student has grown academically as demonstrated by the submission of a final project or
assessment;
The advisor must schedule regular meetings with the student;
The advisor must submit the final product of the independent study to the IMC if appropriate.
9. Mentors
Sometimes an Independent Study may require an outside “mentor”. The mentor must work in conjunction with a school site
faculty advisor. Even with an outside mentor, a Hunterdon Central High School certified faculty member must serve as the I.S.
advisor.
Mentorships are subject to the following stipulations:
Students may develop an academic project and/or shadowing experience that require non-school based research and study
under the tutelage of a mentor. All mentors not currently employed by Hunterdon Central High School must be fingerprinted
in compliance with N.J.S.A. Code 18A:6-7.2. Prior to being approved as a mentor, the workplace mentor is subject to a
criminal background check and parental approval.
Mentors are professionals, outside of the school setting, who offer their expertise to interested students. The responsibility to
initiate and develop the project is solely the student’s. A mentor is an outside professional who helps a student master certain
skills and knowledge, models behavior and challenges a student to perform well.
The mentorship includes a school site faculty sponsor and a workplace mentor. Responsible mentoring involves a structured
relationship similar to an apprenticeship. The mentor should foster a caring and supportive relationship while helping a
student develop to his/her fullest potential.
College Course Work for the Alternate Graduation Option:
College courses can be taken at any accredited college or university and be applied towards the new NJDOE endorsed alternate
graduation option as outlined in N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.2 which states that starting in the 2002-2003 academic year, district boards of
education shall award a state-endorsed high school diploma to any individual who:
a. Has performed at a proficient or advanced proficient level of achievement in all sections of the HSPA;
b. Has presented official transcripts showing at least 30 general education credits leading to a degree at an accredited institution
of higher education; and
c. Has, if a student is currently enrolled in a public school, formally requested such early award of a State-endorsed high school
diploma.
d. A written request will be submitted to, and approved by, the principal in conjunction with the Principal’s Credit Committee.
Requests must be received prior to May 15 th for summer course work; June 30 th for Quarter 1 course work; September 30 th for
Quarter 2; November 30 th for Quarter 3 course work and April 30th for Quarter 4 course work.
e. Credit attained via N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.2 will be reflected on the high school transcript.
If the student elects, at a later date, to go the traditional graduation route, the college courses taken will be reviewed for application
towards the high school graduation requirements. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the principal, in conjunction
with the Principal’s Credit Committee. If students do receive high school credit for college/university courses taken, they may not
use that course to jump a level in a HCRHS curricular sequence unless they take a HCRHS final assessment in the bypassed course
and achieve a mastery score established by the department supervisor.
Outside Course Work - Transcript Interpretation & Infusion
Transfer students new to HCRHS, and current students with proof of completion of approved coursework taken outside of
HCRHS, will have the courses, grades, and credits from said school infused into their HCRHS permanent record. This infusion
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