Valley Central Schools
Faculty and staff work together to foster an educational program that is challenging and meaningful for students. Valley Central is dedicated to educating the whole child and readying students for successful careers and rewarding lives while preparing students to meet the demands of NYS exams and Regents diplomas. The district recognizes that all students do not learn in the same way. In any classroom across the district, there are various strategies and practices at work, such as team teaching, peer tutoring, and differentiated instruction.
Staff are encouraged to be lifelong learners and to always remain cognizant of each child’s individual learning style. The district offers an extensive in-service and professional development program, which includes a formal mentoring program. Teachers and administrators employ a variety of instructional strategies and practices to implement the educational program.
Elementary School
The New York State Standards-based curriculum is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure its focus on basic academic skills, with emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking and good study habits.
Elementary students receive regular instruction in art, music, physical education/ health, computer and library skills. Our computer and library programs include many STEAM activities for our students. In addition, youngsters may choose to participate in a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities.
Middle School
The Valley Central Middle School is home to just under 1,000 students. Students follow a 42-minute, nine-period day and to retain the small school feel, students are assigned to a team and hall. Access the VCMS Course Descriptions at the VCMS Academic Departments webpage.
In grade 7, Advanced courses are offered in English, math, and science. Foreign Language study in Spanish is added in grade 8. Over the course of the three years in VCMS, students study art, music, computer, library skills, home and careers, technology, health, and physical education as well. Accelerated courses in art, math, and science are offered in the 8th grade.
Students are encouraged to become involved in the many extra-curricular activities, clubs, intramurals, and sports available. Many activities and clubs are available at VCMS.
High School
Valley Central High School
School code: 335750
1175 Route 17K
Montgomery, NY 12549
Grade by Grade
9th Grade
- Involvement in school, sports, clubs, etc.
- Naviance – Interest Inventory
- Career Plan Survey – through Google Classroom
10th Grade
- Naviance
- Resume building
- Volunteer
- Clubs/sports
- Set up separate email for college communications
- Job – working papers
- CTEC visit
Grade 11
- PSAT – fall
- College fairs/career fairs
- SAT/ACT
- NCAA Clearinghouse
- Naviance
- College search – fall
- Request letters of recommendation
- Resume
- College visits – spring/summer
Grade 12
- College visit – summer/fall
- SAT/ACT/SAT II
- College apps
- Common app
- SUNY app
- Individual school app
- Green transcript request form
- Naviance
- Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- FAFSA – financial aid application
- Scholarship applications
- Keep folder of all college information including usernames and passwords
- Employment opportunities
Websites
- VCHS Guidance
- Naviance
- College applications
- Commonapp.org
- SUNY.edu
- Individual school websites
- FAFSA
- NCAA.org
- Scholarships
- Naviance
- Cappex.com
- scholarships.com
- Collegeboard.org (SAT registration)
- ACT.org
If employment is your path of choice:
- All 9-12th grade boxes apply.
- Make yourself marketable for life!
- Continue ascending through high school and beyond.
Nearly 1,400 students attend Valley Central High School. Our graduation rate is over 90%. Our high school programs prepare our students for the many paths that they follow after graduation. Access VCHS Course Descriptions at the VCHS Academic Department webpage.
The high school offers Advanced Placement through the College Board, and college credit courses through the SUNY Orange, SUNY Albany and St. Thomas Aquinas College and Cazenovia College. On average, 93 % of our graduates continue their educational experience with some form of post-high school study. VCHS course descriptions are listed by department.
As part of their well-rounded educational options, VCHS students can also choose from dozens of clubs and a variety of athletic teams. Students may also take classes in the technical and occupational career programs at the Orange-Ulster BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services).
Advanced Programs
In an effort to challenge and meet individual students’ academic needs, Valley Central School District offers advanced classes in the following subjects: English (7-12), Social Studies (7-12), Science (7-10), and Math (7-10). Accelerated classes in the areas of Math, Science, Foreign Language and Art are offered in middle school and have the potential to result in high school credits. Collegiate and AP level courses are offered in 11th and 12th grade in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, Business, Art, Music, and Fashion. Entrance to Advanced Classes begins in middle school and is based on academic achievement, assessment scores, and, depending upon the subject, universal screening scores. Continuation in Advanced Classes through high school requires evidence of mastery in the subject during the prior year, as well as a recommendation from the teacher. Please refer to the Middle School course description guide or High School course description guide for specific class requirements, or contact the middle or high school guidance office for additional information regarding your child’s enrollment in the Advanced Classes, Collegiate and/or AP level courses.
Academic Intervention Services
Academic Intervention Services are designed to help students achieve grade level expectations in English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades K-12 and Social Studies and Science in grades 4-12. Academic Intervention Services (AIS) are supplemental instruction and/or student support services intended to assist students in meeting the expectations of the Common Core Learning Standards. These intervention services include additional instruction that supplement the general curriculum.
Response to Intervention Plan
The Valley Central School District provides this comprehensive program of Academic Support Services (AIS) by using a Response-to-Intervention (RTI) multi-step approach for students. The goal of the program is to provide a support system for students in order for them to succeed in their regular academic program and on New York State assessments and Regents exams.
Valley Central School District Guidance Plan
The overall District Guidance Plan can be found here. Each school has its own Guidance Plan as well.
- Berea Elementary Guidance Plan
- East Coldenham Elementary Guidance Plan
- Montgomery Elementary Guidance Plan
- Walden Elementary Guidance Plan
- VCMS Guidance Plan
- VCHS Guidance Plan
Reach the High School Guidance Department here.
Reach the Middle School Guidance Department here.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
The purpose of the, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee is to better understand and respond to the issues of racism that exist in society and at Valley Central. We condemn hatred, injustice, and destruction at all levels. The Valley Central School District wants nothing more than to engage with one another and collaboratively design learning environments that will be liberating for all.
Valley Central Curriculum Council
The purpose of the Valley Central Curriculum Council is to ensure the coordination of a cohesive K-12 Valley Central Curriculum. The Curriculum Council is an advisory committee to the Superintendent. The primary goal of this committee is the ongoing improvement of the Valley Central School District’s educational program. Through the sharing of information and discussion about educational programs, at all levels K-12, the Council seeks to increase student achievement and be ranked in the top 5 school districts in Orange County on all key educational measures K-12.
Family And Community Engagement Meetings
Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) meetings are open community conversations about the Valley Central School District and the educational future of our students. Residents of the district may attend any or all of the meetings. Meeting dates can be found on the district calendar.
School Report Card
New York State Education Law requires school districts to make report card and accountability reports information available on district websites. Click here to view an archive of VCSD State Report Cards.
Every Student Succeeds Act
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, and represents good news for our nation’s schools. This bipartisan measure reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation’s national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. The law builds on key areas of progress in recent years, made possible by the efforts of educators, communities, parents, and students across the country.
Public Complaints Summary
The Board of Education recognizes the right of community citizens to register individual or group concerns regarding instruction, district programs, materials, operations and/or staff members according to BOE Policy 1400.
The main goal of this district is to resolve such concerns with only the parties involved, whenever possible. Public complaints about the school district will be directed to the proper administrative personnel.
Complaints about specific classroom practices shall be directed to the teacher concerned.
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- If the matter is not settled satisfactorily, the complainant may then contact the Building Principal;
- if there is no resolution on this level, the Superintendent of Schools may be contacted.
- If still not satisfied with the decision of Superintendent, the complainant may submit the issue to the School Board President at least four days prior to a regular meeting.
It shall be understood that any or all matters of a personal nature shall be discussed at executive session if, in the judgment of the Board, public discussion of such matters may bring damage to individuals involved. Concerns registered directly to the Board as a whole or to an individual Board member shall be referred as soon as is reasonably possible to the Superintendent for investigation, report, and/or resolution.
Complaints Regarding Title I of the ESEA or Academic Intervention Services
Any person or entity representative alleging the district has not upheld its responsibilities under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as well as the district’s responsibilities for Academic Intervention Services under the Commissioner’s regulations section 100.2(ee), may submit a complaint in writing to the Superintendent. After 30 business days, any decision of the Superintendent which is unsatisfactory to the complainant, or the district’s lack of a response to the complaint, may be appealed to the State Education Department (SED) which has a specific procedure to do so.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from Valley Central High School, students must successfully complete specific requirements. Requirements for each diploma type are issued by the New York State Education Department.