Updates to Chartiers Valley High School’s course catalog next year will expand student access to coursework, improve scheduling flexibility and better align classes with staffing realignments implemented last year, district officials say.
The school board Jan. 13 approved the updates for next school year, said Board President Darren Mariano.
“The revisions reflect a student-centered approach that emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and alignment with college and career readiness goals, while also ensuring responsible use of district resources,” district officials said.
Several courses were combined or restructured for greater differentiation within the classroom, and to make scheduling more accessible to a wider range of students, officials said.
In the Applied Engineering and Technology department, Architecture, Computer-Aided Design, and Robotics classes were consolidated to provide teachers flexibility to meet student needs while expanding access.
In the art department, exploratory and studio courses were merged to improve differentiation and address space and resource constraints, like ceramics storage and kiln use. Painting was expanded from a semester to a full-year course for students to deeper explore the content, according to the district.
The business department added a class called Brewing Innovations: The Entrepreneur and the Scientist, a new ninth grade course designed to support students interested in the Chartiers Valley Coffee Tree Roasters shop as well as those interested in science.
District officials say the class will introduce business and science concepts early in a student’s high school experience.
An Accounting II course is being converted to a College in High School offering through Robert Morris University, pending approval, where students can earn college credit.
A new Colts in Action: Media and Communications course will allow students to highlight and promote positive events across academics, athletics, clubs and arts through student-led media production.
Computer Science classes were expanded with a new AP Cybersecurity class. The class was previously offered as an unweighted course.
District officials say the updated course program aligns curriculum and adds more clarity. Several departments updated course titles to reflect content and align with standard naming conventions.
English courses were renamed to follow a consistent grade-level structure while maintaining the existing curriculum. All sophomores will take an English 10 class to learn required standards in preparation for Keystone Exams, with AP Seminar being available as an elective.
In Social Studies, AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics were added, and U.S. history courses were renamed for clarity and consistency.
Science updates include credit adjustments for AP Physics 2 to align with College Board requirements. A Biomedical Innovation course was eliminated.
Prerequisites were simplified across all departments. Course descriptions were standardized to clearly outline grade level, credit value, course weight and prerequisites.
“Updates to course titles, credits and prerequisites bring greater clarity and alignment with postsecondary expectations, helping students and families make informed choices,” district officials said. “Collectively, these changes promote a more inclusive, innovative learning environment that supports student growth, academic achievement and a positive school culture.”
Other updates include Music Theory being a semester-long course, and the Parkway Career and Technology Center adding a Health Occupations cluster in an effort to grow opportunities for students interested in pursuing healthcare careers.