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Graduation Requirements

Attendance

To improve the academic level and English learning of your son or daughter, it is very important to take into account that 10 absences from your child may result in them falling behind academically and possibly having to repeat classes, attend summer school or stay in the same grade level as the previous year.

Picture of Multicultural High School Graduates

Students can earn three types of diplomas:

A Regents diploma

An Advanced Regents diploma

A Local diploma

All of these diplomas are valid high school diplomas. All students can earn a Regents or Advanced Regents diploma. An Advanced Regents diploma lets students show additional skills in math, science, and languages other than English. Some students may meet specific criteria to graduate with a local diploma, with lower exam scores.

 

To earn a diploma, students must earn specific course credits and pass specific Regents exams. See below:

Regents Diploma

Examination Requirements

Students must achieve a score of 65 or higher on these five exams to earn a Regents diploma.

English Language Arts (ELA)

Any math exam (Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II/Trigonometry)

Any social studies exam (Global History and Geography or U.S. History and Government)

Any science exam (Living Environment, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics)

Any additional Regents exam, or another option approved by the State Credit Requirements

 

Students need 44 credits in these subject areas to earn a Regents diploma.

8 credits in core English

8 credits in social studies, including:

4 credits in Global History

2 credits in U.S. History

1 credit in Participation in Government

1 credit in Economics

6 credits in math, including:

At least 2 credits in advanced math (for example, Geometry or Algebra II)
6 credits in science, including:

2 credits in any life science
2 credits in any physical science
2 credits in any life science or physical science
2 credits in Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
4 credits in physical education, every year in specific ways
1 credit in health education
2 credits in arts education, including visual arts, music, dance, and theater
7 credits in electives
Advanced Regents Diploma
Examination Requirements

 

Students must score 65 or higher on the following nine exams to earn an advanced Regents diploma.

English Language Arts (ELA)
Three math exams (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry)
One social studies exam (Global History and Geography or U.S. History and Government)
Two science exams (Living Environment and one of these: Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics)
Any additional Regents exam, or another option approved by the State
Any NYC Languages Other Than English (LOTE) exam
Credit Requirements

 

Students need 44 credits in these subject areas to earn an Advanced Regents diploma. This is the same total number of credits as a Regents diploma, but with more courses in a language other than English (LOTE) and fewer elective courses.

8 credits in core English
8 credits in social studies, including:
4 credits in Global History
2 credits in U.S. History
1 credit in Participation in Government
1 credit in Economics
6 credits in math, including:
At least 2 credits in advanced math (for example, Geometry or Algebra II)
6 credits in science, including:
2 credits in any life science
credits in any physical science
2 credits in any life science or physical science
6 credits in Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
4 credits in physical education, every year in specific ways
1 credit in health education
2 credits in arts education, including visual arts, music, dance, and theater
3 credits in electives
Students only need two Language Other Than English (LOTE) credits if they are earning an arts or CTE endorsement. Some students who have a disability that makes it challenging to learn a language can earn credits in other subjects instead of LOTE.