SHS Curriculum Guide / Course Selection Information (2024)

Syosset Central School Dist
Course Selection Information

COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION
The online Syosset High School Curriculum Guide provides important information about graduation requirements and the curriculum offered in grades nine through twelve at Syosset High School.While following the recommendations of the New York State Education Department, Syosset High School provides for all students through differentiated levels of instruction and a wide range of electives. Selection of courses should be made only after careful consideration of educational and career goals. Since there are many variables that affect the decision-making process, students should consult with their parents, teachers and guidance counselors before making final choices.

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The New York State Board of Regents mandates the requirements listed below. It is important to become familiar with the specific requirements for your class. MINIMUM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS – CLASS OF 2019 - 2022:

Required (Core) Subjects	Local and Regents Diploma	Advanced Regents Diploma
English	4.0 Units	4.0 Units
Social Studies	4.0 Units	4.0 Units
Mathematics	3.0 Units	3.0 Units
Science	3.0 Units	3.0 Units
World Language	1.0 Unit	3.0 Units (*2)
Health	0.5 Unit	0.5 Unit
The Arts	1.0 Unit	1.0 Unit
Electives	3.5 Units	1.5 Units
Physical Education	2.0 Units	2.0 Units
TOTAL	22.0 Units	22.0 Units

1. Electives
  All students are expected to exceed the minimum graduation requirements. The extensive elective choices are available for students to explore their potential future paths and to be prepared for an ever-changing world. Students should look to these programs for enrichment and expansion of their knowledge base. Students should discuss these options with their Guidance Counselor.
2. Academic Load Requirements
  Seniors - five (5) periods of subjects plus physical education
  Juniors - six (6) periods of subjects plus physical education
  Sophom*ores and freshmen - eight (8) periods of subjects including physical education
  Exceptions include the work experience program, occupational education, and the internship program in independent studies. Students who are in their fifth year must take only the courses they need to graduate. For juniors and seniors, Resource Room/Instructional Support are in addition to their minimum academic load.
3. Class Standing - Class of 2019-2022
  The number of credits required to maintain class standing is as follows: Grade 10: 6.0 Credits; Grade 11: 11.0 Credits; Grade 12: 16.0 Credits
4. Valedictorian and Salutatorian
  The principal and his committee will determine the valedictorian and salutatorian by reviewing the academic records at the conclusion of the fall semester of the twelfth grade. If, however, there is no clear distinction, the determination will not be made until the third marking period. In order to be considered for the distinction of valedictorian or salutatorian, a student must have been in attendance in Syosset High School for four semesters of the seven used in this process.
5. Tracking and Acceleration
  Based on a student's achievement record and academic ability, the school will place him/her in a program in English, social studies, and world languages most suited to his/her immediate needs. Similarly, in science and mathematics, students who qualify may take certain courses a year earlier than usual.
  Students considering a change in course level after the school year begins must complete a Program Change Request Form in consultation with their counselor. If a change in course level occurs after the first marking quarter grades are issued, grades from the former class will be transferred to the new class.
  
  At the end of the course, the receiving teacher may substitute a final grade (one grade higher or lower, e.g., B+ to an A or A to B+) that more accurately reflects the student’s level of achievement. This procedure requires the approval of the department administrator and principal. A Grade Correction form must be completed and filed.
6. Prerequisites
  Please check the course descriptions for prerequisites.
It is an important function of the High School to help each student individualize course selections in order to explore interests, develop skills and meet educational or career requirements. Curriculum presentations and orientation programs are designed to provide for a more informed selection of courses. The process for planning will include the following:
1. Program Planning Day
2. Teachers make recommendations for course selections
3. Scheduled Guidance Counselor meetings with individual students to review course placements
4. Program verification forms will be made available to parents
5. Guidance Counselors will be available throughout the process to assist planning
The Advanced Placement Program provides challenging, college-level experiences that better prepare students for the demands of college work. This should be the primary reason for choosing this enriched experience. Although many of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of exam grades, Syosset High School does not guarantee that this will occur. Those decisions are determined by the policies of individual colleges and universities.

Advanced Placement examinations, which are an integral part of the experience and a requirement for use of the A.P. trademark in the course title, are administered in May. It is the expectation of Syosset High School that every A.P. student will sit for the exam in May. If a student is unable to meet this expectation, he/she should discuss it with the guidance counselor. Student concerns regarding the cost of exams, college A.P. policies, and personal college admission decisions should be raised during the course selection process, not during the May examination period. Any student who does not complete the A.P. exam for any reason will be required to complete a final exam of equal duration and difficulty.

**Students should be mindful of the number of Advanced Placement courses they take during the school. It is important to adhere to your teacher’s recommendation for placement of these courses**.
Courses sponsored by colleges such as Syracuse University, LIU, SUNY Farmingdale, SUNY Stony Brook, and Five Towns College are available in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, World Languages, Business Education, Human Ecology, Technology, and Theatre Arts. These courses provide an enriching college experience and college credit for many of our students. Although many other colleges will accept these credits, Syosset High School does not guarantee that this will occur. Those decisions are determined by the policies of individual colleges and universities. All students who choose to enroll in a college-sponsored course are required to pay the reduced tuition fees in the amount and by the deadline established by the colleges.
Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Qualifying Test (NMSQT)
The test measures Evidence Based Reading, math and writing skills that students develop over many years, both in and out of school. The test is intended to let students practice for the SAT Reasoning Test and enter the National Merit Scholarship competition. The PSAT is generally administered to students in October of junior year. A sophom*ore who is considering this exam should discuss it with their guidance counselor to determine if he/she has the background that is covered on the test.
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/inside-the-test/key-featuresSAT Test
This test measures Evidence Based Reading, writing, and mathematical skills. Scores from this test provide colleges with a way to compare the academic preparation and ability of students who apply for admission. In general, students will take the SAT Reasoning Test for Spring of their junior year. The link below provides a description of the exam:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/inside-the-test/key-features
American College Testing (ACT) Program
This test measures skills in English, mathematics, reading, science reasoning, and writing. We recommend that every student take this test with the writing section. These areas are tested because they include the major areas of instruction in most high school and college programs. Scores from the test measure how well you can perform skills necessary for college coursework. Most colleges accept ACT scores for admission and placement as readily as they do SAT scores. In general, a student should register to take the ACT Spring of their junior year. The link below provides a description of the exam:
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html
SAT Subject Tests
These tests measure knowledge or skills in a particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge. The tests are required for admissions and/or placement at some of the more competitive colleges (consult the college's catalogue or website for specific information). The course descriptions that follow will include a reference to an SAT Subject Test if one is available.
Consult the SAT Registration Bulletin or collegeboard.org for applicable test dates and registration procedures. Also, speak with your counselor if you have questions about the appropriateness of the test(s) for you.
SAT Subject Tests are administered at Syosset High School in Literature, U.S. History, World History, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, and Spanish.
The following high school courses will prepare you for an SAT Subject Test:
1330 CCSS Foundations of College English
1410 AP English Language & Comp.
2130 AP World History
2200 AP European History
2210 AP World History 2
2220 Global History 10 Regents
2300 AP U.S. History & Gov't.
2310 Project Advance U.S. History
2320 U.S. History & Gov't. 11 Regents 3040 Math Theory Honors
3360 Precalculus
3390 College Partnership Precalculus 3680 Algebra 2 CCSS Honors
4110 Living Environment Honors 4120 Living Environment Regents 4310 Chemistry Honors
4320 Chemistry Regents
4550 AP Physics 1
4560 AP Physics 2
4420 Physics
5090 French 4 Honors
5390 Italian 4 Honors
5490 Spanish 4 Honors
In addition to passing the required courses listed, New York State has established examination requirements.
1. For the Regents Diploma, student must achieve a score of 65 on the Comprehensive English CCSS examination, Integrated Algebra CCSS examination, the Global History and Geography Regents examination, the U.S. History and Government Regents examination, and one Science Regents examination.
*2. For the Advanced Regents Diploma, in addition to the above, student must achieve a minimum score of 65 on the Geometry CCSS and Algebra II CCSS examinations, an additional Science Regents examination, (Physical Setting, one Life Science), and two additional World Languages units and achieve a score of 65 on a World Languages Checkpoint B examination.
In addition, students completing a five-unit sequence in career and technical education or the arts (visual arts, communication arts, music, or theater) are not required to complete the additional two units of World Languages but must still meet the requirements for the total number of units of credit.
3. Local Diploma – Additional graduation pathways and options are available for students with disabilities. Students and parents should contact their guidance counselor and/or teacher of record for more information.
The multiple pathways to graduation are available on the NYS website:http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/multiple-pathways
4. Credential Options
a. Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential (CDOS).
This credential is available to all students other than those who are NYS Alternately Assessed
(NYSAA).
b. Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential. This credential is available to students with severe disabilities and are assessed using the NYS Alternate Assessment (NYSAA).
All students must participate in physical education each semester and earn the equivalent of two (2) credits by graduation.
- A student must have been registered and in attendance for 75% of the course during the school year in order to attend summer school. Unusual cases, due to extenuating circ*mstances, may be appealed to the high school principal.
- In order to receive credit for any summer school course, a student must obtain prior written approval.
- For courses taught in the Syosset Central School District Program, the approval of the guidance counselor or principal is required on the registration form.
- For all other programs, both the appropriate department administrator and the principal must approve the course on the out-of-district summer school form.
- Participation in accelerated six-week high school summer school programs must be approved by the appropriate department administrator and the principal prior to enrollment.
In certain courses students are expected to incur some reasonable expenses. They include materials used in the construction of projects which are kept by the students, articles of clothing appropriate to the activities in which they will participate, review books, field trips that are an integral part of the course, college tuition expenses, and Advanced Placement Exam fees. If a student cannot afford to pay for a particular item, he/she should speak with the administrator of the respective department. The expenses are listed with the course description.