NYSED Graduation Requirements: http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/general-education-and-diploma-requirements#General 

A student’s course selections throughout their high school career directly impact their options after graduation. All students are encouraged to prepare as best they can for continuing their education beyond high school into college (two-year or four-year), technical college, an apprenticeship or a job-training program. That said, students should always take the highest level of academic course work they can successfully handle, along with electives that offer views into different careers.

Students must successfully complete the following number of units to be promoted to the next grade:

• Sophomore: at least 6 units

• Junior: at least 12 units

• Senior: at least 18 units

The promotional policy for the high school (grades 9 – 12) is based upon the accumulation of units rather than the number of years students are enrolled in the high school.

Students in grades 9–11 should enroll in a minimum of 6½ units per school year. Seniors are granted senior privileges if they are enrolled in a minimum of 6 units.

*It is the practice of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD not to allow students to drop a full year course after the first five weeks of school.  A drop/fail will be printed on the academic transcript if the course is dropped after the first five weeks. 

Availability of Courses

All courses listed in the Curriculum Handbook are not always listed every year; some courses are offered on a rotating basis. Final determination on course offering is based upon student interest during course selection, staffing availability, overall schedule placement, and the final budget. Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment, staffing/scheduling issues, and/or budget constraints. 

Course Load and Grade Promotion

Course selection throughout high school can significantly impact options available for post-secondary education. Students should always take the highest level of academic course work they can successfully handle, along with electives that offer a view into different careers.

All students are encouraged to prepare for continuing their education beyond high school. This can be at a two-or four-year college, technical college, apprenticeship or job training program.

The promotional policy for the secondary school (grades 9 – 12) is based upon accumulation of credits instead of the number of years students are enrolled in the secondary school. Students must successfully complete the following number of credits to be promoted to the next grade: 

• • • Sophomore: minimum of 6 units

    • Junior: minimum of 12 units

    • Senior: minimum of 18 units

Students in grades 9 – 11 should enroll in a minimum of 6.5 credits per each school year per Board of Education policy. Seniors should enroll in a minimum of 6 credits.

*It is the practice of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD not to allow students to drop a full year course after the first five weeks of school. A drop/fail will be printed on the academic transcript if the course is dropped after the first five weeks. 

BKW students have the opportunity to attend various Career & Technical Educational Opportunity programs throughout the Capital District. BKW sends students to the following programs at the following campuses. Click on the program name to learn more. Students interested will need to meet academic, discipline, and attendance requirements in order to attend and will be able to visit the programs in Grade 10. 

Albany Campus:

• Auto Body Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology

• Automotive Youth Educational System (AYES) 

• Automotive Services 

• Carpentry Services 

• Digital Media Design 

• Diesel Tech

• Early Childhood Education 

• Entertainment Technology 

• Game Design and Implementation 

• Global Fashion Studies I & II

• HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, AC & Refrigeration)

• Manufacturing and Machining Technology 

• Network Cabling/Smart Home Technology 

• Pet Tech 

• Retail and Office Services 

• Sterile Processing 

• Welding & Metal Fabrication

Schoharie Campus:

• Automotive Trades Technology

• Building Trades 

• Cosmetology

• Criminal Justice

• Culinary Arts & Hospitality Technology

• Electrical Trades 

• Health Careers (Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide/Personal Care Assistant)

• Heavey Equipment Operation / Repair and Maintenance