On December 10th, The Board of Education held a meeting where cuts, additions, and changes were proposed to amend the current SWHS course catalog.
By compiling data on enrollment, student interest, and resources, Principal of South Windsor High School, Mr. Leroy and SWHS Assistant Principal, Ms. Harlow, presented their findings to the Board as well as a list of recommendations for the 2025-2026 course catalog.
A noticeable difference in the proposed courses is the reframing of the math department. The current trajectory of math in the South Windsor Public School district is Algebra I, next Geometry, and then Algebra II (with or without Trigonometry), followed by Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. Multivariable Calculus was also added to SWHS curriculum in recent years to accommodate the growing math department and changing student interests.
Assistant Principal Harlow broke down the changes in detail in her report to the Board:
“Currently, the recommended course sequence is Algebra I → Geometry → Algebra II. Moving forward, this will shift to Algebra I → Algebra II → Geometry and Statistics,” Harlow explained at the meeting.
These changes are recommended in order to improve SAT scores specifically in the area of Algebra II. Following the current order, students take the SAT before finishing the Algebra II course, making it so they don’t receive the necessary education required before the SAT’s.
“In the Math department, there are two key factors that have prompted changes to the courses: the introduction of AP Precalculus and a reorganization of the course sequences to align with the timing of the SAT school day assessment in the spring of Junior year,” Harlow said at the meeting.
The board is focused on improvement for SAT scores making 10-20 point differences very significant as a whole.
“I know we’ve had some discussion here before, that we’re changing the order of some of the classes for better alignment with the SAT. Every year, we grit our teeth and get all excited about a 10 or 20 point difference. It’s just something, I don’t wanna say is small… those changes alone probably will make a difference,” Board Secretary, Mr. Craig Zimmerman commented at the meeting.
Another proposal to the SWHS course catalog is a student internship opportunity. The details of the class are yet to be determined, but its goal is to give students the opportunity to take internships at local jobs where they can gain both experience in a profession of their choosing and connections within the community.
This proposal was met with excitement from Board members, who appreciated the course’s real life applications.
“I think any time we have new experiences or opportunities for the kids that’s pretty exciting. I see this internship experience and I think many people are always asking about opportunities with some of our employers in town; we have a wealth of resources right here,” Board Vice Chair Beth Esstman said at the meeting.
These are just a few additions being added to the SWHS 2025-2026 course catalog, expect more changes coming soon. The Bobcat Prowl encourages you to check out the newly offered courses when finalizing your schedule for next year.
You can find the full course catalog proposal in the recording of the Board of Education’s December 10th meeting. Watch here.
