PHS has a commitment to opportunity, access, and excellence for all students. The curriculum is designed to support the continuous academic, social and skill development for all students. A core value at PHS is that all students are appropriately challenged and supported both in terms of the work in individual classes and more broadly across a student’s schedule. As student should consider their course load; we support them in finding an appropriate level of stretch and balance within their classes.  We are proud to be a regional high school with students from Portsmouth, Rye, Greenland, Newtington, and New Castle, but once they enter PHS all of our students become Clippers. Our course choices offer a variety of opportunities based on skills, interests, and abilities.

At Portsmouth High School we recognize that learning is not confined to the school schedule or our course offerings and that students can have rich learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting. Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO's) represent non-traditional and/or online educational experiences that focus on the interests and talents of individual students. These programs offer learning and developmental experiences that enhance and complement the school curriculum. Please see the Portsmouth School District Board Policy for more detail.

In order to receive credit for an educational program outside of PHS, the following requirements must be met:

• The Extended Learning Opportunity Application Form must be completed and approved by the principal before the program has begun.

• A formal description must be attached to the form.

• An official grade report or transcript must be received to have the credit listed on your PHS transcript.

Please note:

• Regardless of credit awarded by the program, PHS will award between 0.25 and 1.00 credit per course.

• To be eligible to participate in athletics, a student must have the equivalent of three 80 minute classes.

Portsmouth High School Extended Learning Opportunity Application Form

Portsmouth School Board Extended Learning Opportunities Policy

Portsmouth High School does not grant schedule changes unless the request meets one or more of the criteria listed below. Any student wishing to request a schedule modification must do so by completing the Request to Drop/Add Class Form available in the school counseling office. The criteria for a schedule change are as follows:

• Graduation requirement missing from schedule (12th only)

• Course already taken (10th-12th)

• Prerequisite - does not meet course requirements (9-12th)

• Schedule has an error (same class listed twice, class omitted, or class requested not included (9-12th)

• Schedule has a class which has been taken over the summer and needs to be dropped in the fall (9-12th)

• Schedule has a class which is not appropriate to the student’s English language proficiency level.

NOTE: We cannot accommodate schedule requests or changes based on teacher preference or learning style. We strongly believe that students benefit from learning from a variety of different teachers. Careful planning by each student should result in an appropriate program for each school year. Throughout the school year, students may make appointments to review their course selections with their school counselor. Any adjustments, whether based on second semester grades or other acceptable criteria for a schedule change, should be made at this time. Course changes during any quarter will be made only upon the recommendation of a teacher or school counselor, and with phone contact or written approval of the parent/guardian. 

These procedures do not prevent school authorities from adjusting students' classes to produce an optimum learning environment.