Barnstable High School updates course catalog, adds AP options and seal of biliteracy pathway

Barnstable, Mass. — The Barnstable School Committee on Jan. 8 approved the Barnstable High School program of studies for the 2025–26 school year, adopting new courses, clarified graduation designations and expanded supports for multilingual learners.

Barnstable High School Principal Jason Kennett presented the 160-plus page program, which the committee approved on a voice vote. The updated catalog adds AP African American Studies, an AP learning lab for juniors and seniors taking multiple AP courses, expanded Coast Guard JROTC maritime science courses, and a seal of biliteracy pathway the district plans to support through coursework and testing.

The program of studies also proposes new newcomer and multilingual-learner (ML) courses — including social and instructional language, topics in English and literacy, and concept courses in life science, pre-algebra and early American history tailored for new-arrival students — to better support students who speak other languages or whose formal education has been interrupted.

“Students are allowed to test in any language that they demonstrate fluency in, including languages that they've learned at home or in the community,” Assistant Superintendent Kristen (last name not stated in materials) said in a summary of the seal-of-biliteracy pathway. The superintendent’s office supplied figures showing that 75 students were eligible for the seal in a previous year and the district expects roughly 100 eligible students in the 2024–25 cycle.

Kennett described several department-specific additions: AP pre-calculus (converted from honors pre-calculus), a statistics 2 follow-up for students who complete AP Statistics, video-game design, and tourism-through-language-and-culture coursework intended to connect language learning to the local tourism economy. The world-language sequence will include Latin 4 (dual-enrollment eligible with Middlesex Community College) and expanded Spanish heritage classes.

The program will also reorganize health and physical-education offerings to comply with state guidance requiring physical education instruction in all grades; that effort includes semesterized fitness and activity classes such as “Get Fit,” “Just Dance,” and “Net Games” (pickleball, badminton, tennis and volleyball).

On athletics and academics, Kennett reported the district submitted 113 course descriptions to the NCAA Eligibility Center; 103 were approved and 10 were returned for additional information. The approvals affect student-athletes seeking NCAA eligibility.

Why it matters: The program of studies governs course requests, scheduling and graduation-planning for students entering grades 8–12. The new bilingual and AP opportunities can translate to college credit, career pathways, and recognitions such as the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy — benefits the presentation noted can include college placement, potential college credits and workplace credentials.

Looking ahead: Counsellors will work with students on course requests later in January, the school will finalize scheduling in March–April and the principal’s office will monitor demand for newly offered classes. Several additions were noted as contingent on sufficient student enrollment.