Advanced Coursework Opportunities

English 9 is aligned to the New York State learning standards for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Students become more proficient readers, writers, and critical thinkers.  They strengthen analytic reading strategies of literature and literary nonfiction and write argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative texts.  They practice research skills to build and present knowledge and are introduced to MLA documentation. Students communicate effectively using logical structure and language that is grammatically correct. The course prepares students for the NYS English Regents Examination graduation requirement, which they will take at the end of their third year of high school English. 

This is a one-year credit-bearing course that counts towards a student’s mathematical commencement requirements and meets New York State’s mathematics requirements towards earning a Regents Diploma or Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. This course is aligned to the New York State Learning Standards and is intended to be the first of a four- or five-year sequence. Students will study linear equations and inequalities, linear regression models, quadratic and exponential expressions (including rational exponents), quadratic functions, and formalize and extend the concept of functions (including function notation, domain and range, and exploration of many types of functions). Algebra 1R is typically followed by Geometry R and Algebra 1A is typically followed by Geometry A. 

The Earth and Space Sciences course is based on the New York State Science Learning Standards, which in turn, are based on the national Next Generation Science Standards. The course will utilize the three-dimensional model of Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Cross-Cutting Concepts. The course will use phenomena, story lines, and hands-on activities and labs to model science concepts and to problem solve. The course will focus on topics related to Space Systems, the History of Earth, Earth’s Systems, Weather and Climate, and Human Sustainability. Students will also use the knowledge and skills of Engineering Design to problem solve. The course will have the required 1200 minutes of lab experiences, which will include the three new state Science Investigations. Earth and Space Sciences is a full year, one-credit course, that culminates in students taking the new Earth and Space Sciences Regents Exam.