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Beginning with the next academic school year, Bronxville High School will feature a rotating slate of electives for students, a new sequence in the mathematics program and changes to advanced physics classes.
According to Schools Superintendent David Quattrone, the plan will serve as a way to manage the anticipated increases in enrollment and class size. As early as 2017, the district is anticipating a high school enrollment of 575, a 13 percent increase from the 509 students enrolled this year.
“The rotation of electives frees up staff for other assignments and also increases that an otherwise under-enrolled elective will remain viable,” he said.
For the 2014-15 academic year, electives will include TV/video production and psychology (a social studies discipline), environmental science and Advanced Placement statistics. The following year will introduce business management, debate, forensic and computer science classes.
Meyer said that there will also be physical education electives available for upperclassmen, including classes in sports psychology and social issues in sport.
“The high school enrollment has been increasing steadily and is projected to continue to do so in the next four years,” she said while presenting the changes to the Board of Education. “The high school has introduced electives over the past few years to increase student choice and provide opportunities for study in a variety of areas.”
The new mathematics program will help align the district with the Common Core. The updated sequence will see students taking the algebra Regents exam in high school in an effort not to require them to take multiple math Regents. The change will swap the content of geometry and algebra II courses, while still leading to an advanced calculus track.
Advanced Placement physics B will also be required to be taken over a two-year span. By committing to the two-year course, students will be limited in other science disciplines. In place of the advanced physics course, the district will introduce “Advanced Topics in physics, with an Introduction to engineering,” a course that will cover many of the same concepts using application-based lessons.
The implementation of the new state-mandated Common Core Learning Standards in schools has been a focal point of local and state politicians and districts. Three state Assembly members called on the state Board of Regents to slow down, while other local districts have already started altering their curriculum to accommodate the new standards.
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