Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Emmaus High School updates program of studies: more flexibility, new AP offering, some courses removed
Summary
Principal Beth Gariello presented proposed changes to Emmaus High School's 2025–26 Program of Studies, including clearer attendance guidance, expanded dual-enrollment access for 10th graders, semesterized science courses, the addition of AP African American Studies, and the removal of rarely run courses such as Creative Writing.
Beth Gariello, principal of Emmaus High School, presented the proposed 2025–26 Program of Studies to the East Penn School Board, highlighting changes intended to increase student accessibility and schedule flexibility. The presentation added attendance guidance and links, streamlined the district's explanation of Act 158 using the state's flowchart, expanded Westchester University dual-enrollment access to 10th graders, and clarified transportation and dismissal rules for Diversified Career Occupations (DCO) students.
Gariello said several year-specific references were removed from the document to reduce annual revisions and that prerequisites language was changed from numeric score thresholds to "successful completion" to allow students greater pathway flexibility. Science and physics offerings were restructured into semester classes — for example, AP Physics C was split into separate mechanics and electricity & magnetism classes — and new honors physics options were added. The program will add AP African American Studies in response to student requests, and some low-demand courses (notably Creative Writing) were removed because they had not run in recent years.
Gariello also noted a potential change: Westchester's dual-credit offerings are under review and the district is exploring other college partners to maintain dual-credit access in affected science courses. Board members asked for clarity on attendance terminology ("lawful" vs. "excused") and urged the district to add definitions in the Program of Studies. Trustees also expressed disappointment at the Creative Writing removal and asked staff to consider options to restore creative-writing instruction through other electives or future course offerings.
What happens next: The Program of Studies changes were presented for board review as part of the curriculum item approvals. Administration said it will return with any updates on dual-credit partnerships and incorporate requested clarifications (attendance definitions) into the document.
