Upper Dublin presents 2025–26 Program of Studies; personal finance to be required for class of 2030

Upper Dublin School District officials on Jan. 8 presented the 2025–26 Program of Studies, a 113‑page curriculum catalog that outlines graduation requirements, course descriptions, dual‑enrollment agreements and timelines for course selection.

The district said it will add a personal finance graduation requirement starting in the 2026–27 school year; the requirement will apply to the class of 2030. “We already offer a personal finance class and currently have about 200 students rostered for it,” a presenter said, noting staff expect the district to absorb the requirement without major schedule changes.

Why it matters: The Program of Studies governs what courses students may take and how credits are applied toward graduation. Changes such as a new required course and new AP or dual‑enrollment options directly affect students’ schedules and college‑credit opportunities.

Summary of key changes and offerings - Personal finance: Required for diplomas awarded to the class of 2030; implementation begins in 2026–27. District staff said the course and teachers are already in place and that the change should not be a “huge lift.” - AP and AP Capstone expansion: The high school continues its AP offerings and plans to follow AP Seminar (added last year) with AP Research, enabling students to pursue the College Board’s AP Capstone recognition. Administrators said about 50 students are currently taking AP Seminar. - Dual enrollment: The district maintains agreements with multiple local universities (including Immaculata University for AP Environmental Science) and said dual‑enrollment participation varies by course; some classes, such as geoscience, have near‑universal dual‑enrollment uptake among students in that section. - New courses: Additions include AP African American Studies (offered as an AP option for 9th graders), Exploration in Data Science, concert choir (semester), Piano Lab 2, and a leaders/team‑building course proposed by PE/health staff. Some ensemble scheduling options will allow students to take choir and band or choir and orchestra through alternating block scheduling.

Course development, enrollment and cancellations District staff described a curriculum review process that identifies departmental strengths and opportunities for new courses. Recent schedule changes (moving from seven to eight periods) created capacity for more offerings; staff said this is one reason the current year sees more new courses than usual. Administrators said courses with persistently low enrollment may be canceled for a year but not deleted; canceled courses can return in subsequent years or be offered on an every‑other‑year rotation (for example, certain geoscience sections).

Course selection and student support The course‑selection window opens in late January in Infinite Campus. Teacher recommendations are compiled individually during a recommendation window; parents and students may override recommendations but counselors will follow up to review schedules and academic readiness. Staff described a multi‑step support process: teacher‑to‑student conversations, counselor meetings and, if needed, administrative review later in the year. For teachers who do not hold formal “office hours,” administrators said students may meet before or after school, during study hall, at lunch, or with another teacher who covers the same subject.

What wasn’t decided: The Program of Studies presentation did not include a formal vote; it was presented for committee review and questions. Staff said detailed enrollment figures for dual enrollment by course can be provided on request.

Looking ahead: Staff invited committee feedback and said the final Program of Studies remains available via a link in the presentation. The document will guide counseling conversations and master‑schedule work through the spring.