Cohoes City School District > Academics

Academics

Elementary Academics

The district’s three elementary schools pride themselves on having an educational program that allows every student to grow and succeed. In addition to favorable class sizes, dedicated staff and active parents, each school offers a variety of programs that incorporate the skills students need for success throughout their education.

Elementary School program highlights:

Middle School Academics

Work hard. Be Nice.

Cohoes Middle School strives to promote academic achievement while fostering students’ social and emotional growth. To accomplish this, the middle school has a team-teaching approach, combined with strong counseling and support.

Middle School Program Highlights:

High School Academics

The wide variety of programs and opportunities available to Cohoes High School ensure students become well-rounded individuals who are college and career ready.

High School Program Highlights:

  • Future-Ready Pathways
  • Counseling Office – High School
  • Curriculum Guide
  • Honors courses for students in English, social studies and the sciences
  • Advanced Placement courses
  • Opportunities to obtain college credit through high school courses
  • Computer science and technology
  • A range of fine arts courses, including chorus and concert band
  • More than 20 clubs, including a Student Council and a drama club
  • Business work/study programs

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)

APPR stands for Annual Professional Performance Review and it is the process by which teachers and principals are evaluated in New York State. The intent of APPR is to assist educators to improve the quality of instruction in schools and, in turn, to improve students’ performance and readiness for colleges and careers. District APPR plans must meet strict state guidelines and be negotiated with local unions. Under state guidelines, APPR takes into account classroom observations and student performance. Teachers and principals across New York ultimately receive an overall effectiveness rating every year.

Next Generation Learning Standards

In September 2017, the Board of Regents adopted the Next Generation Learning Standards in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. These standards replace the controversial Common Core Learning Standards and will be rolled out slowly over the next few years in order to provide adequate time for professional development and curriculum design.

The Next Generation Learning Standards detail what students should know and be able to do at each grade level; they do not require school districts to follow any specific curriculum.

A general overview of the new standards

The Next Generation English Language Arts Standards 

The Next Generation Mathematics Standards 

Character Education

Character Education strives to encourage positive behaviors in students in grades K-12. It promotes traits such as responsibility, caring, respect, honesty, fairness, trustworthiness, and citizenship. In the Cohoes City School District, students at each of the five schools participate in Character Education to help develop these core values.

Character Trait of the Month

  • September – Responsibility, Dependability and Self-control
  • October – Respect and Consideration
  • November – Caring and Gratitude
  • December – Caring and Compassion
  • January – Respect and Tolerance
  • February – Trustworthiness, Honesty and Integrity
  • March – Fairness and Sharing
  • April – Fairness and Listening
  • May- Citizenship and Problem Solving
  • June – Citizenship and Helping Your Community

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

PBIS is a school-wide approach to preventing and responding to school and classroom behavior. PBIS is used in Cohoes at the district’s three elementary schools and the middle school, as well as at more than 3,000 schools across the country.

How does PBIS work?

In the program, positive behaviors are frequently rewarded by school staff, while negative behaviors are consistently addressed with predictable consequences.

PBIS aims to reduce the number of referrals or suspensions and enables educators to be more active and consistent in addressing behavior problems that do arise.

At the participating schools, the PBIS coaches teach students the appropriate behaviors every year so they know how to act responsibly and appropriately in places such as the hallways, bathrooms, cafeterias and during assemblies.

What are PBIS outcomes?

The outcome is positive behavior and a school environment that is conducive to learning.

Report Cards and Testing

The New York State Education Department mandates that all public school districts give state tests in English language arts, math and science to all students in grades 3-8. High School students in New York State are required to pass five Regents exams in order to graduate – in English, Math, U.S. History & Government, Global History and one science subject area.

Special Education

Special Education services are managed in the Office of Special Programs, located in the district administration office building at 21 Page Avenue in Cohoes.

Clubs and Activities

In Cohoes, we believe that extracurricular clubs and activities play an important role in the culture of our school. Our clubs supplement the academic program, provide meaningful community service opportunities, and allow students to pursue their passions.

Preparing our students for success in tomorrow’s world.

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