Academics
COURSE OF STUDY
To graduate from FLACS High School students must earn 44 credits total, including:
- English Language Arts - 8 credits
- Social Studies - 10 credits
- Mathematics - 6 credits
- Science - 6 credits
- World Language - 2 credits (6 credits for an Advanced Diploma)
- Arts - 2 creditsHealth - 1 credits
- PE - 4 credits
All other credits are elective credits in one of the areas above or other areas such as Computer Science. Students may graduate with more than 44 credits.
Click here to access the course catalog to see all courses or choose a department to see the sequence of courses offered.
English Language Arts
English Language Arts courses at FLACS High School foster critical thinking, reading and writing skills, and empathy in students by exposing them to diverse voices and perspectives with a focus on social justice. Through the study of literature, students will explore themes of equity, identity, and systematic injustice, encouraging them to reflect on their own roles within society. By engaging with texts that highlight traditionally marginalized experiences, students will develop a deeper understanding of social issues and the importance of advocacy. Ultimately, ELA courses empower students to become informed and active citizens who contribute to a more just and equitable world.
Requirements
Students are required to earn 8 credits (the equivalent of four year-long courses).
Additionally, all students must sit for and pass the ELA Regents exam with a score of 65 or above, which is typically taken in junior year. A score of 3 or above on the AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition exam will also fulfill the requirement for the Regents exam.
Courses
Students are required to take the sequence of courses below:
- Grade 9 - ELA 09
- Grade 10 - ELA 10
- Grade 11 - ELA 11 or an approved alternative
- Grade 12 - ELA 12 or an approved alternative
In Grade 11, the approved alternatives are:
- ELA 11 Honors
- AP Language and Composition*
In Grade 12, the approved alternatives are:
- AP Language and Composition
- AP Literature and Composition**
- Creative Writing**
Note: Courses with a (*) will not be offered until 2025-26. Courses with a (**) will not be offered until 2026-27.
Click here to access the course catalog to see more information about ELA courses.
Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathematics and computer science courses at FLACS High School build problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Throughout all of the courses, there is an emphasis on modeling which links classroom mathematics and statistics to everyday life, work, and decision-making. Modeling is the process of choosing and using appropriate mathematics and statistics to analyze empirical situations, to understand them better, and to improve decisions.
Requirements
Students are required to earn 6 credits (the equivalent of three year-long courses). FLACS recommends students take 2 additional credits to demonstrate college readiness.
Additionally, all students must pass at least one math Regents to graduate. Students who wish to pursue an Advanced Regents Diploma must pass all three math Regents exams (Algebra I, Geometry, & Algebra II).
Courses
For students who took and passed Algebra I in 8th grade:
Grade 09 - Geometry
Grade 10 - Algebra II
Grade 10 - Algebra II
Grade 11 - Precalculus
Grade 12 - AP Statistics or AP Calculus AB
Grade 12 - AP Statistics or AP Calculus AB
Note: In Grade 11, students can choose to take AP Statistics if they are also enrolled in Precalculus.
For students who did not take and/or pass Algebra I in 8th grade:
Grade 09 - Algebra I
Grade 10 - Geometry
Grade 11 - Algebra II
Grade 12 - AP Statistics or Precalculus
Grade 10 - Geometry
Grade 11 - Algebra II
Grade 12 - AP Statistics or Precalculus
Note: In Grade 10, students can choose to take Geometry and Algebra II to accelerate their math learning.
For students who are in need of extra support in mathematics, FLACS offers a three-semester course of Algebra I and Geometry.
Grade 09 - Algebra I
Grade 10 - Algebra I and Geometry
Grade 11 - Geometry
Grade 12 - Algebra II
Grade 10 - Algebra I and Geometry
Grade 11 - Geometry
Grade 12 - Algebra II
Click here to access the course catalog to see more information about Mathematics courses.
Science
At FLACS High School, the goal of the science program is to ensure that students are scientifically literate and that students can reason abstractly and solve problems that do not have a single correct answer. Students learn content through dialog, collaboration, and working through real-world problems.
Requirements
Students are required to earn 6 credits (the equivalent of three year-long courses) in science. FLACS recommends students take 2 additional credits to demonstrate college readiness.
Students are required to earn 6 credits (the equivalent of three year-long courses) in science. FLACS recommends students take 2 additional credits to demonstrate college readiness.
Course Sequence
Grade 09 - Biology or Earth Science*
Grade 10 - Earth Science or Chemistry
Grade 11 - Earth Science or Chemistry or Physics** or College Biology
Grade 12 - Chemistry or Physics or College Biology
Grade 10 - Earth Science or Chemistry
Grade 11 - Earth Science or Chemistry or Physics** or College Biology
Grade 12 - Chemistry or Physics or College Biology
* Students may only take Earth Science if they already earned credit for Biology
** This course will not be offered until 2025-26
*** Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 may choose to take a second science course as one of their electives
** This course will not be offered until 2025-26
*** Students in grades 10, 11, and 12 may choose to take a second science course as one of their electives
Click here to access the course catalog to see more details about each of these courses.
Social Studies
In order to be productive members and change agents in their local and global communities, students must understand the context of these communities. The study of history, geography, and civics helps students build an understanding for the structures and systems of their world. A major focus of the social studies department is helping students build an understanding of perspectives (whose perspective is shared and whose perspectives are not), learn to evaluate sources for bias and validity and construct arguments using these sources.
Requirements
Students are required to earn 10 credits in social studies to graduate from FLACS High School.
Courses
All students are required to take the following courses:
All students are required to take the following courses:
Grade 09 - Global History and Geography I (full-year)
Grade 10 - Global History and Geography II (full-year)
Grade 11 - US History (full-year) OR AP US History (full-year)
Grade 12 - Civics Capstone Seminar (full-year) AND Economics and Financial Literacy (full-year)
Grade 10 - Global History and Geography II (full-year)
Grade 11 - US History (full-year) OR AP US History (full-year)
Grade 12 - Civics Capstone Seminar (full-year) AND Economics and Financial Literacy (full-year)
Students may also choose to take additional social studies elective offerings
Descriptions of each course are listed in the course catalog.
Arts
At FLACS HS, art courses allow students the opportunity to participate in visual arts and music learning. In these courses, students explore the four artistic processes (creating, performing/presenting/ producing, responding, and connecting). Throughout all courses, students are exposed to art from diverse cultures and individuals and are encouraged to understand how artistic expression is used to reinforce and challenge societal norms and expectations.
Students are required to earn at least two credits (two semesters) in the arts to graduate, but no specific course is required.
Arts Courses
- Introduction to Music I (Percussion, Fall)
- Introduction to Music II (String Instruments, Spring)
- Chorus (Fall and Spring)
- Introduction to Visual Arts I (Drawing and Painting, Fall)
- Introduction to Visual Arts II (Sculpture and Mixed Media, Spring)
- Studio Painting I (Fall)
- Studio Painting II (Spring)
Click here to access the course catalog.
Health and Physical Education
At FLACS HS, there is a one-credit required health course, which students take in Grade 9. As required by the NYS Education Department, all students must take Physical Education (PE) every semester for a total of four credits by graduation.
Click here to access the course catalog to see course descriptions.
World Language
Knowing another language is an important skill to function in a multicultural society. FLACS offers instruction in the Spanish language. Students learn to listen, speak, read and write in Spanish and gain an appreciation for the diverse groups of peoples around the world who speak the language.
Students are required to earn 2 credits to graduate with a Regents Diploma, and 6 credits to graduate with an Advanced Regents diploma. Students may be placed into higher level courses based on a proficiency exam or other evidence.
Students may choose to take the Checkpoint B exam, typically taken at the end of Spanish III, which fulfills the +1 requirement for the Regents
Course Sequence
Spanish I
Spanish II*
Spanish III*
Spanish IV or AP Spanish Language & Composition
AP Spanish Literature
Spanish II*
Spanish III*
Spanish IV or AP Spanish Language & Composition
AP Spanish Literature
* Students may take Spanish II/III, which is an accelerated one-year course covering the content in Spanish II/III
Click here to access the course catalog to see course offerings in World Language.
Seal of Biliteracy
Students who take AP Spanish Literature & Composition or Spanish IV or more advanced courses may choose to apply for the Seal of Biliteracy, which is an added endorsement on their diploma. Students earn this seal by taking certain courses, earning certain scores on tests of English and Spanish, and/or completing projects in the target languages. More information will be available soon.
Students who take AP Spanish Literature & Composition or Spanish IV or more advanced courses may choose to apply for the Seal of Biliteracy, which is an added endorsement on their diploma. Students earn this seal by taking certain courses, earning certain scores on tests of English and Spanish, and/or completing projects in the target languages. More information will be available soon.
Senior Capstone Civics Project
Coming Soon...
College Level Courses
Students at FLACS HS have access to two types of college-level opportunities - AP Courses and Dual Enrollment courses. These are excellent opportunities for students to experience college-level work, demonstrate to colleges that they are ready for college-level work, and potentially earn college credit.
AP Courses - Advanced Placement classes (or AP classes, for short) are high school courses with college-level curricula and examinations created by the College Board. In some cases, students can earn college credit by taking and successfully completing an AP class. AP classes are taught in high schools by high school teachers. In addition to passing an AP class, students must typically pass the AP test with a score of 3, 4, or 5 to earn college credit. Some colleges only accept 4 and 5 scores.
Dual Enrollment Courses - FLACS HS has a partnership with Syracuse University. Dual enrollment means taking a college course taught by a FLACS instructor who has been certified to deliver college-level coursework through Syracuse University to earn both college credit and high school credit. Students enrolled in and who pass these courses will receive a college transcript from Syracuse University that shows they received credit from Syracuse University. Many colleges will accept these credits as transfer credits.
In 2024-2025, FLACS HS will offer the following college-level courses:
- College Biology
- Introduction to Psychology
In 2025-2026, FLACS will offer the following college-level courses:
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP Spanish Language and Composition
- AP Calculus AB
- College Biology
- AP US History
- Introduction to Psychology
Click here to access the course catalog to see planned course offerings for future years.
Academic Supports
FLACS offers support for students who need it. Below are some examples of support that are offered:
Office Hours
Teachers will host office hours, typically after school, where students can drop in for extra support. Specific hours are shared by individual teachers on their syllabi.
English as a New Language (ENL):
Depending on their knowledge and proficiency in English, students may be programmed for a separate course taught by an English as a New Language teacher to help them learn the skills in English needed to access high school-level courses. Students who do not need such intensive support will receive support from an English as a New Language teacher in their regular courses.
Special Education:
Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) receive services from special education providers. FLACS offers ICT and SETSS settings, as well as related services. Counseling is provided by a FLACS staff member and FLACS works with NYC DOE to bring in providers for Speech, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.
Workshop Courses
Workshop courses are intended to provide intensive support to students who need these so that they can access high school level work. These courses are uncredited, but help provide an important foundation for future high school work.
Credit Recovery
A variety of options during the school year and/or summer are provided to students if they fail a course and are missing a credit.