NHS operates on an alternating block schedule where courses meet for 90 minutes every other day. Semester classes are 18 weeks and year long classes are 36 weeks. Students are limited to 6 classes per semester with an exception of those students participating in Performing Arts, Athletics, Leadership, MUN, Newspaper, Speech and Debate, or Yearbook.
Students in grades 9 and 10 are expected to complete a curricular core that includes: Humanities: World Literature and World History (grade 9), Humanities: American Literature and US History (grade 10), Mathematics, Integrated Science 1 (grade 9) and Integrated Science 2 (grade 10), and either a World Language or a Visual and Performing Arts course. In addition, freshmen must complete two semesters of physical education.
