Course Planning

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded a high school diploma in New York State, students must pass both coursework and  the required Regent exams with a passing score of 65 and above.

There are two types of diplomas: The Regents and the Advanced Designation Regents Diploma. Both require coursework in the Core subjects with elective credit totaling 22 credits. Many students at Hamburg take many more classes, thus more credits. The Regents Diploma requires 5 exams: English Language Arts,  1 Math, Global Studies, U.S. History and 1 Science exam. The Advanced Regents requires 8 exams in the Core subjects and in addition, a Comprehensive Second Language exam. Students with a disability may have alternative safety nets regarding graduation requirements.

Complete graduation requirements and course descriptions are found in the curriculum handbook.

Important Information to Consider

The curriculum handbook has been developed to assist students and parents with planning their high school course of study. The New York State Education Department has established minimum standards for earning a high school diploma. 

If your educational goals do include college, you must plan carefully. If you are still deciding on your future goals, plan as if you are going to college. This plan of action will open more paths for you to choose from in the future. All students, regardless of future plans, should select courses that will challenge individual intellectual abilities. Proper course selections and successful completion of those courses will increase the chance of being accepted into the college or career field of your choice. 

Hamburg High Schools offers sixteen Advanced Placement classes, Hilbert College and other college credit coursework, a wide variety of electives and multiple career and technical education programs offered through Erie 1 BOCES. 

Scheduling Reminders

• All efforts are made to give students the classes that they requested during  the scheduling process; there should only be minimal changes made in September.

• Students are required to maintain 5 instructional periods plus physical education, per semester. 

• Senior schedules will not be altered to accommodate for early release, work release or late arrival.

• The Drop/Add Period for 40 week courses is 2 weeks from start of school year and the Drop/Add Period for 20 week courses is 2 weeks from start of the semester.

• Students receive final copies of their schedules prior to the first day of classes. Any change made by the school is communicated with the student and family. 

• Please remember that requesting specific teachers, class periods or other preference changes will not be considered. This includes but is not limited to: 

  • Teacher requests or teacher changes  

  • Period changes for convenience, such as 1st or 9th free, or lunch with friends, is not accepted.  

  • Phys Ed changes (such as Days 1,3 to Days 2,4) unless it impacts a graduation requirement in scheduling.

• Hamburg High School does consider requested changes for the following reasons:  

  • Medical documentation from a physician if a medical condition is the reason for a specific class change.  

  • There is a recommendation from the School Support Team (SST), an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or a

 504 accommodation or if sufficient reasoning by the school counselor(s) in consultation with building administration.

• If there is a level change within a subject, (such as from Regents to AP or Regents to Non Regents) it will be dependent on the conditions below: 

  • We cannot move students into a class that is at capacity. 

  • We may not be able to move a student to a class that has space, if it is in conflict with another class. 

  • Some classes have prerequisites that must be met in order to enroll. 

  • Grades from the previous class are calculated into the new class.

• In order to submit a course change request, please see/email your school counselor.  Students should attend the class they would like to drop so as to obtain teacher approval and a signature. Also required: a parent signature.

• If enrolled in an AP class, the student is required to take the exam in May and pay applicable fees.

• Junior students leave HHS periods 6-9 for programing at an Erie 1 BOCES location. Both Potter and Harkness Career and Technical student's day is longer due to BOCES scheduling. Buses will transport walkers and students who participate in sports to HHS; others will continue on the bus back to home. This may be subject to change.

• Seniors who attend Potter Career and Technical Center return to HHS after period 4; seniors who attend Harness Career and Technical Center return after period 5.

• For those students interested in graduating early (either a semester or a full year) should see their counselor as soon as possible for course planning.

•  A worthy endeavor and one of life's lessons is the ability to strike a balance between school, work and play. Keep in mind other activities and  responsibilities that you may want to pursue in addition to coursework.

Erie 1 BOCES

Erie 1 BOCES provides career and technical education to the area's component districts. Many different vocational programs are offered at either Potter Career and Technical Center located in West Seneca or at the Harkness Career and Technical Center,  located near the Buffalo International Airport. These wide-ranging programs are available to juniors and seniors only. Most programs are two years in length; the New Visions program is a one year option for honors-level seniors.