May 27, 2015
What Does it Mean to be
Accelerated?
• Accelerated: To be on an advanced track of coursework
by taking courses one year early.
– Students in the 8th grade accelerated class take 9th grade courses.
– This skipping of curriculum only happens during the middle
school years.
– Students are then always ahead of their grade level peers in the
accelerated subjects.
• Advanced Placement Courses: These are high school
courses offered to students beginning in 11th grade that
are developed by high school teachers and college
faculty. These classes allow you the possibility to earn
college credit by taking the AP exam.
Why Do We Offer
Acceleration?
• According to NYS regulations, public school
students in grade eight shall have the opportunity
to take high school courses in mathematics and at
least one other area.
• Onteora offers accelerated courses in math,
science and art.
Acceleration in Math
• This information
is subject to change
with the new
common core
curriculum
8th Grade
Algebra I
9th Grade
Geometry
10th Grade
Algebra 2/Trig
11th Grade
Algebra 2/Stats
and Intro to Calc
12th Grade
AP Calculus
•The 8th grade Algebra I curriculum
includes a blend of curriculums – 8th
grade math and Common Core Algebra
Paths if You Don’t Accelerate in
Math in 8th Grade
Typical math progression for a
student who takes a 1 year Algebra
course as a 9th Grader
In the past, students have chosen to
self-accelerate by doubling up on
math courses with teacher approval
9th Grade
Algebra I
9th Grade
Algebra I
10th Grade
Geometry
10th Grade
Geometry AND
Algebra 2/Trig
11th Grade
Algebra 2/Trig
11th Grade
Algebra 2/Stats
and Intro to Calc
12th Grade
Algebra 2/Stats
and Intro to Calc
12th Grade
AP Calculus
• This information is subject to change
with the new common core curriculum
An Example of
Acceleration in Science
8th Grade
Living Environment
w/Lab
9th Grade
Earth Science
w/Lab
10th Grade
Chemistry w/Lab
11th Grade
AP Chemistry
12th Grade
AP Physics
•By taking Living Environment in 8th grade,
students completely miss the 8th grade Physical
Science curriculum. Students may be responsible
for filling in curriculum gaps for the next 5 years.
Examples of Paths if You Don’t
Accelerate in Science in 8th Grade
An Example of HS Science
Progression
Students may choose to selfaccelerate by doubling up on science
courses with teacher approval
9th Grade
Living Environment
w/Lab
9th Grade
Living Environment
w/Lab AND Earth
Science w/Lab
10th Grade
Earth Science w/Lab
10th Grade
Chemistry w/Lab
11th Grade
Chemistry w/Lab
11th Grade
Physics w/Lab
12th Grade
Physics w/Lab or AP
Science Course
12th Grade
AP Science Course
MS Impact of Acceleration
• Middle School schedule effects
– Students in accelerated science cannot take another middle school
elective (Studio Art or pre-engineering)
– Students in accelerated science can only take one music ensemble
to accommodate health
Impact of Acceleration
• What is the student’s purpose for accelerating?
– If they want to be challenged, take Regents Exams a year early, and want
to take full course load in 12th grade with AP courses then accelerate
– This is not an opportunity to satisfy the math and science NYS graduation
requirements early.
– This is not an opportunity to place your students with high achieving
students in the hopes of improving their work ethic or keep up with friends.
• Accelerated Courses have increased demands:
– Increased rigor
– Increasing pacing
– Increasing depth of material
• Accelerated students should be:
– More mature than the average middle school student
– Independent learners with strong internal motivation
– Able to handle stress in an appropriate, non-anxious manner
Impact of Acceleration
• Starting of the High School transcript
– Grades received impact GPA and high school rank
• This information is reported to colleges for their admission process
• Colleges are looking for accelerated courses with averages of 95,
not 85
• Accelerated courses are weighted at 1.01 – minimal impact on rank
• AP courses are weighted at 1.06 – increased impact on rank.
– Students can take AP classes starting in 11th grade, without taking
accelerated math and science
– NYS Regents Exams are reported on transcript
• Grades received will determine Honors or High Honors designation
on Diploma