Schoharie Schools: Offering students more than a basic education
Today’s graduate needs much more than a basic education. Beyond the state-mandated core curriculum, Schoharie Central School provides:
- Full-day kindergarten, including an additional classroom this year to maintain age-appropriate class sizes
- A focus on early literacy, laying the foundation for long-term academic achievement, including a joint venture through which SCS hosts two HeadStart classrooms
- 17 high school classes for which students can earn college credit, including four advanced placement (AP) classes and 13 University in the High School classes
- Additional AP classes provided through funding from the Virtual AP Grant
- A network of specialized programs and services to provide extra help for students who struggle in grades K-12
- Computer lab access for students in all grade levels
- WiFi throughout SCS buildings, filtered for safety and appropriateness, and available to SCS guests
- Electronic learning tools such as SMARTBoards, document cameras and a 3-D projector, that help teachers reach children who respond to different learning styles and increase class participation
Small Schools, Big Learning
Numerous college-level courses
At the high school level, Schoharie offers college-level Advanced Placement (AP) and University in the High School courses that allow students to build knowledge, their transcripts and earn valuable college credits. Such courses include:
- Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry
- AP English Literature
- AP Psychology
- University in the High School (UHS) Pre-Calculus
- UHS Calculus I
- UHS Spanish IV
- UHS Financial Accounting
- UHS Micro Computer Applications
- UHS Business Law
- UHS Statistics
- UHS English Composition
- UHS Readings in Literature
- UHS History I & II
- UHS Chemistry
- UHS Multimedia Applications
Agricultural education
In addition to traditional academic offerings, the district offers unique programs such as agricultural courses, which benefit not only Schoharie students, but also those from other schools who take the SCS classes through distance learning. An active Schoharie Valley FFA chapter provides opportunities for students from SCS and surrounding districts to put their knowledge into practice while acquiring leadership and networking skills and exploring college and career options.
Career and pre-college study opportunities
Schoharie High School students seeking challenging study of the medical and legal fields may enroll in the Capital Region BOCES New Visions programs, which offer college-level courses for high school seniors. A wide array of career and technical education (CTE) programs, from foundational courses through advanced, national certification and college-level study, are available to students through the BOCES CTE schools.
New elementary curricula
At the elementary level, new math and English language arts curricula provide all types of learners with engaging learning programs. History, the arts, physical education, health – all are taught by a talented instructional staff that gets to know each student in our small school community.
STEAM, electives and more
At all grade levels, curricula and activities bolster learning in – and enjoyment of – science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).
Elective courses, the performing arts, athletics, clubs and a variety of afterschool activities offer students the opportunity to pursue further interests as well as grow their interpersonal and social skills.
After-school activities
A wealth of after-school offerings including clubs, performing arts, sports teams and athletic activities keep students of all ages engaged and involved.
Opportunities for parental and family involvement include the Elementary School Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (EPTSO), an All Sports Booster Club and more.
Grade Promotion and Placement Policy
A student must be noted as present 85% of a course’s scheduled classes in order to earn credit. This equates to 153 days present and 27 absences for a full year course. For a half-year course this would be 76 days present and 14 days absent.
View the complete Board Policy #7110 COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY can be found on our BoardDocs website..
The procedures to be followed by the staff regarding promotion and retention will be developed by the Superintendent and will be continually evaluated in the light of School District policy.
Building principals may establish written standards for promotion or retention within the school units to which the students are assigned, subject to the guidelines of the Superintendent and the approval of the Board of Education.
View the complete Board Policy #7210 STUDENT EVALUATION can be found on our BoardDocs website..
Title I – Parents’ Right to Know
As a parent of a student in the Schoharie Central School District, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teacher(s) who instructs your child. Federal law allows you to ask for certain information about your child’s classroom teacher(s). Specifically, you have the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teacher(s):
- Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides the instruction;
- Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
- The teacher’s college major and whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degree.
- Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
View more information about Title I funding on our Title I page, or consult the complete Board policies regarding Title I funding.
- Policy #5550 MAINTENANCE OF FISCAL EFFORT (TITLE I PROGRAMS) can be found on our BoardDocs website.
- Policy #8260 PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS FUNDED BY TITLE I can be found on our BoardDocs website.
- Policy #8261 TITLE I PARENT INVOLVEMENT POLICY can be found on our BoardDocs website.
Academics Links
Curriculum & Pupil Personnel Services
Matthew L. Wright, Director of Curriculum and Pupil Personnel Services
Phone: (518) 295-6657
Fax: (518) 295-9514
Making numbers count: How educators use data to guide instruction & improve learning
Just like doctors use data and analysis to make decisions about patient care, teachers and school leaders collect information every day about students to ensure a successful learning experience. In fact, data and analysis are key to everything that goes on inside a school facility—from how a building is designed and the way services are provided to decisions about curriculum and technology.
Educators use a variety of methods and tools to gain a better picture of what a student’s needs might be. Such information helps them understand which instructional strategies are working and where more support and alternative strategies are required.
NYS Academic Standards
Learning standards adopted by New York in 2011 are composed of the Common Core State Standards – national academic standards developed by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers – along with a set of additional standards.
Information & resources
Next Generation Learning Standards
The New York State Next Generation Learning Standards are the educational goals for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for students in pre-K through grade 12.
New York State Education Department
The New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) are internationally-benchmarked and evidence-based standards. These standards serve as a consistent set of expectations for what students should learn and be able to do, so that we can ensure that every student across New York State is on track for college and career readiness.
Learn more about the State Education Department’s work with Standards and Instruction.
The Hunt Institute
The Hunt Institute YouTube channel offers videos about Common Core State Standards.
Providing feedback on Common Core and state assessments
The State Education Department Office of Standards and Instruction welcomes feedback and questions. Visit the Office of Standards and Instruction Contact Information page.