Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
East Windsor High School adds AP music theory, academic-skills course and expands career week offerings
Summary
Principal Allison Anderson and teachers presented a high-school curriculum update introducing AP music theory and a redesigned Academic Skills & Enrichment course; staff also summarized 'Think About Your Future Week,' a multi-day career-readiness program with college trips, mock interviews and a culminating career fair.
Allison Anderson, principal of East Windsor High School, told the Board of Education that the high school has added AP music theory and expanded a redesigned Academic Skills & Enrichment (ASE) course to better align classroom offerings with the district strategic plan.
"I'm mostly here today to talk about AP music theory," music teacher Jenna Brasky said, explaining that the AP exam includes listening, sight‑singing, dictation and composition components that allow students to earn college credit using performance‑based skills as well as written work. Brasky said three seniors are currently preparing for the AP exam.
Teachers described ASE as a split ELA‑and‑math course that focuses on SAT strategies, targeted remediation, and transferable analytical skills. "We open every class with an SAT question of the day," ELA teacher Celeste Pacheco said, and students track data, annotate texts and practice group problem solving.
Students who helped present told the board the small class sizes allowed for more teacher attention and student leadership. "ASE helps students learn and it helps other classes too," student Andres Doncel Gross said, summarizing student reflections on improved collaboration and confidence with test‑like questions.
Counselor Sharon Wayland reviewed 'Think About Your Future Week' (March 16–20), a multi‑day program that included a career‑speaker preparation day, schoolwide SAT testing (PSAT/SAT), postsecondary field trips (options offered included American International College, Western New England, UConn, Central and a local IBEW training site), mock interview sessions with community partners, and a culminating career fair with more than 25 rooms and 30 speakers. Staff reported positive student feedback and provided examples of thank‑you notes from students who said the presentations changed or clarified their career interests.
Administrators and staff said the new courses and career‑readiness activities align with the district's strategic goals and expand pathways for students interested in arts, humanities, trades and college programs.
The presentation concluded with board members thanking staff and students for the preparation and noting the curriculum council's role in vetting the new courses. No formal board action was required on the curriculum items at this meeting.
Looking ahead, administrators said they will continue to monitor student outcomes (including SAT results and AP exam participation) to evaluate the programs’ impact.
