As New York State reshapes what it means to graduate from high school, Lake George Central School District is already providing many of the opportunities at the center of the state’s new vision for education.
Through its NY Inspires initiative, the New York State Education Department is moving toward one state high school diploma and a competency-based graduation system aligned with the New York State Portrait of a Graduate. The changes place greater emphasis on skills such as critical thinking, communication, academic preparation, creativity and future planning, while expanding career-connected learning and opportunities for students to demonstrate what they know.
“Our goal has always been to meet students where they are and provide them with different pathways to success,” High School Guidance Counselor Jennifer Dell’olio said. “As New York looks at what students need to be successful after graduation, we see many areas where the work we are already doing aligns closely with that vision.”
Lake George students have access to a growing range of Advanced Placement and college-credit courses. The district currently offers eight AP courses. In 2025-26, 49 students participated in AP coursework, accounting for 91 total enrollments as many students took multiple AP courses, and 98% of those students scored a 3 or higher on their exams. This school year, 44 students are signed up for AP courses, with 78 total enrollments. Students can also take dual enrollment courses, allowing them to begin college-level work before graduating from high school.
This year, in addition to our University in the High School courses in the sciences, world languages, business and research, opportunities expanded with TEL 101 – Introduction to Design, offered in partnership with SUNY Oswego’s University in the High School program. The three-credit course is taught at Lake George High School and is available to eligible juniors and seniors. After completing Design & Drawing for Production, students build upon their experience with technical drawing, design, CAD, visualization and problem-solving while completing college-level coursework.
Career exploration is another major component of New York’s changing graduation framework, and Lake George continues to expand opportunities for students to experience potential careers before making decisions about their futures. These opportunities include the district’s Career Explorations Internship Program (C.E.I.P.), business department offerings and partnerships with local employers, as well as Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered through WSWHE BOCES at the Myers and Southern Adirondack Education Center (SAEC) campuses.
Lake George CSD, Queensbury UFSD and Corinth CSD have collaborated to create TradesWork, a new pilot program developed by the three districts in partnership with WSWHE BOCES. The initiative grew from the superintendents’ shared goal of providing students with earlier opportunities to explore skilled trades and career pathways. TradesWork gives ninth- and tenth-grade students pre-CTE exposure through hands-on learning experiences while earning a half high school credit. Throughout the year, students will visit each participating school for trades-focused activities, with Lake George hosting the program in December.
F.A.Q
The latest phase will change the role Regents examinations play in graduation beginning with students graduating in 2028, although Regents exams will continue. We know families may have questions about what these changes mean for current and future students, so the FAQ below provides information based on guidance released by NYSED as of Sept. 14, 2026.
Are Regents exams being eliminated?
No. Regents exams will continue.
Under the proposed new framework, Regents examinations will continue to measure student achievement of New York State learning standards. What is changing is their role in determining whether a student earns a high school diploma. Beginning with students graduating in 2028, students will potentially no longer be required to pass a prescribed set of Regents examinations as a separate requirement for graduation.
When do these changes begin?
If adopted, the transition to the new graduation system is expected to begin during the 2027-28 school year, with the change to Regents diploma assessment requirements beginning with students graduating in 2028. NYSED expects to bring proposed regulatory changes to the Board of Regents by February 2027. Because this is a multi-year transition, additional regulations and guidance will be released before implementation.
What should families do right now?
For now, students should continue working toward the graduation requirements currently established for their graduating class. There is no need for families or students to change course selections or academic plans based solely on this announcement. School counselors and administrators will work with students and families as New York State releases additional information about how the transition will affect each graduating class.