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Welcome to �Shrewsbury High School

8th Grade Curriculum Night

Incoming Class of 2030

February 10, 2026

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Agenda

Welcome
Introductions of Leadership Team
Purpose of the Event

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Not attending Oak MS?

Students from other schools than Oak Middle-leave info in the main office with Director of School Counseling, Angie Flynn or aflynn@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

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Special Education Services

Check in with SHS Director of Special Education, Meghan de Leon, in the main office, or mdeleon@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

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Graduation Requirements

105 credits
Attendance
Local Competency Determination

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Typical Freshman Schedule:

English 9 (Honors, A-Level)
Mathematics

Algebra & Geometry I (A-Level)

Algebra & Geometry II (Honors, Research Methods, or A-Level)

Science

Introductory Physics (Honors, A-Level, lab level)

Biology (Honors, Research Methods, Foundations)

World Civilizations (A-Level)
World Language

French, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin, Heritage Portuguese, Heritage

Spanish, or Linguistics

Physical Education
Health

• Elective (Visual or Performing Arts or Pathway)

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Designing an appropriate program:

• Review the 2026-27 Program of Studies

• Discuss course offerings/opportunities

and ask questions

• Plan for next year and beyond

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• Art Intro

• Ceramics 1

• Ceramics 2

• Creative Sketchbooks

• Introduction to Photoshop with Graphic Design

• Mixed Media

• Sculpture & 3D Design

~ Visual Art ~

Pamela LeBlanc, Director

pleblanc@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

Slide Presentation for Grade 9 Offerings

2026-2027 Program of Studies

Please check the Program of Study (POS) for the sequence of classes on page 83, and review the course descriptions for any prerequisite requirements.

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Technology, Media, & Business

Shawna Powers, Director

smpowers@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

Course Offerings for Freshmen

Intro to Computer Applications
Intro to Web Design *
Intro to TV Production & Film
TV Production & Film 2
Intro to Business

Additional Course Offerings

TV Production & Film 3
Advanced TV & Film Production * (FY)
Broadcast Journalism & TV Production for Morning Announcements (FY)
PLTW Cybersecurity (FY)
PLTW Computer Science Principles (FY)
PLTW Computer Science A (FY)
Personal Finance
Marketing
Accounting

* Satisfies Fine or Performing Arts graduation requirement

Career Pathways:

Business, Computer Science, & Digital Media

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Performing Arts

Michael Lapomardo, Director

Non-performance Electives semester options:

History of Rock & Roll
Techniques of Music Theory
Music Technology
World Drumming
Introduction to Piano
Introduction to Guitar
Guitar 2 (A or Honors level)**
Theatre Arts 1

**requires permission from the instructor

Performance Electives full year options:

Concert Band (A level)
Concert Orchestra (A level)
Freshman Choir (A level)

mlapomardo@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

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Health, Physical Education and Family Consumer Sciences

Jeffrey Lane, Director

jlane@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

Foods of the World (9-12)
Mediterranean Cuisine (9-12) (No ‘26-’27)

Baking and Pastry Methods (9-12)

Leadership in Cooking (10-12)

Physical Education:

Level 1 Physical Education*:

Fitness; Lifetime; Adventure, Creative Movement

*Graduation Requirement

Health Education:

9th Wellness*: Mental Health; Human Sexuality; Alcohol, Tobacco & Drugs *Graduation Requirement

Future Classes in Physical Education:

Level 2 Physical Education*:

Strength & Conditioning, Team Games, Officiating, Advanced Lifetime, Adventure, Leadership in PE

*Graduation Requirement

Future Classes in Health Education:

10th Healthy Living* *Graduation Requirement
11th Lifelong Health* *Graduation Requirement

Family and Consumer Sciences:

Culinary Arts:

Focus on Foods (9-12) (Prerequisite for all culinary courses)

Life Management:

Interior Design (9-12)

Human Growth and Development:

Child Development I (9-11)* (Prerequisite for all ECE courses)

Future Classes in FACS:

Child Development II (10-11)*
Early Childhood Education (11-12)*
Advanced Early Childhood Education (12)*

*All courses participate in our Little Colonials Preschool which supports classroom learning

Health Education is a three (3) semester requirement for graduation in which students progress to subsequent grade level courses based on successful completion.

Additional course offerings include: 10th Grade Health - (Healthy Living Nutrition/ Bullying/ First Aid & CPR) 11th Grade Health - Lifelong Health (Lifestyle Choices & Consequences/ Mental Health/ Bullying) and Global Health as an elective.

Physical Education is a required subject for all SHS students in every grade and must be passed each semester for graduation. Students in grades 9-12 are pre scheduled in Level 1 (9 & 10) or Level 2 (11 & 12) based on grade and will progress through several lifetime, fitness and adventure content areas throughout each semester.

Family and Consumer Science courses are elective based and offered at all levels of students career at SHS. Courses are taught on a semester basis and some have prerequisites in order to matriculate to the next level.

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English Department Offerings

Liza Trombley

ltrombley@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8831

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Grade 9

English 9 is required. It is offered at the A and Honors levels. Both grade 9 English levels offer the same core curriculum aligned to the Massachusetts State Frameworks.

English 9A: Designed for the typically performing English student.

English 9H: Designed for the highly motivated English student; faster pace of instruction; more independent work is expected; mostly 4s, some 3.5s in ELA at Oak.

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Future Years

All grade level English classes offer the same core curriculum. We do not track--students can change levels at the end of their freshman, sophomore, or junior year.

Grade 10

English 10A

Honors English 10

Grade 11

English 11A

Honors English 11

AP English Language

American Studies, English (A level & Honors level)

Grade 12

English 12A

English 12H

AP English Literature

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Social Sciences Department Offerings

Jenn DiFrancesca

jdifrancesca@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8823

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Grade 9 - World Civilizations

All students take at the A-level
World History from 1600s - 2000s
Aligned with the MA History & Social Science Frameworks
Current Events
Opportunities to develop skills related to

Critical reading, writing & thinking
Research, evaluation & analysis of sources

Current 9th graders comparing World Civ to 8th grade…

faster paced… we learn about more topics
more reading and writing
more homework and deadlines

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Future Years

10th grade:

US History I A-level or Honors

11th grade:

US History II A-level or Honors
US History II: American Studies

A-level or Honors

AP US History

12th grade:

AP Human Geography
AP Psychology
AP Comparative Gov & Politics

Semester Courses: A or Honors

American Government
Economics
Global Studies
Law
Psychology (12th only)
Pop Culture
Sociology (11th & 12th only)
Sports in America
World at War

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Science and Engineering Department Offerings

Dave Hruskoci

dhruskoci@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8836

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Science Course Placements

All 9th grade students take a science MCAS test

Results affect school performance data
Students earn scholarship opportunities
Provides Us with feedback on our instruction

Any student may participate in the Science Fair

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Summary of Grade 9 Science Options

Foundations of Bio: 2yr Bio program

Students taking Honors AG2

Hon Bio: Fast Pace/Depth - Chem in grade 10

RM HBio: See above / Requires sci fair project

Students taking other Math courses

Lab IP: additional processing extra review

A level IP: More Depth, less repetition

Honors IP: Goes beyond Frameworks

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Why is math a placement factor for Science?

Answer: When will student be ready for Chemistry?

Chemistry is NUMBER ONE science course students struggle with in HS

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Typical 4 year Sequences

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Summary of Grade 9 Science Options

Foundations of Bio: 2yr Bio program

Lab IP: additional processing extra review

A level IP: More Depth, less repetition

Honors IP: Goes beyond Frameworks

Hon Bio: Fast Pace/Depth - Chem in grade 10

RM HBio: See above / Requires sci fair project

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Mathematics Department Offerings

Amy Prior

aprior@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-8806

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Grade 9 Courses

Algebra & Geometry I

Algebra & Geometry II

Algebra & Geometry II Honors

Research Methods Algebra & Geometry II Honors

Good evening … For the math program there are four options for grade 9 courses: Algebra & Geometry I, Algebra & Geometry II A-level, Algebra & Geometry II Honors and Research Methods Algebra & Geometry II Honors.

Algebra & Geometry I is a course for a student who needs a smaller class size with time spent reviewing and going more in depth with Algebra I standards while also beginning to preview content in Algebra & Geometry II. This course is aligned with the Model Math I standards.

The Algebra & Geometry II A-level and Honors courses follow the same curriculum from a typical Geometry and Algebra II course and are aligned with the Model Math I and Model Math II standards.

The Honors course will move more quickly through the curriculum. Because of the pacing, this course will have time to go more in-depth into some content and is able to progress through some additional standards. A student who chooses the Honors course should be confident with their Grade 8 math content and should be able to apply their previous knowledge as they learn new content.

A student who takes the Research Methods course should also enroll in the Research Methods Honors Biology course. These students will work with the same math curriculum as the regular honors course, but they will be participating in a year long science project. The project is mostly managed in their science class - the math teacher will support students with the data analysis needed for their projects. This course is for students who are interested in learning more about research in Math & Science.

When deciding between courses, please consult with your student’s Grade 8 teacher. They know your student and our program and usually make good recommendations. Since these courses are foundational, we want your students to take the course that will support them best with the content.

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Future Years- Math Course Offerings and Possible Sequences

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A Few Notes…

All pathways allow students the opportunity to take advanced math courses.
Students should take the course at the level that appropriately challenges them so they can build a solid foundation for success.
Levels may vary in subsequent years as performance and interests change.

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World Language

The World Language Program at the Shrewsbury Public Schools believes that all students are capable of learning a language. Our goals are to move students along the proficiency ladder in Modern Languages, and for our Classical Languages, students will be provided with the skills to interpret and develop an understanding and appreciation of Latin Literature while learning how Latin connects to Modern English.

Why continue/study a World Language?

Learn a lifelong skill
Most colleges and universities require 2 years of study but 4 years are encouraged
Earn 12 undergraduate credits for the Seal of Biliteracy
Become a medical interpreter

Kenneth Almeida

Director of World Languages SPS

kalmeida@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us/508-841-8838

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Starting a World Language?

Heritage Language (Portuguese or Spanish)- Schedule a placement test by speaking current language, skills, or ELE teacher. (2/12)
Intro to French/Spanish 1 (emphasis on speaking, writing, reading, listening)
Latin 1 (emphasis on history, reading, some writing or speaking)
Linguistics 1: (Study how language is developed. Lab work and reports required.

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World & Classical Language Strands

9 10 11 12

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Heritage Language Strands

9 10 11 12

Linguistic Strands (Begin any year)

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Honors Level Courses

Designed for highly motivated and independent learners who can follow instruction in the target language at a faster pace
Designed for students with a high degree of grammatical accuracy and consistently score 3.5/4 at Oak

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SHS Career Pathways

Karen Ares

Career & Technical Education Coordinator

kares@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

508-841-1291

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Why choose a Pathway?

Developed in response to the growing need for students to access vocational technical education programs
Help meet the workforce development needs of our region

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Career Pathways at SHS

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CTE Program	Shrewsbury High School	Leicester High School Chap. 74 Vocational Programs **Preferred Vocational Partner	Assabet Valley Chap. 74 Vocational Programs **very limited spots
Manufacturing	X		X
Biomedical Science	X		x (Biotechnology)
Business	X		X (Business Technologies)
Computer Science	X		X (Computer Programming & Web Development)

CTE Programs available to Gr. 8 students

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CTE Program	Shrewsbury High School	Leicester High School Chap. 74 Vocational Programs **Preferred Vocational Partner	Assabet Valley Chap. 74 Vocational Programs **very limited spots
Early Childhood Education	X	X
Digital Media	X
Building & Property Maintenance		X
Health Assisting		X	X (Health Technologies)

CTE Programs available to Gr. 8 students

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CTE Program	Shrewsbury High School	Leicester High School Chap. 74 Vocational Programs **Preferred Vocational Partner	Assabet Valley Chap. 74 Vocational Programs **very limited spots
Culinary Arts		X	X
Electrical		X	X (Electrical Wiring)

CTE Programs available to Gr. 8 students

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Questions?

Auditorium

Science and Engineering
Mathematics
Health, PE, Family Consumer Sciences
Career and Technical Ed

Largess Commons

English
Social Science
World Languages
Technology & Business
Visual Arts
Performing Arts

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