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Board approves course handbook updates; removes some electives, shifts biology requirements
Summary
Trustees approved updates to the high school course scheduling handbook that remove select elective courses, shift biology to all freshmen, and replace ACP Chemistry with AP Chemistry; cohort 2029 will be handled separately pending state diploma guidance.
The Mount Vernon Community School Corp. Board of Trustees approved updates to the high school course scheduling handbook, including several course eliminations and curricular shifts aimed at aligning offerings with state diploma changes and student pathways.
District staff said the changes primarily update course descriptions and offerings. Key changes approved include replacing ACP chemistry with AP Chemistry (with similar rigor and continued opportunities for dual credit), removing the course titled “adult roles” to give capacity to Personal Finance (which will be required under the new diploma for the class of 2029), suspending AP Spanish next year due to zero student requests, and eliminating biology honors because department leaders found the honors and regular biology classes were very similar in delivery. The district will offer biology to all freshmen beginning next year to open pathways for more advanced coursework in later years.
Administrators explained the handbook presented covers cohorts for 2026–2028; cohort 2029 (current eighth graders) will be in a separate handbook once the state confirms which courses satisfy the new diploma requirements. The board approved the handbook updates by voice and a 5-0 vote.
Board members thanked staff for managing evolving state requirements and aligning course offerings to pathways and anticipated diploma rules.
