Graduation Requirements
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In New York State, there are three types of diploma: a local diploma, a Regents diploma, and an Advanced Regents diploma. All students can earn a Regents or Advanced Regents diploma; however only students who meet specific criteria are eligible to graduate with a local diploma, which allows students to graduate with lower exam scores. The type of diploma your child earns depends on his or her course credits and scores on specific Regents exams, as shown in the table below. An Advanced Regents diploma lets students demonstrate additional skills in math, science, and languages other than English. If you think your child is not earning the credits she or he needs to graduate, please speak to your school’s guidance counselor immediately. Keep in mind that a student may always exceed these requirements; these represent the minimum. |
Regents Diploma
Examination Requirements
Advanced Regents Diploma
Your child must achieve a score of 65 or higher on these five Regents exams:
- English Language Arts (ELA)
- Any mathematics 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 assessment approved by the State for this purpose
Advanced Regents Diploma
Examination Requirements
Your child must achieve a score of 65 or higher on these nine exams:
- English Language Arts (ELA)
- Three mathematics exams (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry)
- Any 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 assessment approved by the State for this purpose
- Any NYC Languages Other Than English (LOTE) exam
Minimum Credit Requirements
| 8 | Core English |
| 8 | Social Studies: Global History (4), U.S. History (2), Participation in Government (1), Economics (1) |
| 6 | Mathematics: Including at least two credits of advanced math (e.g., Geometry or Algebra II) |
| 6 |
Science: Life Science (2), Physical Science (2), Life Science or Physical Science (2)
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| 2 |
Languages Other than English (LOTE)*
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| 4 |
Physical Education (every year, distributed in specific ways)
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| 1 |
Health
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| 2 |
Visual Art, Music, Dance, and/or Theater
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| 7 |
Electives
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| 44 |
Total Credits
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*A student seeking an Advanced Regents diploma with an arts or CTE endorsement is only required to complete 2 credits of LOTE. Also, a student whose IEP specifies that the disability directly impacts his or her ability to learn a language may substitute other courses for the LOTE requirement and still earn an Advanced Regents diploma