The K-12 years are important growing and learning years for children. The Wissahickon School District is dedicated to offering a world-class academic experience that includes rigor and support designed to meet the needs of each student at every learning level.
The curricular programs are aligned with the district mission and the Pennsylvania Academic and Core Standards and are intended to prepare all students to be college and career ready upon graduation from our schools, which includes the acquisition of the knowledge, concepts, and skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing global society. The instructional best practices are designed to acknowledge and appreciate the diverse interests, abilities, and learning styles of all students in our program. Wissahickon graduates excel academically and leave us future-ready to thrive and lead wherever their path takes them.
Key Contacts: Elementary and Secondary Curriculum (K-12)
Main Number:
215-619-8000
Jennifer Schmidt, Ed.D.
Director of Teaching and Learning
ext. 1525
Sue Kanopka
Supervisor of Curriculum
ext. 1515
Amy Pescatore
Secretary to the Director of Teaching and Learning
ext. 1510
Elementary School
Elementary school is an exciting time for students. Multiple learning opportunities are offered throughout the school day with a strong emphasis on developing the whole child: academically, socially, and emotionally. The elementary curriculum is based on Pennsylvania State standards and research-based and developmentally appropriate instructional practices. While the elementary core curriculum emphasizes reading, writing, math, social studies, and science, our four elementary schools understand that young children learn best when a variety of engaging activities are planned throughout the day in whole group, small group and individualized formats and frequent movement breaks are embedded. The elementary Encore curriculum includes health and physical education, art, music, and library sciences. Our school counseling program in the elementary grades supports the development of knowledge, attitudes, and skills students need as a foundation for achieving academic success, career and college readiness, and self-management and social skill development. Recess is when our students take a break from learning in the classroom to engage in more informal interactions with their peers. Recess supports the development of social skills and the overall health and well-being of our students.
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Kindergarten Readiness
Children turning 5 on or before September 1 are eligible to enter Kindergarten in the Wissahickon School District. The full-day kindergarten program in the Wissahickon School District is a dynamic, hands-on program that helps students learn about themselves, make meaning of their world, and guides them as they learn how to get along with others. Students learn to take risks, work in groups, focus their attention in new ways, and develop the crucial social skills necessary to flourish. As part of the Kindergarten registration process, all students are screened for readiness. For more information about Kindergarten readiness and registration, click the blue button.
Middle School
Learning at Wissahickon Middle School is a time of growth and discovery. With a solid foundation provided at the elementary level, middle school students are ready to explore and specialize their interests and talents while considering fields they may want to pursue as careers or in college. The middle school curriculum is aligned with national and state standards and provides a personalized learning experience for students with a wide variety of content area explorations and opportunities for student choice. Every aspect of teaching is designed to build a positive relationship with students, as well as instructional best practices targeted to meet learners' individual needs and abilities.
In addition to the rigorous core academic program in English language arts, math, science, social studies, and health and physical education, students experience a wide variety of electives, including art, music, family and consumer sciences, and technology education. The world language program commences at the middle school, allowing students to develop a strong foundation and explore the culture of their chosen language. Dedicated learning spaces such as the middle school MakerSpace give students the opportunity to learn and apply science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills through engaging, hands-on activities.
As students begin to discover their academic pathways in preparation for the transition to high school, 8th-grade families are invited to attend a Program of Studies Night in January each year to learn more about the WHS curriculum and course selection process. WHS Honors students meet with selected 8th graders to answer questions about enrolling in an Honors course.
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High School
Grades 9-12 are a significant time for academic and personal development. Wissahickon high school students continue to explore their interests and prepare for the fields they may pursue in career and college. The high school curricular program reflects the diversity of the student body. Students may specialize their education by choosing a wide range of electives and core curricula with differentiated course offerings at various levels designed to match course rigor with student potential and achievement (Academic, Honors, and AP). See more details in the menu by clicking on the + sign.
The curriculum in all subject areas is based on state and national standards and encourages intellectual curiosity. In the core subject areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health, wellness, and physical education, students learn how to think critically, problem-solve, ask deeper questions, and challenge themselves personally while collaborating with classmates through hands-on experiments, project-based learning, and interactive discussions. The elective areas allow students to extend their learning, explore their passions, and refine their skills in various disciplines, including art, music, world language, business, family and consumer sciences, and technology, engineering, and computer science. Dedicated learning spaces such as the Fab Lab give students the opportunity to experience engaging, hands-on applications of science, technology, engineering, and math skills.
Students interested in earning college credit may take dual credit courses offered in partnership with Montgomery County Community College. Students interested in technical or trade occupations may choose from 22 programs at the North Montco Technical Career Center including a highly competitive Allied Health Technology program. Internship opportunities are also in place as seniors explore different career/college interests.
Our Wissahickon graduates launch into the world as compassionate citizens, motivational leaders, and passionate thinkers who will deliver remarkable societal results over a lifetime.
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Difference Between AP, Honors, and Academic Courses
Advanced Placement
An AP course follows the prescribed College Board curriculum, challenging students with college-level work in both rigor and expectations in preparation for the AP exam. Students enrolled in an AP course undertake a rigorous workload that involves extensive reading, writing, problem solving and critical thinking. Essential to success in this course is the ability to learn independently outside the classroom.
Honors
An Honors course follows a challenging curriculum prescribed by each department and develops higher-level thinking skills using an accelerated pace and enriched content. Honors courses prepare students in their progress toward meeting the challenges of highly competitive college work. Students enrolled in an Honors course undertake a rigorous workload that involves extensive reading, writing, problem solving and critical thinking. Essential to success in this course is the ability to learn independently outside the classroom.
Academic
An Academic course follows a challenging curriculum prescribed by each department and develops higher-level thinking skills using appropriate pace and content. Academic courses prepare students to meet Pennsylvania graduation requirements and future study. Students enrolled in an Academic course undertake an appropriate workload that involves reading, writing, and problem solving. Essential to success in this course is the ability to learn through guided instruction and complete work outside the classroom.
North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC)
North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) offers 22 programs within eight cluster areas, including: Construction Trades, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Engineering/Manufacturing, Horticulture, Health & Human Services, Power & Transportation and Visual Communications. The school serves approximately 1000 students from five surrounding school districts. The program features school-to-career learning programs including internships, apprenticeships, and opportunities for cooperative education. Students can attend the school as either part-time or full-time enrollees.
NMTCC is also host to its highly competitive Allied Health Technology program in which students interested in a medical or health science career participate in clinical rotations and classes at Abington Lansdale Hospital and the Biotechnology program, which is a laboratory intensive program that offers students eight college credits.
Wissahickon High School students and families are invited to attend a Program of Studies Night in January each year to learn more about the WHS curriculum and course selection process.