Level Placement in Courses

Decisions regarding the level placement of a student in a course are based on the student’s past performance in the subject area and the subject teacher’s recommendation for the level of instruction appropriate for the next school year. Under special circumstances, parents may request that the student be enrolled in a more challenging course than what was recommended by the teacher. 

Repeating a Course/Failing a Course

Students must successfully complete each segment of a sequentially based course in all academic areas before enrolling in the next course level. For example, taking Algebra I
and Geometry at the same time is not allowed. 

Schedule Changes

Students who fail a course must repeat the course or pass a New York
State Education Department approved summer school program.
Schedule changes will be made for the following reasons:

• conflict in the original course selection;
• need for changes in an instructional level;
• change in academic status after attending summer school;
• course failure with the same teacher on a previous occasion.

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses and College Courses

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are standardized in that they prepare students to take a national comprehensive examination at the end of the course. All Pine Bush High School students who take AP courses take the AP exam and pay an exam fee, which is not tuition. Many colleges will issue credit or advanced standing to students who present scores of 4 or 5 on an AP exam. Some will consider a score of 3 on some AP exams.

College credit that is earned in high school may be treated differently by each college. Each college has its own specific guidelines, which are usually applied after a student has decided to attend that college. Students should call those colleges they are interested in applying to and ask whether the college will accept transcripted credit from SUNY Albany, Dominican, Orange County Community College or Sullivan County Community College. Some may apply the credit to your transcript. Some may give you advanced standing. Some may waive other requirements. Some will be pleased to know you can do college-level work in high school, but will not accept college credit you earned at a different institution. Paying reduced tuition for college credit in high school courses can result in savings.