Academic Requirements and Information
1. Requirements For Graduation
School Board Policy Regarding Participation in High School
Graduation Ceremony
High school graduation is an important milestone for District students. It is the policy of the Saranac Central School District that all students who complete the high school course of study as required by the New York State Education Department and the Saranac Central School Board of Education shall be awarded a diploma and shall be eligible to participate in a graduation ceremony if they have met all requirements for high school graduation prior to the day of the ceremony.
In the event a student does not fulfill the requirements for high school until completing summer school work or other additional work, the student shall be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony which occurs in the June immediately following their completion of the course work.
Course and Exam Requirements For Students Based On Diploma Type
Regents Diploma
| English 4 years | 4.0 Credits |
| Social Studies 4 years | 4.0 Credits |
| Mathematics 3 years | 3.0 Credits |
| Science 3 years | 3.0 Credits |
| Physical Ed. 4 years | 2.0 Credits |
| Health 0.5 year | 0.5 Credit |
| Keyboarding 0.5 year | 0.5 Credit |
| Art/Music 1 year | 1.0 Credit |
| Language 1 year | 1.0 Credit |
| Electives | 3.0 Credits |
| Total Credits Required | 22.0 Credits |
Regents Exam Requirements for Regents Diploma
| Global History/Geo. II | Regents Exam |
| English Language Arts | Regents Exam |
| US History/Government | Regents Exam |
| Integrated Algebra | Regents Exam |
| Science | Regents Exam |
Regents Advanced Diploma - All of the above plus:
| Geometry and Algebra II / Trigonometry | Regents Exam |
| A Second Science course | Regents Exam |
| 3 Years of Foreign Language | Regents Exam |
Passing Scores = 65% or Better
Mastery Scores = 85% or Better
Class of 2009-2011 Graduation Requirements
As above with the following exceptions:
Local Diploma: General education students from the class of 2009 who have at least two scores at 65 or above on the five required Regents exams and all scores at 55 or above may earn a local diploma.
The class of 2010 will be required to have at least three scores at 65 or above on the five required Regents exams and all scores at 55 or above to earn a local diploma.
The class of 2011 must have at least four scores at 65 or above on the five required Regents exams and all scores 55 or above.
The class of 2012 does not have a local diploma option. General education students must score 65 or above on the five required Regents exams.
There is also an appeals process in which students who score within three points of 65 and have achieved the standards would be eligible to appeal if they meet the following criteria:
- Take the Regents Exam in question two times.
- Have a score on the Regents Exam under appeal within 3 points of the 65 passing score on that exam, up to a total of two exams.
- Have a course average in the subject under appeal that meets or exceeds the required passing grade by the school. The course average must be based on the student’s official transcript that records grades achieved by the student in each quarter of the school year.
- Present evidence that they have taken advantage of academic help provided by the school in the subject tested by the Regents Exam under appeal.
- Have an attendance rate of 95 percent for the school year (except for excused absences) during which they last took the Regents Exam under appeal. Local school districts set their own policy for what is considered an excused or unexcused absence.
- Be recommended for an exemption to the graduation requirement by their teacher or Department chairperson in the subject of the Regents Exam under appeal.
2. Promotion Requirements
A student must complete a minimum number of credits before promotion to the next grade level is granted.
Sophomore-Student must have completed 4.5 credits.
Junior-Student must have completed 9.5 credits.
Senior-Student must be eligible to graduate in June of that school year.
3. Guidance Office Procedure
To insure that all students have an equal opportunity to take advantage of the services of the guidance office, students must sign up with the guidance secretary not later than 8:20 a.m. on the day they wish to come in. Sign-ups can be as far as one week in advance, but not more than three times for any one week. Appointments will be limited to 2 students per period per counselor.
Students report to guidance by request over the PA system or by pass issued by guidance or the classroom teacher. Students are to return to class before the end of the period.
4. Withdrawals
Every student who withdraws from the Saranac Central School should obtain the proper papers from the guidance office. A student should report to the guidance office before the day that he/she plans to leave to obtain instructions on withdrawal procedures. No transfer records are issued until all items listed on the withdrawal sheet are correctly completed.
5. Early Dismissal
Early dismissal is discouraged. It will be granted to qualified seniors only in rare circumstances, such as family hardship.
6. Guidelines for Graduation in Less Than Four Years
Early graduation will not be permitted except in cases of extreme hardship.
Individuals applying for early graduation must meet with the principal after filling out the prescribed form with the help of a counselor. Such form includes a brief explanation of the hardship and a proposed schedule, in order to set up a meeting with the Board of Education. Individuals must present their own case to the Board of Education in the company of their parents.