General education courses align with PA State Standards and are designed for students who are preparing for post-secondary college, career, and training opportunities. This type of course requires students to be responsible, mature, and have well-developed study skills which enable the student to pursue appropriate career goals. 

Honors courses offer more rigorous curriculum yet continue to align with PA Core Standards.  This type of course is designed for high-achieving students who are capable of higher-level thinking and demonstrate the ability to perform academically in a highly competent manner. Students should be prepared to demonstrate broader, deeper, and more complex thinking. 

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed for academically talented students whose abilities, interests, and demonstrated levels of performance show that they can complete college work in high school. This type of course assumes that students already have a strong foundation in the specific subject area of the course and are seriously interested in preparing to take the subject area AP test which gives students the opportunity to earn college credit. Students and their parents/guardians should carefully consider the time and commitment to this type of course before enrolling. 

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a non-profit organization that develops science, technology, engineering, and mathematics curricula for schools. Lakeland currently offers three PLTW sequences: Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Computer Science. The PLTW courses empower students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. This type of course is designed for students who are active, self-motivated, and able to work individually and as part of a team. 

Students in grades 10-12 may choose to enroll in classes which have been designated by local colleges to allow students to earn college credit while taking classes in high school. Courses taken are usually freshman level college courses that are transferable to other colleges allowing a significant start towards one’s college career as well as adding challenge and rigor to the high school experience. Some courses are taken on Lakeland’s campus while others are taken at a local college/university campus. Credits must be purchased; however, the rate is discounted up to 80% off of the regular tuition cost. There is limited reimbursement available from Lakeland for students who meet financial eligibility requirements. Students must have completed 14 of their 24 required high school credits to be eligible for dual enrollment on a college/university campus beginning summer prior to grade 11. Students may not have failed any high school level class and must have at least a 3.5 GPA or 85% numerical grade average to be eligible to participate. More information can be found on the Lakeland School Counseling website. 

Students in grades 10-12 may be eligible to participate in one of 16 career programs offered through the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (CTC). The programs are designed to be three years in length, beginning in sophomore year, however, juniors and seniors may also begin a program. Students can participate in morning or afternoon programs that are coordinated within their existing Lakeland academic course schedule. Students can earn up to 12 college credits and also have the opportunity to earn industry recognized certifications to make them job ready upon graduation. Interested students should speak with their counselor and can also visit the CTC website https://www.ctclc.edu to learn more.