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Academics
Students are given a strong academically oriented educational program. Our program starts with a more structured seventh grade offering and gradually increases the number of elective choices that each student makes as they reach ninth grade.
Academic News:
Team Concept:
- Students are assigned to one of seven academic teams, providing the best learning environment for our students.
- Teams consist of four academic area teachers: math, communications, social studies, and science, plus one guidance counselor.
- Teams meet twice a cycle to discuss students’ needs.
- Parents are encouraged to attend team meetings to complete the partnership between home and school.
Course Information Guide: Select a topic below for more information.
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Class Rank
All ninth grade courses will be counted towards the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) from which high school Class Rank is derived. Honors courses: If a student achieves a “B” or “A” in an honors course, the GPA will be raised 0.1.
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Procedure for Course Selection
Guidance counselors will speak to students about the course selection process. Students will learn how to use this “Program of Academic Studies” and the Course Selection Worksheet. Students will also learn about the required courses and electives they may choose. All students are required to be scheduled for a minimum of 42 instructional periods out of the 48 periods in the six-day cycle. Counselors will provide opportunities for students to ask questions about the course selection process.
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Counseling Services
Counseling services are aimed at helping each student to have the most successful school experience possible. Students are encouraged to expand their knowledge by building upon previous experiences, developing a deeper understanding of their strengths and needs, and gaining an understanding of themselves and their relationship to the changing world in which they live.
Students may arrange for a conference with their guidance counselor by completing an appointment form in the office. If the need for an appointment is urgent, students are asked to alert the secretary who will see that a counselor contacts the student as soon as possible. Parents who wish to speak to a counselor or schedule an appointment should call the guidance office.
For more information, refer to the:
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Promotion Guidelines-Grades 7 & 8
Students in seventh grade must pass math, English, science, social studies and reading in order to be promoted to eighth grade.
Students in eighth grade must pass math, English, science, social studies, geography and wellness in order to be promoted to ninth grade.
The Boyertown Area School District also has a ten-book reading requirement which must be fulfilled to be promoted to the next grade level.
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Curriculum Regulations and Standards
On January 16, 1999 the Pennsylvania State Board of Education passed Chapter 4: Curriculum Regulations. This action established academic standards in reading, writing, speaking, listening and mathematics. Academic standards are those things that students should know and be able to do.
All students are being assessed on these standards with the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA). Beginning with the graduating class of 2003, state seals will be affixed to a Boyertown Area High School student’s diploma and indicating on his/her transcript a level of proficiency or better on these assessments. It is very important for your son/daughter to work diligently and to do his/her best on the PSSA tests.
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Promotion Guidelines-Grade 9
Students must pass English, math, science, social studies, wellness, and geography in grade eight to be promoted to grade nine. If a student is declared eligible for Summer School, those courses must be satisfactorily completed in order for the student to be promoted.
In order to be promoted from one grade to the next students must pass the following minimum number of credits, accumulating them as follows:
9th Grade - 5.5 credits = 5.5 Credits
10th Grade - 6 credits = 11.5 Credits
11th Grade - 6 credits = 17.5 Credits
12th Grade - 6.5 credits = 24 Credits
The Boyertown Area School District also has a ten-book reading requirement which must be fulfilled to be promoted to the next grade level.
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Graduation Requirements
As students select classes for ninth grade, it is important to know that these credits will count towards a student's requirements for high school graduation. Graduation from Boyertown Area Senior High School involves the accumulation of the credits.
For a full axplaination, follow the link below:
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Six-Day Cycle
In Junior High School, students are scheduled for classes within a six-day cycle. Rather than scheduling certain classes for Monday and Thursday each week, a 2 periods/cycle class may be scheduled for “days 2 and 5” or “days 3 and 6”, and a 3 periods/cycle class may be scheduled for “days 1, 3, and 5”. In the event of a school closing (e.g. snow day), the scheduled number day is lost and we move to the next number in the cycle.
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Honors Courses
If a student is considering the honors level courses, s/he must understand that these courses are intended for responsible, motivated and self-directed students who are interested in an enriched experience in a specific subject area. A student must have the ability and desire to cope with the increased academic demands and requirements of these courses. Teachers will recommend students who, based on their performance and achievement, are likely to succeed in honors courses.
Recommendation Criteria:
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Classroom Performance
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Quarterly Grades
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Mid Term /Final Exams
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Standardized Test Scores
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Special Education
The Learning Support program is designed to meet the academic and social/emotional needs of exceptional students. Improving basic reading, English, math, science, and social studies is emphasized. Instructional modifications and adaptations are designed to meet the individual’s educational needs. The IEP may include a behavior management program to develop, increase, and/or maintain skills that will enhance an individual’s opportunity for learning.
In order to meet the criteria for special education consideration, a multidisciplinary team convenes to complete a Comprehensive Evaluation and to provide recommendations to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team. The IEP Team will determine the student’s eligibility and if the student is determined to need specially designed instruction, the IEP team will provide the exceptional student the most appropriate educational program and placement. An exceptional student’s program and placement is re-evaluated every two years in order to assure the most appropriate educational program and placement.
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