Your high school experience is a partnership between you, your parents and many educators. As your school counselors, we encourage you to actively participate in establishing, designing and achieving your academic and personal goals. It is important that you have a basic understanding of graduation requirements and career options. Therefore, we’d like to share with you some frequently asked questions:
What do I need to graduate?
Requirements to graduate vary depending on the kind of diploma you seek. Generally, there are two types of high school diplomas: Regents Diploma and Advanced Regents Diploma. These diplomas differ to some degree in both course and exam requirements, as follows:
| Regents Diploma | Adv. Regents Diploma | ||
| Content Area | Credits | Content Area | Credits |
| English | 4 | English | 4 |
| Social Studies | 4 | Social Studies | 4 |
| Math | 3 | Math | 3 |
| Science | 3 | Science | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 1 | Foreign Language | 3* |
| Art/Music | 1 | Art/Music | 1 |
| Health | .50 | Health | .50 |
| Physical Education | 2 | Physical Education | 2 |
| Electives | 3.5 | Electives | 1.5 |
| Total: | 22.0 | Total: | 22.0 |
Note: *Students acquiring 5 units in Art, Music, Business, Technology or Vocational Education may be exempt.
Credits Needed for Grade Designation
| Grade 9 | Entering high school |
| Grade 10 | 5 Credits |
| Grade 11 | 10 Credits |
| Grade 12 (or a schedule that will get you to your total diploma credit total) | 15 Credits |
| Able to graduate | 22 Credits |
Class Rank
The class rank is unweighted and is determined by averaging all grades for course work. A ranking is made after 6 semester and a final ranking after 7 1/2 semesters.
Grading System
Grades are numerical with 65 as passing. A letter-to-number conversion is used for transfer students, as needed:
| A+ | 95-100 |
| A | 90-94 |
| B+ | 85-89 |
| B | 80-84 |
| C+ | 75-79 |
| C | 70-74 |
| D+ | 68-69 |
| D | 65-67 |
| F | 60 |
Class of 2020 Statistics
Graduates – 72
Local Diplomas- 11
NYS Regents Diplomas – 35
NYS Regents Diplomas w/ Honors – 0
NYS Adv. Regents Diplomas – 19
NYS Adv. Regents Diplomas w/ Honors – 6
Certificates – 1
Post Secondary Plans (Class of 2020)
4 – Year College – 29
2 – Year College – 22
Military – 3
Work – 16
Technical / Apprentice – 2
Where Graduates Have Attended College
SUNY
Adirondack Community College, Albany, Binghampton, Brockport, Buffalo (College), Buffalo (University), Canton A.G. & Tech, Clinton Community College, Cobleskill AG. & Tech., Cortland, Dehli AG. & Tech., FIT, Fredonia, Geneso, Herkimer Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Mowhawk Valley Community College, Monroe Community College, Morrisville AG. & Tech, North Country Community College, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Potsdam, Schenectady Community College, Stonybrook, Trident Community College
Private
Allegheny, American Academy of Performing Arts, Art Institute of Boston, Bentley University, Boston University, Butler University, Cazenovia College, Champlain College, Clarkson, Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines, Cornell, Culinary Institute of America, Daniel Webster, Dartmouth, Davidson, Duke, D’Youville, Franklin Pierce, Georgetown University, Hamilton, Hampshire College, Hartwick College, Harvard, High Point University, Hiram, Hobart & William Smith, Ithaca, Johnson & Wales, Juniata College, Keuka, Lake Forest University, Lehigh University, Lemoyne, Lesley College, Long Island University – Southhampton, Lycoming, Lynchburg College, Marietta College, Mary Washington College, Marymount University, McGill (Canada), Mercy, Middlebury College, Nazareth, Norwich, Paul Smith’s, Rensselaer (RPI), Roberts Wesleyan, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Roger Williams, Russell Sage, Saint Rose, Siena, Skidmore, Springfield, St. Bonaventure, St. John Fisher, St. Lawrence, St. Michael’s, Temple University, Union, Unity College, University of Miami, University of New England, University of Rochester, Vassar, Washington & Jefferson College, Wellesley, Wells, Western New England, Wittenburg University, Worchester Polytechnic Institute, Yale
State Universities
Castleton State (VT), Colorado University, Edinboro (PA), Johnson State (VT), Lyndon College (VT), North Dakota State, Ohio University, Oklahoma State University, Slippery Rock (PA), University of California at Berkeley, University of Delaware, University of Hawaii, University of Maine University of Massachusetts, University of New Hampshire, University of North Carolina, University of Rhode Island, University of Utah, University of Vermont, University of Wyoming, Washington State University
Military Academies
Air Force Academy, Coast Guard, Naval Academy, West Point
REQUIRED EXAMS FOR GRADUATION
| Regents Diploma | Adv. Regents Diploma |
| English Language Arts | English Language Arts |
| Regents Math Exam | 3 Regents Math Exams |
| Regents Global History Exam | Regents Global History Exam |
| Regents US History Exam | Regents US History Exam |
| Regents Science Exam | 2 Regents Science Exams (1 Life Science & 1 from Physical Science) |
| Local Foreign Language Exam* |
Note: *Students acquiring 5 units in Art, Music, Business, Technology or Vocational Education may be exempt.
DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
| ENTERING FRESHMAN CLASS | REGENTS DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS | ADVANCED REGENTS DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS |
| 2009 and thereafter | Score 65 or above on 5 required Regents Exams. Earn 22 units of credit. | Score 65 or above on 8 required Regents Exams and Local Foreign Language Exam. Earn 22 units of credits. |
Note: There are Safety Nets available for students with disabilities who are pursuing a regular high school diploma. These options would fulfill requirements for a Local Diploma.
Students pursuing a Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential or a Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential will have graduation and career requirements tailored to their individual needs. These requirements will differ to various extents from the Local, Regents and Advanced Regents Diplomas.
How will my counselors help me reach my goals of graduation?
Your counselors will meet with you at least once a year to discuss your interests, career goals and academics. This meeting is called your Annual Review. During this time we will help you choose appropriate courses for next year. These courses will not only meet graduation and testing requirements, but also prepare you for your career goals.
How do I choose a vocational education program at Champlain Valley Technical Education Center (CV-TEC)?
During your sophomore year you will be introduced to the programs at CV-TEC and invited to visit their campus. At your Annual Review you should discuss with your counselor whether attending CV-TEC will be the best option to meet your career goals. You must meet the AVCS academic criterion to be eligible to attend CV-TEC.
What are my options following graduation?
Students pursue a variety of experiences after graduating from high school, including joining the workforce, entering a military career and/or attending college or other higher educational institutions. Explore your options by speaking with your parents/guardians, teachers and counselor. Seek information. Work hard. Take appropriately challenging coursework. Reach for your dreams. These will all increase the choices available to you following graduation.
