In February, we discussed the benefits of an Advanced Regents Diploma for high school students. In truth, the Advanced track is more challenging than the regular Regents Diploma since it has a more academically oriented sequence.
However, the benefits of the extra math and science classes have a tremendous impact in the college admissions process. In fact, I implore parents to keep their children in the Advanced Regents diploma sequence.
Unfortunately, prior to the opening of school, we get many parents who want to change their child’s schedule. Clearly, the typical high school student would rather avoid the rigorous concepts taught in Trigonometry and Chemistry, but competitive colleges want to see these courses on student transcripts. To illustrate this point, we annually compare the college acceptances for Advanced Regents against Regents diplomas.
The college quality for students accepted from the Advanced path is far superior to the Regents diploma one. It’s not even close. I can only imagine how difficult these conversations are with your children, but the consequences of veering away from the Advanced track are monumental in the admissions process. The Advanced Diploma sequence will get your child into a quality college.
If you have additional questions about your child’s high school options, please contact their guidance counselor or Mr. Grande, Island Trees High School principal.
