Cohoes High School offers a wide array of core courses to help students meet graduation requirements, as well as a broad selection of electives and college-level classes designed to help students find their passion and prepare for life after graduation.
Scheduling Timetable and Guidelines
In February and March, counselors meet individually with students to review their high school plans and make course selections. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment to attend this meeting with their child. Counselors take into consideration teacher/ department input, current grades and student interests, as well as the student’s post-secondary goals. After the master schedule is created, a student’s schedule is developed. If a course is canceled due to low enrollment, the student has the opportunity to select another course. If a conflict arises in a student’s schedule s/he can consult with a counselor to select the most appropriate option.
Dropping/Adding a Course
Schedules will not be altered to accommodate teacher requests, Physical Education classes, quiet study periods, lunch, early dismissal or late arrival. Students are permitted to add courses within the first 2 weeks of the school year for full-year courses and the first 2 weeks of each semester for half-year courses. Once the school year begins students will have two weeks to drop a class without approved documentation. After this point if a student wishes to change a class they would need to fill out an add/drop form. This form is to be completed by the student, parent, teacher of the course they are dropping, teacher of course they are looking to add, counselor, and an administrator.
Students can drop a course only until 25% of the course has been completed. If a change is made after this time then the change would result in a withdrawal pass/fail on their academic transcripts. Students may not drop a course that is a requirement for graduation. In all cases, students must take a minimum course load of 5.5 credits.
A course level change due to academic difficulty is only considered when: A request from a parent or guardian is made; the student has demonstrated sincere effort to succeed; and the student, parent, teacher, school counselor, and administration are in agreement regarding the change. A course change form would need to be completed by all parties.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
AP courses prepare students to take the nationally-recognized College Board AP exams in May. Colleges may give credit and/or advanced standing to students who take and score well on AP exams. Students who take AP courses must have a strong work ethic and be prepared to manage the rigor of college-level coursework.
Honors (H) Courses
These courses are enriched beyond the curriculum set forth by the New York State Regents syllabus. Students are considered for honors level courses based on criteria developed by each department. Students can expect more rigorous learning at a quicker pace in honors courses.
Dual Credit (DC) Courses
Dual credit courses through Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Schenectady and UAlbany (SUNY) allow students to earn credits toward their college education while still in high school. These credits may or may not be transferable and is solely determined by the college where the student transfers. A college’s decision to “count” these credits may depend on some of the following: curriculum alignment, grade in the course and intended academic major. There is a cost to take each course.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility
The NCAA has strict academic eligibility requirements for prospective student-athletes to participate in Division I and II intercollegiate athletics. Students and parents should visit www.eligibilitycenter.org to review these requirements. If a student is considering playing Division I or II sports, s/he should register with the eligibility center no later than during junior year.