As the class of 2026 prepares to take a step toward success this June, their graduation ceremony at BASE High School carries a significance that goes beyond simply receiving academic credit. It underscores that the path to success is not just about grades, but a journey fraught with interwoven challenges, revealing the perseverance needed to transform social and personal trials into a collective victory. However, some students who will be present at this year’s graduation ceremony will not receive their diplomas.
Ms. Hopkins, one of the counselors at BASE High School, said “Some students are allowed to attend graduation ceremonies according to the New York City policy. As long as the students have earned all their credits, even if they have missed their Regents exams, they can participate in the graduation ceremony but they are NOT getting their diploma on time. They will not receive their diploma until they have passed the Regents exam.” The Regents exams are official New York State exams required to obtain a diploma. Absence from or failure in these exams does not prevent the student from participating in the graduation ceremony.
Most students follow a straightforward path to graduation: take 11 credits a year for 4 years for a total of 44 credits, pass a minimum of 5 Regents exams in different disciplines, and graduate as a high school senior in June. However, some students follow a different path to get their diploma. While some students need extra time to accrue the credits they need, some are able to hit their target in less than the usual four years. Gnila Keneme, who will be graduating this June after only 3 years of high school, has advice for others who might want to graduate early: ¨Make sure you’re on top of your classes and don’t be late.”
Other students will receive their diplomas in August, January, June 2027, or through alternative pathways like the GED. These students have faced multidimensional challenges that hinder their academic success and well-being. Although this is disappointing, it is important to remember that it is not the end of their journey in education. There are still opportunities to continue learning, to train, and to achieve one’s goals. The important thing is not to get discouraged and to find the path that will allow success, even if it takes a little more time. Every experience, even a failure, can become a lesson and a driving force to move forward.
