2021-2022 Curriculum Guide

GCSD District Mission Statement

To inspire all students to be active life-long learners, able to achieve their highest potential in a demanding and ever-changing global community.

Table of Contents

Download and print the 2021-22 GHS Curriculum Guide


Course Descriptions

Art and Design
Business
Career & Tech Education
English
Mathematics
Miscellaneous
Music
Physical Education
Health
Reading & Library Information
Science
Social Studies
Technology Education
World Languages & Cultures

Timeline for Planning

  • December 2021: High School Curriculum Handbook is available online.
    Teachers at the high school begin recommending students for classes for the 2022-2023 school year.
  • Jan. 4-7, 2022: Grades 9 and 10 scheduling begins
  • Jan. 6 – Feb. 14: 2022; Grade 8 scheduling begins
  • Jan. 11-14, 2022: Grade 11 scheduling beings
  • March 31, 2022: Last day to make course request changes
  • May & June 2022: Class conflict resolutions are made
  • June 19, 2022: Last day to submit course change requests
  • Add/drop period: Course changes must be made before class meets for the fourth time.

Graduation and Testing Requirements 

Course Requirements

Each student must earn at least 22 credits to graduate from Guilderland High School. This consists of getting a grade of 65 or higher in all of the following:

  • 4 units of English
  • 4 units of Social Studies
  • 3 units of Math
  • 3 units of Science
  • 1 unit of World Languages and Cultures
  • 1 unit of Fine Arts
  • ½ unit of health
  • 2 units of Physical Education
  • 3 ½ units of electives to total 22 units

Additionally, each student must pass 5 Regents exams with a score of 65 or higher in order to earn a Regents diploma. This includes:

  • Algebra
  • Science (typically either Biology or Earth Science)
  • Global History
  • English
  • US History

In order to earn an Advanced Regents diploma, students must pass all of the above exams plus the following additional exams:

  • Geometry
  • Algebra 2
  • Another science
  • World Languages and Culture (or replace this with a five-unit sequence in art, music or career and technical education)

Course Levels

Advanced Placement and College Level Courses

College-level courses prepared by the College Entrance Board and local colleges (RIT, SUNY, SUNY Schenectady, HVCC, Albany College of Pharmacy, Siena and Syracuse) are offered at the high school. Successful completion of the course and appropriate exams, in addition to payment of tuition fees by the student, entitle the student to credit for the course at the participating college. Advanced Placement tests are given in mid-May. These AP tests are open to any college-bound student for a nominal fee. Seniors are encouraged to discuss taking these AP exams with their school counselor.  

Many colleges give credit toward graduation to students who achieve high scores on AP or college written tests. Complete information on the AP program and on the college courses offered is available through the school counselor.

Advanced Sequential Courses

Students may choose a rigorous pathway of advanced sequential courses in a specific area (e.g. Music, Visual Art, Media Art, World Languages and Cultures, Business, Technology, or Career and Technical Education). Emphasis is placed on the quality of achievement. Assessments vary in each subject area and may, or may not include, an Advanced Placement Exam, Regents Exam, Portfolio, or CTE Designation.

Honors Courses (H)

Honors level courses are designed to challenge students by providing enrichment through in-depth study. Emphasis is placed on the quality of achievement. Students in Honors level courses will take Regents examinations whenever they are offered in that subject.

Regents Courses (R)

Courses at this level meet the New York State Regents standards. Average to above-average students successfully completing these courses are well prepared to pursue higher education.

Examinations

Advanced Placement Examinations 

These college-level tests are given in May and are open to all students; however, there are AP classes for most students who take these tests. Test results are generally received by the school in July and therefore are not computed into a student’s final class average. Depending on the respective college policy, students may receive college credit for successful completion of an AP course. There is a student fee payable to the College Entrance Board (of approximately $95 per examination).

Regents Examinations

All students enrolled in classes that culminate in a Regents exam take these tests, which are prepared by the New York State Department of Education.

Local Examinations

These tests are locally prepared examinations, which are approved by the curriculum supervisors in the respective department and are used when Regents examinations are not specifically offered.

Policies

Auditing a course 

A course audited is listed on the permanent record card as an “Audit” with no credit issued. Students may audit courses under special circumstances. The “Audit Course Request” form is available from the counselor and must be signed by the student, parent and department supervisor prior to the beginning of the course. Students requesting to audit a course are expected to complete all of the work assigned.

Doubling

In grades 9-11, students may not take two courses simultaneously in the same academic area where one is the prerequisite for the other. An exception is made for the “bona fide” accelerated student and for physical education make-up.

Course Drop/Add

All the underclassmen may drop a course only if it is replaced by another course. Course changes must be made before the class meets for the fourth time. This policy will also apply to seniors carrying a six-class load. 

NCAA Eligibility

The NCAA has strict academic eligibility requirements for prospective students/athletes to participate in Division I and II intercollegiate athletics. Students and parents are responsible to check www.ncaaclearinghouse.net, for up-to-date course eligibility requirements.

The following courses will not meet the NCAA requirements for English: 
Acting and Directing
Advanced Acting
Arts/English
Cinema as Literature
Journalism
Digital Broadcasting: News & Sports
Screenwriting 

The following courses will not meet the NCAA requirements for Math:
Accounting/College Accounting
Applied Math 1
Applied Algebra 2 & Trig.
Applied Geometry
Computer Programming (Python & Java)
Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science
Intro to Game Design
 

The following courses will not meet the NCAA requirements for Science:
Health Sciences
Nursing
Pharmaceutical Science
Physical Therapy
Natural Disasters

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