Departments & Services Links
About our Academic Departments
Niskayuna Central School District’s faculty and administrators work together to develop and provide an educational program that is both challenging and meaningful for students.
Art & Design
The art and design program offers numerous discipline-based courses aimed at expanding students’ skill development and conceptual understanding in art production, aesthetic judgment, art criticism and art history.
Director: Sara Bussert, (518) 382-2511, ext. 21738
Business
The Business Education curriculum has a three-fold purpose: to provide knowledge and skills as a foundation for college, to give students information helpful in carrying on personal business affairs more efficiently, and to prepare students for making informed economic decisions in life.
Director: Ashley Rickert, (518) 377-4666, ext. 50752
English
The English program aims in its four-year sequence to cultivate interest and competence in, as well as respect for, language and literature. The program is intended to assure steady growth in the student’s ability to write and speak well; to read and listen with understanding and insight; and to think critically.
Director: Megan Collins, (518) 377-4666, ext. 50751
English as a New Language (ENL)
All students who come from a family in which a language other than English is spoken will be screened. Students who score below a score of “proficient” on the NYS Identification Test of English Language Learners will be enrolled in ENL and take another assessment in May to determine continued eligibility. The curricular emphasis, including listening and comprehension, oral expression, and writing for literary and technical purposes, enhances students’ ability to use English, allowing them to fully participate in an academic environment.
Director: Michael Brannigan, (518) 382-2511, ext. 21665
Family & Consumer Sciences
The mission of the Family and Consumer Sciences program is to help individuals become competent, self-reliant, confident and caring in managing their personal, family and work lives. Our program supports students in building independent living skills while exploring careers in food and nutrition as well as in human services and family studies.
Director: Anthony Malizia, (518) 382-2511, ext. 21709
Health & Physical Education
The Health & Physical Education department requires all students to take physical education and offers a variety of activity-based courses along with health education that helps students build physical fitness, wellness knowledge, and skills for lifelong health.
Director: Matthew Ronca, (518) 382-2511, ext. 21761
Library Media
The Library Media department manages print and digital resources, teaches students information and digital literacy, and collaborates with teachers to integrate these skills into the curriculum.
Director: Megan Collins, (518) 377-4666, ext. 50751
Mathematics
The mathematics program is designed to equip students with the essential concepts and skills required for mathematical competence and to prepare them for advanced studies. Our courses are dedicated to deepening students’ understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts and enhancing their problem-solving abilities.
Director: Ashley Rickert, (518) 377-4666, ext. 50752
Music
The music program provides students the opportunity to find a richer life by guiding them to a better understanding of music.
Director: Eric Hughes, (518) 382-2511, ext. 21711
Science & Engineering Technology
Science is concerned with the facts, concepts and processes at work in the physical and biological worlds. Instruction provides for the historical perspective of science and its relation to problems in society and technology. Emphasis is placed on the development of problem-solving skills and informed scientific attitudes. The aim is to provide a broad, relevant and meaningful science program to educate all students in 21st century skills necessary to prepare them for success in today’s competitive global economy.
Technology is constantly changing and improving the lives of people in our world and engineers are at the center of this progress. Engineering Technology educators are committed to ensuring that our students keep pace with the technological innovations of today and are prepared for the careers of tomorrow.
Director: Michael Kloczko, (518) 477-3666, ext. 50723
Social Studies
The Social Studies program has as its prime objective the development of informed, responsible and active citizens. Citizens such as these must understand the interconnected world in which they live, and be able to apply knowledge and skills learned in the program to new and divergent problems and possibilities.
Director: Michael Palanza, 518-377-4666, ext. 50755
World Language
The aim of instruction in modern languages is to provide increasing competence in listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural understanding. Concurrent with the development of language skills, instruction will aim to provide cultural insight and understanding of other people, their land and geography, their history, their thought and action.
Director: Michael Palanza, 518-377-4666, ext. 50755
More information
- View complete information about our Academics.
- Niskayuna High School Program of Studies
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