Time To Celebrate Our Successes
The South Colonie Board of Education, staff members, and parents are committed to providing a quality education for South Colonie children. The question is: How are we doing? Please take a moment to browse through our overall achievements as a School District.
Achievements
Early Academics
Academic programs at the elementary level (PreK to grades 4) reinforce and build foundational skills while providing students with gradually increasing academic challenges. Students at the middle school level (grades 5 to 8) complete coursework in core subjects and are challenged to develop critical thinking by participating in programs like Odyssey of the Mind, Math and Science Olympiads, as well as other clubs and enrichment activities.
The South Colonie universal pre- kindergarten (UPK) program and full-da kindergarten programs have served as a catalyst for many Colonie children as they set sail into their educational experience. These programs continue to provide an early start for our students which is so critical for long-term academic excellence.
Students have the opportunity to learn about future careers beginning in elementary school and are challenged to develop critical thinking skills by participating in STEAM programs that frame lessons to engage students and build essential skills that students need in real-world applications. Throughout their early educational experience and beyond, the district monitors all students to ensure that each individual child’s learning needs are met.
New in the 2022-23 school year, the district implemented Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) to assess social and emotional competencies to support instructional goals.
Colonie Central High School
Colonie Central High School (CCHS), a four-year public school accredited by the University of the State of New York, is a comprehensive school that offers a wide variety of courses to prepare students to meet the demands of college level academic work, as well as a focus on career ready pathways.
High Academic Performance
While all students are now required to graduate with a New York State Regents Diploma, more than half of CCHS graduates now earn an Advanced Regents Diploma requiring additional credits in Math and Science, and more than 40% of students earn a grade point average of 90 or above.
CCHS Pathways, a new program for South Colonie students, is more than just providing an educational pathway. The program aims to provide a personal experience for students to gain knowledge and exposure to the most desired and applicable career experiences, college majors, associate degrees, and skilled trade professions.
The College and Career Planning Center has been integral in facilitating this work and making each individualized student career pursuit more attainable by recruiting, collecting and providing relevant resources to students and families.
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- CCHS earned distinction from US News and World Report as one of America’s Best High Schools in 2022.
- Curricula in general engineering and biomedical engineering are offered through the nationally recognized pre- engineering program, Project Lead the Way.
- Colonie High School seniors have the opportunity to participate in the Career Exploration Internship Program, a 54-hour internship with industry professionals in the Capital District.
- Colonie Students are S.M.A.R.T (Students Making a Responsible Tomorrow). Each year, CCHS students donate thousands of hours volunteering and fundraising for community programs like Northern Rivers, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Blue Star Mothers, Proctors, and more through our regionally recognized iCare character education program. Service is an integral part of both our Key Club and National Honor Society selection process, as well as, our NHS member responsibilities.
- Over 72 graduates have been inducted into the Colonie Central High School Hall of Fame — established in 1994 to honor South Colonie alumni who serve as role models and as a source of inspiration for our students based on their numerous accomplishments after graduation.
Beyond the Books
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- South Colonie students benefit from a wide range of fine arts programs such as the award-winning Line & Cue theatre group, led by our own outstanding staff. Our music students have performed in performances in NYS bands and orchestras and some of our student artists have been regularly featured in local art shows. The district has also been recognized as “Best Community for Music Education.”
- The Colonie High School Athletic Program offers 30 varsity-level sports that compete in the Suburban Council. Our athletes have been recognized at regional, state, and national levels. Approximately 65% of the Class of 2022 were involved in athletics.
A strong faculty
South Colonie teachers and faculty members continue to set the bar high with ongoing training, authoring books and curriculum materials, speaking at national and state conventions, and participating in enrichment activities. The district currently hosts the Regional Teachers Center and actively offers ongoing professional development opportunities for staff.
Meet the Pack
South Colonie educators have been named teachers of the year by business and professional organizations while others have been featured as Educators of the Week. The district’s newest series “Meet the Pack” highlights South Colonie staff remembers that go above and beyond.
Safety at the forefront
Safety is a theme that runs throughout our UPK-12 school programs. This includes bus and bicycle safety, driver’s education, as well as yearlong anti-
bullying/character education programs. Additionally, we have initiated partnerships with the Town of olonie and the Colonie Police Department to have School Resource Officers serving all of our schools. New in 2022, South Colonie Central School District joined the newly formed Threat Assessment
Coordination Team (TACT) led by Albany County.
Community building is at the heart
Community building is at the heart of our learning efforts. Each year, the district’s Stuff the Bus program assists the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots effort to provide gifts for children in need throughout the Capital Region during the holiday season. Whether it is Toys for Tots during the holiday season, food drives, or partnerships with area businesses, our school community shows up for one another.
Diverse student population
Diversity, excellence, and pride are three words used to sum up South Colonie Central School District’s learning experience. Our incredibly diverse population of students speak more than 20 different languages filling our schools with culture and richness as well as fostering awareness and acceptance. Our students not only learn to value and respect all people, they also appreciate the many differences and are prepared to be citizens in a multicultural world.