Academics

The Duanesburg Central School District is committed to preparing students to meet the academic demands of a Regents diploma, and much more, on their way to successful careers and rewarding lives. Duanesburg offers a K-12 program designed to promote the academic and personal development of all students.

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Common Core State Standards

State tests to reflect new Common Core State Standards

In April, Duanesburg students in grades 3-8 and their peers throughout New York will take the grades 3-8 state tests in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. These tests mark a time of transition in our schools and in our state, as this is the first year they will be based on the new Common Core Learning Standards. [LEARN MORE ABOUT CCSS]

Online parent and student information system available

An online communication tool allows parents and students convenient online access to a secure site with information about a student's academic program and progress. The system, available through the district’s student management system—eschooldata, is generally known as a “parent portal.” The portal will provide access to middle and high school student class schedules, progress reports and report cards. [LEARN MORE]

New York State Report Cards

Every year the New York State Education Department releases a report card for every school district and school in the state. The report cards provide achievement data on districts and schools, as compared to their past years' performances and to other similar schools. Report cards are released each spring for the previous school year. [VIEW THE CURRENT NYS REPORT CARD]

The state Education Department recently released the 2010-11 results of the state ELA and mathematics tests taken by students in May. You can download the entire state press release (PDF) about the release of the testing information, as well as  the results of every school in New York state (PDF). Duanesburg's individual results can be found on pages 1513-1514 of the document.

On the English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics exams administered in grades 3-8, student median scale scores are ranked in one of four "levels." Student scores in Levels 1 and 2 mean a child is eligible for and may receive extra help - Academic Intervention Services (AIS) - to help boost their future scores and achievement. Scores in Levels 3 and 4 are considered meeting and exceeding the state's expectations.

Parents should have received direct mailings about their child's individual performance on these tests. If you did not receive anything about your child's scores, please contact your child's schoo.

School report cards and interim reports

Duanesburg distributes report cards four times per year for the elementary, middle and high school levels as well as interim reports four times per year for middle and high school students.

District piloting Response to Intervention program

To ensure all students are receiving the type of instruction they need to be successful, Duanesburg Central School District teachers began piloting a nationally recognized instructional program, Response to Intervention, during the 2009-10 school year. [LEARN MORE]

Textbooks for private school students

Capital Region BOCES is the textbook provider for Duanesburg. Each year, BOCES notifies families of private school students about dates for returning textbooks at the end of the school year and arranges to have textbooks delivered to the child's school for the start of the school year. (Families will be notified in case of exception.) If you have questions about ordering, picking up or returning your child's textbooks, please call Anne McCoy at Capital Region BOCES, 464-5123. The BOCES Textbook Loan Service is located at 20 Walker Way, Albany, NY 12205

UNIQUE OFFERINGS

Besides traditional academic course offerings, students may participate in a number of unique programs:

• > Through an arts-in-education grant, the district is able to provide students in all grade levels with access to a professional-level music, art and dance program with Proctor's Theatre. [LEARN MORE]
• > Advanced-level classes offer students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school through the Project Lead the Way program, Advanced Placement and University in the High School classes. Several new courses provide students with more hands-on experiences in forensics, health, journalism and environmental science. [DOWNLOAD THE MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HANDBOOK -PDF]
• > Second language study begins as early as kindergarten through the district's Foreign Language Early Start Program.
• > Access to vocational and career education opportunities provided by the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School, which gives students hands-on experience.
• > Dozens of extracurricular clubs and activities available at the middle/high school and elementary school, including a school newspaper, drama club, Student Council and MasterMinds team.
• > The district's youngest students have been participating in a full-day kindergarten program since the 2008-09 school year. [LEARN MORE]