Regents Diploma
Required Courses
- English: 4 credits
- Social Studies: 4 credits
- Math: 3 credits
- Science: 3 credits
- World Languages: 1 credit
- Art/Music: 1 credit
- Health: 0.5 credit
- Physical Education: 2 credits
- Electives: 3.5 credits
Total: 22 credits
Required Regents Exams
- English language Arts
- Algebra I
- Social Studies (1 exam)
- Science (1 exam)
- One Pathway Assessment
Must have a passing score of 65 and above.
Advanced Regents Diploma
Required Courses
- English: 4 credits
- Social Studies: 4 credits
- Math: 3 credits
- Science: 3 credits
- World Languages: 3 credit
- Art/Music: 1 credit
- Health: 0.5 credit
- Physical Education: 2 credits
- Electives: 1.5 credits
Total: 22 credits
Required Regents Exams
- English language Arts
- Algebra I
- Geometry and Algebra II
- Global History and Geography
- U.S. History and Government
- Science (2 exams)
Must have a passing score of 65 and above. A passing grade on a local World Language exam after the third year of study is required. Students may substitute 5 units of business, technology, art or music for the 3-unit World Languages requirement. See your counselor for details.
Art/Music
All students must complete a minimum of 1 unit of credit in Art/Music. The following courses are acceptable:
- 400 Studio in Art: Foundations: 1 unit
- 441 Studio in Media Arts: 0.5 unit
- 411 Design & Drawing for Production: 1 unit
- 431 Photography 1: 0.5 unit
- 433 Photography 2: 0.5 unit
- 554 Fashion Design and Clothing Production (with 558): 0.5 unit
- 558 Interior Design Studio (with 554): 0.5 unit
- 600 Studio Music: 0.5 unit
- 601 Music Theory II: 0.5 unit
- 610 Concert Band: 1 unit
- 612 Wind Ensemble: 1 unit
- 627 Symphonic Band: 1 unit
- 629 String Orchestra: 1 unit
- 630 Concert Orchestra: 1 unit
- 632 Symphony Orchestra: 1 unit
- 634 Concert Choir: 0.5 unit
- 635 Voice Class I: 0.5 unit
- 639 Chorale: 1 unit
- 7770 Theatre: 1 unit
Pathway Diploma Options
New York state has created many options to meet graduation requirements. The Regents exams that satisfy the testing requirements for a Regents and Advanced Regents Diploma still remain. The state has also designated alternative “pathways” to satisfy diploma requirements, generally through a variation in required exams.
The school counselor and student will develop a program to meet the graduation requirements. Parents who have any questions about graduation requirements are strongly encouraged to contact their child’s counselor.
Diploma Types
- Advanced Regents Diploma: 8 exams at 65+
- Regents Diploma: 5 exams at 65+
- Local Diploma
- For students with disabilities who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). See below for additional information.
- For English as a New Language (ENL) learners. ENL students who have taken the ELA exam at least twice and scored 55-61 can appeal. They can also appeal a 60-69 score on one additional exam. See below for the appeals process.
- For any student who has passed 3 required Regents exams with a 65 or higher and 2 Regents exams with a score of 60-64 for which an appeal has been granted.
Students who have completed diploma requirements in fewer than eight semesters shall not be required to continue enrollment in high school for the sole purpose of completing the physical education requirement.
For students with disabilities, a minimum score of 55 on the five required examinations will be acceptable for a local diploma. There are a number of safety net options available to students with disabilities who do not score a 55 on the five required exams to graduate with a local diploma, including:
- Low-Pass Safety Net Option
- Low-Pass Safety Net Option with Appeal
- Compensatory Safety Net Option
- Superintendent Determination Option
Students should consult with their school counselor for eligibility.
55-64 Passing Score and Compensatory Safety Net
The following students qualify for the 55-64 passing score and compensatory safety net:
- Students with disabilities identified through a Committee on Special Education. Specific language regarding the availability of the safety net does not have to be indicated on the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- Students with disabilities identified through the Section 504 team if recommended and documented on the student’s 504 Accommodation Plan.
- Students with disabilities declassified while in grades 8-12 if recommended and documented by the CSE on the student’s declassification plan.
Appeals Process
The Board of Regents has an appeals process for students who score 60-64 on a required Regents exam. A student, the student’s parent/guardian, or a teacher on the student’s behalf, may initiate an appeal if the following criteria are met:
- The student has taken the Regents exam in question at least two times;
- The student has earned a 60-64 on the Regents exam under appeal;
- The student presents evidence of academic help provided by the school in the subject of the Regents exam under appeal;
- The student has a course average of 65 or better in the subject under appeal as shown on the student’s official transcript (prior year) or report card (current year);
- The student is recommended for an exemption to the graduation requirement by the teacher or instructional specialist in the department of the Regents exam under appeal.