Hudson Falls Central School District

EARLY COLLEGE CAREER ACADEMY (ECCA)
Begins Junior Year

The Early College Career Academy: An Early College High School Program, is a partnership between SUNY Adirondack and the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES. Students are eligible to earn up to 32 college credits, tuition-free, while earning marketable industry credentials and participating in work-based learning experiences. The programs begin in your junior year of high school.

These two-year programs offer the following pathways:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Information Technology/Computer Networking
• New Media

 

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PROGRAMME
Juniors and Seniors

Through a partnership with the Queensbury Union Free School District at Queensbury High School, Hudson Falls students in their junior and senior years can participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP). Students will spend their junior and senior years at QHS for a full-day program.

The IB DP is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program of education with final examinations that prepare students for success at the university level and beyond. The program is taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. IB Diploma students study six academic areas over two years, for which they are awarded points. Students complete assessment tasks in the classroom, which are scored by their teachers, and then moderated by IB. In addition, students take written examinations at the end of the program, which are marked by external IB examiners.

 

NEW VISIONS
Seniors

Enrollment in the academically rigorous New Visions programs is limited to seniors who meet established admissions criteria. Admission to New Visions Programs is very competitive. Each program involves 3.5 hours of study each day and carries four units of credit. Students are responsible for their own transportation.

New Visions Engineering
An academically rigorous one-year program for college bound high school seniors who plan to major in an engineering discipline. Students receive instruction in AP Calculus, AP Physics, and various engineering principles. Students explore the world of engineering through hands-on projects that integrate academics and engineering concepts. Job shadowing opportunities and site visits are coordinated throughout the school year enabling the students to see the activities and responsibilities related to various engineering disciplines.

New Visions Engineering students regularly attend class at the Southern Adirondack Education Center in a classroom equipped with a computer for each student, a CNC and vertical mill, a wind tunnel, miter saw, workbenches and tool chests, and a designated lecture area. Physics labs are conducted on the campus of SUNY Adirondack where a state-of-the-art lab is made accessible. SUNY Adirondack provides invaluable support for this laboratory requirement. Successful completion of Pre-Calculus is a requirement for this program.

New Visions Health Careers Exploration
An academically rigorous one-year program for college-bound high school seniors who plan to major in pre-med, chemistry, biology or other allied health fields. Students learn and observe in a hospital setting from physicians and physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, registered nurses, and a wide range of other health care professionals. The academic curriculum is combined with clinical experience to provide students with a rich and rewarding learning opportunity. Students meet for 3.5 hours daily, attending classroom instruction two days per week and clinical rotations in a variety of health professions the other three days. Clinical rotations are assigned at Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, Wesley Health Care Center, and several private practices and clinics throughout the region. Students observe acute and routine medical procedures, as well as provide ancillary support services to patients. 

 

PTECH at SUNY ADK
Begins Freshman Year

PTECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) is a unique six-year program that gives high school students the experiences, practical skills, qualifications, and credentials they need to secure rewarding careers in technology-based industries. The Southern Adirondack PTECH is a partnership between your high school, WSWHE BOCES, SUNY Adirondack, and many local industries. PTECH students are incoming ninth graders who will, in parallel, earn a Regents high school diploma from your high school and an associate degree from SUNY Adirondack at no cost to your family.

Students who participate in the Southern Adirondack PTECH program will be dually enrolled in high school and SUNY Adirondack as matriculated students. Students must enroll at the start of their ninth-grade year. Freshman and sophomore students are required to participate in 25 hours of Extended Learning Opportunities (Bridge Activities) throughout the school year. Extended Learning Opportunities include field trips, afterschool enrichment and Saturday Seminars. In addition, students are required to attend a one-week Summer STEM Camp located at the SUNY Adirondack Queensbury Campus. Beginning in the junior year, half of the day will consist of college and Career and Technical Education courses on SUNY Adirondack’s campus; the other half will include Regents-level courses at the home school. Every student will be provided with a laptop, notebook, or tablet (1:1 technology). The college portion of the half-day sequence for high school juniors and seniors will be co-taught by college professors and a BOCES Career and Technical Education instructor. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fundamentals will be taught in a connected, collaborative environment, with time devoted to hands-on learning using state-of-the-art equipment.

The two pathways for PTECH are:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Information Technology/Computer Networking

 

WSWHE BOCES CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE)
Applications Due: March of Sophomore Year

WSWHE BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs provide hands-on learners an opportunity to master academic and technical skills within a subject that interests them and leads to a rewarding career. BOCES CTE programs are offered as half-day programs over the course of a student’s junior and senior year. Applications are due in March of Sophomore year. To be eligible, a student must be on track to graduate and attend school regularly. Hudson Falls students may attend either the SAEC or Myers Center in the morning or afternoon, depending on the BOCES lottery.

CTE Programs

• Auto Body Repair
• Automotive Technology
• Construction Trades
• Cosmetology
• Criminal Justice Studies
• Culinary Arts & Hospitality
• Early Childhood Education
• Environmental Conservation & Forestry
• Graphic & Visual Communications
• Health Occupations
• HVAC-R
• Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance
• Horse Care
• Horticulture, Landscaping, & Floral Design
• Machine Tool Technology
• Power Sports Technology
• Service Level Programs
• Hospitality & Human Services
• Technical & Trade Services
• Small Animal Science
• Welding

Our grading guidelines are designed to provide clear and consistent feedback that accurately reflects student learning and growth. These standards help students, families, and teachers work together to support academic success and prepare students for their future goals.

GRADING SYSTEM
Hudson Falls has a numerical grading system that ranges from 0 to 100, with a passing grade of 65. Both rank and cumulative averages are calculated using all courses, including accelerated courses from eighth grade. Hudson Falls has been creating sealed transcripts that communicate student performance with an unweighted grade point average (GPA) and weighted rank. Courses listed in this guide with an asterisk (*) are weighted in the weighted GPA calculation. Class rank is based on a weighted average. Student GPA is an unweighted average.

 

STUDENT RANKING
Students will be ranked in their class based on “weighted” grades, giving greater emphasis to more challenging courses. Starting with the class of 2010, a composite index average will be used to determine class rank. The composite index will be comprised of the quality point average for the coursework included in the advanced Regents diploma requirements, added to the straight arithmetic mean. Courses with the highest quality point total will be automatically substituted for students who have coursework that exceeds the advanced Regents diploma requirements. For the purpose of the honor roll and academic average, a straight arithmetic mean of grades will be used. Physical education and driver education courses are not factored into class rank. Below is listed the numerical weighting of each class, as categorized by two levels of difficulty:

 

Level 1 Courses:

English 9R

English 10R

English 11R

English 12

Public Speaking

Survey of Humanities

Chlidren’s Literature

Earth Science

Biology

Chemistry

Environmental Science

Explorations in STEM

Forensics

Food Science

Intro to Agriculture

Animal Science

Plant Science

Anatomy and Physiology

Creative Cooking

Gourmet Foods

International Foods

Accounting

Business Math

Business Computer Apps

Sports Marketing

Social Studies 9R

Social Studies 10R

Social Studies 11R

Social Studies 12

Vietnam War

Civil Rights in America

Psychology

Sociology

French 1, 2, 3

Spanish 1, 2, 3

Hispanic Appreciation

Flavors of Latin America

Hispanic Appreciation

Band

Choir

Orchestra

Music Appreciation

Studio in Art

Studio in Drawing & Painting

Exploration of Art

Advertising Design 1 & 2

Ceramics

Advanced Ceramics

Photography 1 & 2

Advanced Art

Printmaking

Watercolor

Advanced Ceramics

Sculpture

Algebra 1

Algebra 1A

Algebra 1B

Geometry

Applied Math

Algebra 2

Algebra 2A

Algebra 2B

Pre-Calculus

Computer Programming

Applied Math

Manufacturing Systems

Energy Systems

Design & Drawing 1 & 2

Pre-Engineering

Power Mechanics

Introduction to Engineering

Design CIMS

Health

Physical Education

Lifeguarding, American Red Cross Certification

All BOCES CTE Courses

 

Level 2 Courses:

English 9 H

English 10 H

English 11 H

English 12 AP

English 101/102

Advanced Biology

Earth Science Honors

Physics

Science Research

World History 9 H

World History 10 AP

College American History 103/104

Intro to Public Policy (SUPA)

Economic Ideas and Issues (SUPA)

French 4, 5

Spanish 4, 5

IB courses

New Visions

Algebra 1H

Geometry H

Algebra 2H

Pre-Calculus H

AP Pre-Calc

AP Calculus

AP Computer Science

ECHS Adv. Manufacturing College Courses

ECHS IT Systems College Courses

Intro to Personal Finance (SUNY ADK)

 

Quality Points
As part of our District’s Mission and Vision, Hudson Falls believes in both broad opportunities and high expectations. One spot where this belief is embedded is in our GPA calculations. Hudson Falls uses a system of “Quality Points” to give added weight to our more challenging courses. Our intention is twofold. We want to encourage students to take more academically demanding courses. And, secondly, we do not want to penalize students who are challenging themselves and may score lower in these more demanding courses. By adding a larger multiplier or weight to the Level II courses, we aim to incentivize enrollment and offset any possible lower scores. Please challenge yourself when you can.

 

HONOR ROLL/MERIT ROLL CRITERIA
Academic accomplishments are recognized each marking period. All courses will be considered, using an unweighted average. Academic recognition listings are as follows:

Honor Roll: 89.445-100.000
Merit Roll: 84.445-89.444

 

HONORS GRADUATES
Honors graduates are recognized each year in May. Honor grads maintain a 90% or higher cumulative GPA (weighted) through the end of the third quarter of senior year.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
The Sandy Hill Chapter of the National Honor Society enrolls new students in the fall. The selection process is outlined below.

A list of academically eligible students is generated by the guidance office. The minimum academic standard is an 87 cumulative GPA. This minimum must be applied fairly and consistently to all candidates.

Students who are eligible scholastically (“candidates”) are notified that for further consideration for selection to the chapter, they must complete the Student Activity Information Form. For consideration, students must:

– Demonstrate volunteer hours (service)

– Demonstrate an excellent record of behavior (character) in and out of school

– Demonstrate leadership roles in school and/or community activities (leadership)

– Be enrolled as an 11th- or 12th-grade student

The actual selection of new members will be made by a vote of the appointed members of the Faculty Council. All faculty members will be invited to make comments on candidates. The Faculty Council may take this information into consideration when reviewing the candidates. In addition, attendance and disciplinary referral records will be reviewed by the Faculty Council. Personal interviews for membership consideration may be conducted if the Faculty Council chooses to do so. Candidates are rated on an objective rubric and those that meet the minimum score established by the faculty council should be invited for induction into the chapter. Those candidates who are not selected may be eligible for induction the following year if the criteria is met at that time.

Prior to notification of any candidates, the principal may be informed of the results for the purpose of administrative approval.

Formal notification of all selected students and their parents is recommended and will include information about the induction ceremony. Notification of candidates not selected will be timely and considerate.

Membership will not be officially bestowed until the candidate takes part in the induction. NHS members are required to maintain an 87% GPA, log 15 service hours per year, and continue to show good character and leadership skills.