Newburyport High School's curriculum is designed around two interconnected premises:

• Students will acquire and demonstrate competencies in areas of academics, career options, personal/social relationships and wellness.
• A major aspect of demonstrating those competencies is successful completion of a core curriculum and elective course work to earn the minimum of 110 credits to be eligible for graduation.

Courses are either one semester or a full year in length. Most semester courses yield 2.5 credits and full year courses 5 credits.

Each year, every student is required to carry a minimum of five core subjects, at least one elective per semester, and one semester of physical education/ wellness. 

The subject areas and credit quantities required of all students are as follows:

• English 4 years 20 credits
• History 4 years 20 credits
• Mathematics 3 years 15 credits
• Science 3 years 15 credits
• World Language 2 years 10 credits
• Physical Education 4 semesters 10 credits
• Visual and Performing Arts 2 semesters 5 credits
• Other Electives 6 semesters 15 credits