ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL Unique programs and pathways for student success
What s inside Introduction...3 Advanced Placement...4 Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)...5 Career and Technical Education...6-7 International Baccalaureate Program...8 Junior ROTC...9 Project Lead the Way...10 University in the High School...11 Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams (left) with Albany High School Principal and Class of 1993 graduate Jodi Commerford. 2 albanyschools.org facebook.com/albanyschools
Highlighting Albany High s unique opportunities for all students Albany High School offers students a variety of academic experiences that can t be found in other schools options that can open doors to a wealth of college and career opportunities for all students. This booklet spotlights some of these great programs, which are available to students in all four of the school s themed academies: Citizenship, Discovery, Innovation and Leadership. The acclaimed International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) programs are but two examples of opportunities Albany High offers that aren t available in most area high schools. Albany High students also have more Advanced Placement (AP) options to choose from 20 for 2019-20 than their peers at almost any other area high school. Whether earning college credit in high school, exploring a career pathway in a skilled trade or simply boosting a student s ability to succeed in an academically rigorous program, Albany High has unique offerings for every student. Check out the programs on the following pages. You also can refer to Albany High s 2019-20 Course Book to learn much more about each of these opportunities. Students, you can talk with your guidance counselor as well for more information about the programs and pathways that are best for you. twitter.com/albanyschools albanyschools.org/snn 3
Advanced Placement (AP) The Advanced Placement (AP) program gives Albany High students the chance to tackle college-level work while they re still in high school. A student who takes an AP class and performs well on the AP exam at the end of the course can earn college credit and possibly bypass required introductory college courses. Albany High offers 20 AP courses in English, foreign language, math, science, social studies and the arts. See page 13 in the Albany High 2019-20 Course Book for a complete list of AP offerings. In some cases, AP classes are taught together with International Baccalaureate classes (learn more about the International Baccalaureate program on page 8 of this booklet). The AP program was created in the 1950s and is run by the College Board, a nonprofit education corporation that also administers the SAT. The goal of AP courses is to expose students to the rigorous standards they will face in college, to increase college preparedness and to challenge students beyond regular courses. AP courses are created for the College Board by a panel of experts and collegelevel educators in that field of study. The College Board provides Albany High with the AP curriculum. Each course comes with a cost, and financial assistance is available for students from low-income families. For more information about costs and financial assistance, talk to your guidance counselor. You also can contact AP/IB Coordinators Julie Barber at jbarber@albany.k12.ny.us or Suzann Cornell at scornell@albany.k12.ny.us. 4 albanyschools.org facebook.com/albanyschools
AVID Advancement Via Individual Determination Advancement Via Individual Determination AVID for short is a national kindergarten-through-high-school initiative designed to increase the number of students who enroll and succeed in college and beyond. In the City School District of Albany, the program is currently in place in two elementary schools (Delaware Community School and North Albany Academy), all three middle schools and at Albany High School. Albany High offers a one-credit AVID elective class for each grade. Three days a week, students focus on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading. On the other two days, students meet for tutoring in small groups for help on schoolwork in challenging classes. In addition, classes feature outside speakers representing a variety of careers. AVID students in grades 10-12 take college trips to campuses across the state. Incoming ninth-grade AVID students participate in a three-week summer program on the University at Albany campus. AVID has had great success nationwide in narrowing the achievement gap. This persistent gap in academic performance exists between African-American and Hispanic students and their white peers. There is a similar academic disparity between students from poor families and those who are better off financially. AVID students are more likely to take and succeed in rigorous high school classes and attend college. For more information about Albany High s AVID program, talk to a guidance counselor. You also can contact College and Career Coordinator Joe Fesel at jfesel@albany.k12.ny.us. twitter.com/albanyschools albanyschools.org/snn 5
Career and Technical Education Albany High School offers 21st-century career and technical education (CTE) programming that ranges from students taking single classes in an area of interest to students completing a career pathway. Students enter pathways in skilled trades, applied sciences and technology that prepares students for an entry-level job, college or both. CTE subject areas that students can take include automotive technology, business, construction technology, cosmetology, culinary arts, human services, health sciences, theater arts and preengineering. Albany High students can complete one of 10 CTE pathways. Seven are endorsed by the New York State Education Department. Three are in the process of getting state endorsement, a professional Good Housekeeping seal of approval indicating that students who complete the program have mastered entry-level industry standards through hands-on class study, book learning and on-the-job training. Some of Albany High s CTE classes take place at Abrookin Career and Technical Center, located two blocks away. The 10 CTE subject areas and pathways are: Automotive technology (state-approved) Business/accounting (state approval process) Business/administrative professional (stateapproved) Construction technology (state-approved) Cosmetology (state-approved) Culinary arts (state-approved) Family and consumer sciences: human services (state approval process) Health sciences/certified nursing assistant (state-approved) Pre-Engineering (state-approved) Theater arts (state approval process) 6 albanyschools.org facebook.com/albanyschools
Students in CTE programs have the potential to earn a Technical Endorsement on their diploma, which demonstrates that they have developed technical skills and a high level of competency in that field. Students earn the endorsement by meeting the following requirements: Completing a three-year CTE program; Earning 22 New York State required credits; Passing five Regents exams; and Passing all categories of a technical assessment. Albany High seniors also have the opportunity to take part in work-based learning through the Career Exploration Internship and the Career and Technical Education Cooperative Work Experience programs. Both offer students an opportunity to be part of a work environment in a career of interest. Student internships are available in careers including accounting, biology, criminal justice, child care, engineering, journalism, heath care, law, medicine and teaching. Learn more about CTE offerings on page 32 of the Albany High 2019-20 Course Book, or talk to a guidance counselor. You also can contact Abrookin House Principal Andrea Marques at amarques@albany.k12.ny.us. twitter.com/albanyschools albanyschools.org/snn 7
International Baccalaureate Program Albany High School is an IB School, meaning it is accredited to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. The IB program is recognized worldwide as a rigorous and intensive series of college-level courses taken by motivated students. At Albany High, the program begins in a student s junior year. Students can either take individual IB classes or pursue an IB diploma. A student who takes an IB class and successfully completes its course requirements receives an IB certificate. IB classes may qualify for college credit or possibly bypass introductory courses in college. To earn an IB diploma, a student is required to take three one-year standard-level classes and three two-year higher-level classes. Students also must take a Theory of Knowledge class both junior and senior year and complete an extended essay on a research topic of their choice. Students must plan and carry out a community service project as well. Finally, students must successfully complete IB exams in each class they study. IB classes generally are more writing-intensive and have more of a global focus than Advanced Placement classes (learn more about AP classes on page 4). However, their subjects overlap and on occasion they are taught together. Albany High currently offers 19 IB courses based on demand. See page 16 in the Albany High 2019-20 Course Book for a complete list of IB courses. Each course comes with a cost. Financial assistance is available. For more information about costs and financial assistance, talk to a guidance counselor or contact AP/IB Coordinators Julie Barber at jbarber@albany.k12.ny.us or Suzann Cornell at scornell@albany.k12.ny.us. The City School District of Albany also is considering creating an IB elementary school, an IB middle school or both. 8 albanyschools.org facebook.com/albanyschools
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps JROTC Albany High School s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC) program prepares students for leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities and privileges as American citizens. A one-credit JROTC class meets every day throughout the school year. Instruction focuses on leadership education training leadership development, self-discipline, selfconfidence, organizational skills, goal-setting, physical fitness and career exploration. JROTC classes are taught by veteran military instructors. Extracurricular activities include color guard, drill team, rifle team and participation in community events and activities. JROTC does not obligate any student to enter the military at any level. Neither does the JROTC program recruit students for any military service. However, some students do decide that they will enter the military upon graduation and their JROTC experience is an advantage. Learn more about JROTC on page 46 of the Albany High 2019-20 Course Book, or contact Maj. David Erickson at derickson@albany.k12.ny.us. twitter.com/albanyschools albanyschools.org/snn 9
Project Lead the Way Project Lead the Way is an elective program for students interested in technology, whether they re considering a high-tech career or want to learn more about: Computer-aided design and drawing Robotics Mechanical engineering Electrical engineering Other technology Project Lead the Way students apply science, technology, engineering and math to solve complex, open-ended problems in a real-world context. Students either can take individual courses or get on a career and technical education pathway in preengineering (see pages 6-7 to learn more about this). Students also can take courses for college credit at Rochester Institute of Technology (see next page for more information about University in the High School opportunities). Examples of Project Lead the Way courses: Civil Engineering Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Design and Drawing Production Digital Electronics Engineering Design and Development Project Lead the Way is a national organization that provides science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs to schools across the country. Project Lead the Way courses feature hands-on, real-world activities, projects and problems that help students understand how what they learn in the classroom can be applied to everyday life. Talk to a guidance counselor for more information about Project Lead the Way at Albany High, or learn about the program on page 68 of the Albany High 2019-20 Course Book. You also can contact teacher Brent Cady at bcady1@albany.k12.ny.us. 10 albanyschools.org facebook.com/albanyschools
University in the High School Albany High School students can earn college credits at a significantly reduced cost or no cost through a program known as University in the High School. In the program, students take a class or classes at Albany High but get credit from a specific college or university. This dual enrollment can result in college credit from The College of Saint Rose, Hudson Valley Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY College at Potsdam or the University at Albany. Each course comes with a cost, although the amount is significantly lower than what a full-time college student would pay. Depending on the college, the cost might be further reduced or free for students from lowincome families. For more information about costs, fee waivers or reductions, talk to your guidance counselor. Credits earned in University in the High School are transferable to most colleges and universities with some exceptions. Students taking these courses at Albany High have the option to take the college credit portion, but it is not required. Students who don t take the courses for college credit still can remain in the class at Albany High for high school credit. Students can get a list of University in the High School courses from a guidance counselor, or contact College and Career Coordinator Joe Fesel at jfesel@albany.k12.ny.us. twitter.com/albanyschools albanyschools.org/snn 11
ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL 700 Washington Ave. (518) 475-6200 Abrookin Career and Technical Center: (518) 475-6400 Citizenship Academy: (518) 475-6220 Discovery Academy: (518) 475-6230 Innovation Academy: (518) 475-6240 Leadership Academy: (518) 475-6250 Four unique academies. One great education.