High School Graduation Requirements – Diploma Requirements – Credit and Course Requirements – Required Exams – Pathways to Graduation – How to Graduate Early
High School Graduation Requirements
In high school you, the student, are in charge of your education. You select your courses and determine whether or not you are enrolled in a program designed for:
- Higher education at a college or technical school;
- Entry into the Armed Forces;
- School to career, or
- Other educational programs.
The courses of study at Hudson Falls are designed to meet the needs of all students. Regardless of which choices you make, you will want to learn all of the requirements for graduation. Graduation requirements include credit, course, and testing requirements for each diploma type.
Diploma Requirements
A student graduating from Hudson Falls High School may receive one of the following diplomas and we encourage all students to challenge themselves to achieve the highest level they can:
- The Advanced Regents Diploma is the highest diploma a student may receive in a New York State High School. It represents the traditional college preparatory curriculum and requires a minimum of a 65 on 9 required Regents exams.
- The Regents Diploma is awarded to those who have satisfactorily completed all requirements for graduation with a minimum of a 65 on all five required Regents exams.
- The Local Diploma is awarded to those CSE classified students who have satisfactorily completed all minimum requirements for graduation with a minimum of a 55 on five required Regents exams, or to those who will utilize a Regents Exam grade appeal for two exams.
- The Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential is awarded to special education students who have satisfactorily completed the requirements as described in their Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- CDOS is awarded to students who have successfully completed the career development and occupational studies pathway.
Credit and Course Requirements
The graduation requirements chart specifies courses and electives required for the local diploma, Regents, and Advanced Regents diplomas. Hudson Falls High School policy is that all students maintain a minimum of 6 credits plus physical education each semester so they can be on track to receive one of these diplomas as well as graduate with your class cohort.
Graduation Requirements
Local Diploma (CSE)
- 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: 22.0
Regents Diploma
- 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: 22.0
Advanced Regents Diploma
- English – 4 Credits
- Social Studies – 4 Credits
- Math – 3 Credits
- Science – 3 Credits
- World Languages – 3 Credits**
- Art/Music – 1 Credit
- Health – 0.5 Credit
- Physical Education – 2 Credits
- Electives – 1.5 Credits Total: 22.0
*Students must complete 2 units of study and will earn 1 credit by the end of the freshmen year. One unit of credit is earned by passing the state World Languages proficiency exam or earning a unit of commencement level credit in World Languages.
**Students acquiring 5 units in Art, Music, Technology or Vocational Education may be exempt.
Required Exams
Local Diploma (CSE)
- CSE students with Regents exams 55–64
- English
- Global History and Geography
- U.S. History and Government
- Integrated Algebra or Common Core Algebra
- Science
- World Languages Checkpoint A or High School Credit
Regents Diploma
- Passing score of 65 or above on 5 Regents exams
- English
- Global History and Geography
- U.S. History and Government
- Integrated Algebra or Common Core Algebra
- Science
- World Languages Checkpoint A or High School Credit
Advanced Regents Diploma
- Passing score of 65 or above on 9 Regents exams
- English
- Global History and Geography
- U.S. History and Government
- Integrated Algebra/Common Core Algebra, Geometry & Algebra 2
- 2 Science (1 life and 1 physical)
- World Languages Checkpoint A and Checkpoint B (Local Exam)
Pathways to Graduation
4+1 Pathways
Must pass four regents exams (English, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social Studies)
Arts
Completion of an arts sequence and approved assessments
Bi-Literacy
Completion of World Languages sequence and approved assessment (pending)
CTE
Completion of approved CTE program and assessments
Humanities
Additional SS or ELA course and Regents or approved assessment.
STEM
Second science or math regents
4+CDOS
- Pass four regents exams (English, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Social Studies)
- State standards for essential work-readiness knowledge and skills necessary for successful employment after high school
- Students eligible: all
- Diploma type earned: Regents
CDOS
Option 1
- Development of a career plan
- Meet CDOS learning standards
- 216 hours CTE (54 work-based learning)
- Employability profile
- Students eligible: all
- Certificate earned: CDOS
Option 2
- Meet requirements for one of the following:
National Work Readiness Credential, SkillsUSA Work Force Ready Assessment, National Career Readiness Certificate, OR Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment - Students eligible: all
- Certificate earned: CDOS
Appeals
Must have passed the course and sat for the exam two times
- Appeal 60-64 on up to two exams
- Diploma type earned:
- 1 appeal – Regents
- 2 appeals – local
Special Ed. Students
- Appeal 52-54 on up to 2 exams
- Diploma type earned: local
ELL Students
- Appeal 55-59 on ELA exam
- Only need to sit once
- Diploma type earned: local
How to Graduate Early
In accordance with Board of Education policy, a student may be eligible for early graduation in fewer than eight semesters if the student completes all requirements for graduation, excluding physical education. The High School Principal will consult with appropriate personnel, the student, and appropriate family member(s), and consider factors such as the student’s grades, performance in school, future plans, and benefits to graduation early in making its decision. Upon approval, students eligible for early graduation become members of the graduating class to which they have moved, and are ranked along with that class.