Advanced Coursework Opportunities

MCS offers multiple opportunities for students to participate in advanced coursework. While advanced coursework provides an opportunity for students to gain skills at a higher level, advanced coursework provides other benefits as well, such as:

  • Improving a student’s self-confidence and image of self.
  •  Demonstrating a student’s preparedness for college-level coursework.
  •  Earning college credit(s) prior to graduation.
  •  Reducing future costs for higher education.
  •  Reducing the amount of time that the student must spend in secondary and/or post-secondary school.

For the 2025-26 school year, the following advanced courses are available to qualifying students:

Grades 7-8

Accelerated Math 7 
Accelerated Science 7
Grade 8 Algebra 1
Grade 8 Living Environment

Grades 9-12

Advanced Placement Classes through College Board

AP Psychology
AP World History: Modern
AP United States History
AP Literature and Composition
AP Environmental Science
AP Environmental Science

Honors Classes

ELA 10 Honor

CIHS (College in the High School) Classes

SUNY Cobleskill
CIHS American Government
CIHS Micro Economics
CIHS Intro to Literature
CIHS Sociology
CIHS CAD/CAM
CIHS Intro to Agribusiness
CIHS Statistics

SUNY Albany
CIHS Spanish IV

To be eligible for these courses, students must prepare by taking the necessary prerequisite courses and maintaining good academic standing.  Students may be placed in advanced coursework through teacher recommendation and/or student or parent request. Counselors are available to support students and families in planning an appropriate academic pathway. See the course catalog for additional information. 

If you would like more information on the requirements for entry into advanced courses, please email Kelly Pacatte at kelly.pacatte@mcsdny.org or Paul Pierce at paul.pierce@mcsdny.org. In some cases, families are responsible for tuition to take these courses or Advanced Placement exam fees. Information on academic and financial assistance will be made available to interested students.