For years, a high school diploma meant one thing: passing your Regents exams. Now, New York State is redefining what that diploma should represent through a new framework called the Portrait of a Graduate. For United Charter High Schools (UCHS), this shift isn’t a surprise — it’s a direction we’ve been heading all along.
Recently introduced by the New York State Education Department, the Portrait of a Graduate outlines six core competencies every student should demonstrate before leaving high school:
- academic preparedness
- effective communication
- critical thinking
- global citizenship
- innovative problem solving
- being reflective and future focused
Starting in 2027, this framework, rather than Regents exams alone, will become the foundation of graduation requirements statewide.
For UCHS, this change is a confirmation of our innovative and rigorous program of learning. UCHS was recently featured on EdCast, an educational news program, where Chief Academic Officer Bob Hiller, Melissa Soto Assistant Principal at UCHS Advanced Math and Science (AMS) and senior Jerilyn Reyes joined host Linda Hirsch to discuss how UCHS is already putting the Portrait of a Graduate into practice.
“The competencies put equal weight on in-class academics, extracurriculars, internships, and extended learning experiences,” says Hiller. “It helps kids develop their passions and their interests, and helps students see themselves more holistically, from a strength-based approach.”
That philosophy is already playing out in classrooms across UCHS campuses. Students complete Senior Capstone Projects, authentic learning tasks tied to real-world scenarios, culminating in demonstrations of learning where students present evidence of their growth. For Jerilyn Reyes, a senior at UCHS Advanced Math and Science (AMS), the experience was personal and powerful.
“This project is mainly about yourself, not only inside of the classroom, but also outside,” she shared. “You get to show other people how you are as a person — your hobbies, your activities, your interests.”
Jerilyn’s portfolio included a photography project documenting the community of Little Italy in the Bronx, through which she developed skills in communication, storytelling, and social advocacy. She’s now completing a paid internship in marketing, just the kind of real-world experience the Portrait of a Graduate was designed to inspire.
With a 95%+ graduation rate, five schools ranked among New York State’s top 25 charter high schools by Niche, and more than two-thirds of graduates earning the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness, UCHS is proving that rigorous academics and whole-student development aren’t in competition — they’re the same mission.
Want to see the Portrait of a Graduate in action? Watch the full EdCast segment featuring UCHS’s own Bob Hiller, Melissa Soto, and Jerilyn Reyes on YouTube.
About United Charter High Schools
United Charter High Schools is a network of seven award-winning and tuition-free charter schools serving 9th-12th grade students and families across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. We are united in our mission to close the opportunity gap by ensuring equal access to rigorous STEAM and Humanities academics and unwavering support for post-secondary readiness. Get to know us at unitedcharter.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is open now.
