Academics in Guilderland are intended to fulfill and reflect our community’s shared mission, vision, and beliefs.
District Mission
To inspire all students to be active life-long learners, able to achieve their highest potential in a demanding and ever-changing global community.
District Vision
We will provide for all a safe and welcoming environment, where students, parents and staff are joined in the pursuit of academic excellence and personal growth. Thus, we shall provide a rich and rigorous education for all learners that, upon graduation, they are poised, capable and ready to meet the developments, challenges and opportunities of their future.
Curriculum and Instruction
Guilderland’s academic program is recognized as one of the best and most challenging in the Capital District. A rich array of basic goals and outcomes provides focus for the schools’ efforts.
Guilderland’s elementary school program develops students’ confidence in themselves as learners, instills a love of learning and a desire to learn and develops the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for students to communicate effectively, understand the world about them and participate effectively in a democratic society.
At Farnsworth Middle School, students build on this foundation as they continue their educational growth. All students enroll in a second language (French, German, Italian or Spanish) in sixth grade and upon successful completion of the class and a proficiency exam, can earn a high school credit. Students who qualify may enroll in Regents-level math and science courses in eighth grade. Farnsworth Middle School also offers one section of Accelerated Studio in Art for students who qualify. Middle school students develop the competence and confidence necessary to explore and refine their individual interests. Students are currently organized into four “houses”—- Hiawatha, Mohawk, Seneca, and Tawasentha—and in grade level teams within each house.
Guilderland High School provides a comprehensive and challenging program that ensures that students will be successful in advanced educational studies, the work force or other post-graduate plans. High school and college level courses provide students with many opportunities to develop and hone their skills, attitudes, and knowledge. Students may strive to obtain a major in any of the academic areas, elective disciplines such as art or music, or in occupational studies. They may earn AP and/or college credit in each major discipline.
New York State School Report Card
The New York State Education Department releases School Report Cards on every public school and district in the state. Based on some key assessments taken by students in New York public schools, the report cards provide achievement data on districts and schools, as compared to their past years’ performances and to other similar schools.