Shaker High School Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from Shaker High School, a student must complete the graduation requirements set forth in Part 100 of the Commissioner’s Regulations (8 NYCRR §100 et seq.). The Board of Education reserves the right to establish reasonable requirements for graduation which exceed the minimum standards as defined by the New York State Board of Regents.
Regent-level Diplomas
Subject to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education students in the District may earn a:
- Regents diploma
- Regents diploma with advanced designation
- New York State High School Equivalency Diploma
- Regents or Regents with advanced designation diploma (with affixed technical endorsement)
- Skills achievement commencement credential; or
- Career development and occupational studies commencement credential
Shaker High School students must successfully complete a minimum of twenty-two (22) credits and pass the appropriate Regents examinations to qualify for a New York State Regents diploma. Students are strongly encouraged to take four (4) years of math, science, and world languages (Languages Other Than English, LOTE) to be best prepared for post-secondary academic and career experiences. At his or her discretion, the Shaker High School Principal or his or her designee may consider for approval coursework outside of Shaker High School course offerings.
Local High School Diploma
Subject to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, the following may be eligible to earn a local high school diploma:
- Students with disabilities
- Students who fail to attain a passing score on two (2) Regents examinations required for graduation who appeal those scores and whose appeal is accepted
- Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam who do not have a high school diploma
Credit Requirements – Regents Diploma
The charts below shall set forth exemptions, special endorsements, examination requirements, and information regarding appeals.
| Required Courses | Credits |
| English | 4 |
| Social Studies: – Global History 2 – US History 1 – Economics .5 – P.I.G. 5 | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science – Life Science 1 – Physical Science 1 – Physical or Life Science 1 | 3 |
| Language Other than English (LOTE) | 1 |
| Arts | 1 |
| Electives | 3.5 |
| Physical Education | 2 |
| Health | .5 |
| Total: | 22 |
Students must pass one (1) Regents Examination in Science. The science course can be either the Living or Physical course with 1,200 minutes of corresponding lab time.
A student with a disability classification may be excused from LOTE if such exclusion is indicated on his or her IEP. However, even in such circumstances, twenty-two (22) credits are still required to graduate.
4+1 Pathway to Graduation Required Regents Examinations:
| Regents Diploma | Local Diploma |
| Passing Grade of 65% or Above | Passing Grade of 55% or Above Classified Students with Approved Safety Net |
| 1 English 1 Social Studies 1 Math 1 Science 1 Pathway B | 1 English 1 Social Studies 1 Math 1 Science 1 Pathway B (see section “b”, below) |
a. A score of 45-54 (except in ELA and Math, where a score of 55 is required) can be compensated by a score of 65 or above on another required Regents examination. In addition, the student must pass the course in which they earned a score of 45-54.
b. 4+1 Pathway Options
- Arts Pathway – Pass an additional Arts course (or Sequence) culminating in a Department approved Pathway Assessment; and the culminating Department approved Pathway Assessment in the Arts.
- Biliteracy (LOTE) Pathway – complete adequate LOTE coursework (based on student proficiency); and pass the culminating Department approved Pathway Assessment in Languages other than English.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway – complete a Department approved CTE program; and the culminating 3-part technical assessment.
- Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Pathway – complete the CDOS Commencement Credential Requirements.
- Humanities Pathway – pass an additional Social Studies or English Language arts course culminating in a Regents or Department approved alternative assessment; and the culminating Regents Examination or Department approved alternative.
- STEM Pathway – pass an additional Science or Mathematics course culminating in a Regents or Department approved alternative assessment; and the culminating Regents Examination or Department approved alternative.
Important Note:
a. Students may earn diploma credit for successfully completing a course but fail to meet the corresponding Regents assessment requirement; or
b. Students can fail a course and receive no academic credit but fulfill an assessment requirement if they pass a Regents examination in that course
c. As long as the student earns the twenty-two (22) credits in the required subject areas outlined herein and passes the required assessments in the subject areas they meet the diploma requirements.
Regents Appeals and Superintendent Determination will only be discussed as an option for graduation eligibility after each failed Regents examination has been re-taken and other district academic requirements have been met, including passing the course that corresponds with the Regents examination. No more than two (2) Regents examinations may be appealed.
Special Endorsements
a. Honors: A student earns a computed average of at least 90 on the Regents examinations applicable to either a Regents diploma or a Regents diploma with advanced designation. No more than two (2) department approved alternatives can be substituted for Regents examinations. The locally developed “Pathway ‘B’ LOTE” examination is not included in the calculation.
b. Mastery in Math and/or Science: A student meets all the requirements for a Regents diploma with advanced designation AND earns a score of 85 or better on three (3) math Regents examinations and/or three (3) science Regents examinations.
c. Technical Endorsement: A student meets the requirements for either a local diploma, a Regents diploma, or a Regents diploma with advanced designation AND successfully completes a department approved CTE program including the three (3) part technical assessment.
Specialized Diplomas
In order to encourage students to take full advantage of the program and course offerings at Shaker High School, specialized diplomas will be awarded to students who complete the prescribed programs of study exceeding the basic school and Regents requirements. Students completing the more rigorous program with a 3-year average of 88-92 will receive a specialized diplomas with honors. Students earning a 3-year average of 93 or higher will receive a specialized diploma with high honors.
Liberal Arts Diploma
| Requirement | Credits |
| English | 4 units Regents or above |
| Social Studies | 4 units Regents or above |
| Science | 4 units Regents or above |
| Math | 4 units Regents or above |
| World Languages | 5 units plus “ Pathway B” or 6 years combined of 2 different languages with pathway examination |
| Arts | 2 units |
| Health | .5 units |
| Physical Education | 2 units |
Scientific Diploma
| Requirement | Credits |
| English | 4 units Regents or above |
| Social Studies | 4 units Regents or above |
| Science | 5 units Regents or above |
| Math | 5 units Regents or above |
| World Languages | 3 units with Pathway B |
| Computer | .5 unit |
| Arts | 1 unit |
| Health | .5 unit |
| Physical Education | 2 units |
3 Year Graduation Program
a. The student must declare their intention to enter this program in writing by the end of their sophomore year
b. The student must meet all graduation requirements
c. Courses taken outside of Shaker High School must be submitted to the student’s counselor for verification prior to graduation rehearsal
Early Admission to College and Graduation from High School
a. A student who has completed all graduation requirements except for English 12 and Social Studies 12 may be accepted into college immediately following the completion of the junior year. If a student wishes to pursue this option an application must be completed and submitted to the student’s school counselor and forwarded to the building principal for final approval.
b. In order to be eligible for this program a student must have attended Shaker High School as a full time student for a period of one year directly preceding the senior year of study. In addition, a student wishing to pursue this option must have successfully completed three years of English, social studies and physical education, and successfully passed all Regents examinations that are required for graduation.
c. A Shaker High School diploma will be awarded upon request to a student who has enrolled in a full time college program and has successfully completed two semesters of English and social studies in that college program.
Cross-ref:
4310, Basic Instructional Program
4741, Class Rankings
4750, Promotion and Retention of Students 4772.1, Honorary Diplomas
Ref: 8 NYCRR §§100.1-100.7
Matter of O’Neill, 29 EDR 297 (1990)
Note: Prior policy, High School Graduation, 5127(a), (b)
Policy Adopted: June 27, 1972
Amended: July 5, 1972
Amended: December 18, 1978
Amended: December 6, 1982
Amended: June 25, 1984
Amended: April 29, 1985
Amended: October 27, 1986
Amended: January 25, 1999
Amended: June 17, 2002
Amended: February 24, 2020