Educational Programs
Academic Intervention Services
Academic Intervention Services (AIS) are services designed to help students achieve the learning standards in English language arts and math in grades K-12 and social studies and science in grades 10-12. These are services needed to address barriers to improved academic performance and/or additional instruction that supplements regular classroom instruction.Students who meet the criteria on the North Syracuse Central School District’s adopted norm referenced test and/or score below the state determined proficiency level on the New York State Assessments, may be eligible to receive Academic Intervention Services. State assessments are given in English Language Arts and mathematics in third through eighth grades. At the high school level, students who do not pass NYS Regents examinations may also be eligible for Academic Intervention Services.
For further information regarding these programs, contact the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, Christopher Leahey at 315/218-2124 for grades 5-12 or the Director of Elementary Education, Gregory Stone at 315/218-2118 for grades K-4.
BOCES Occupational Education
Students enrolled in the Occupational Education Program in the North Syracuse Central School District have the opportunity to enhance their learning by completing their training with the advanced programs offered through
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES at their occupational centers.Occupational education sequences at Cicero-North Syracuse High School are offered in conjunction with those programs available at the OCM BOCES centers.
OCM BOCES programs are either one or two-year sequences, open to any 11th and 12th grade student with a variety of courses available. In addition, OCM BOCES’ New Vision Program offers 12th grade students the opportunity to participate in a variety of career fields (e.g., law enforcement, health services, etc.). Students attend half-day sessions, either in the morning or the afternoon, and busing is provided for students taking courses at any of the OCM BOCES centers.
For more information on OCM BOCES programs, contact the counselors at Cicero-North Syracuse High School at (315) 218-4120.
Career Education
Career Education Centers are located at both the North Syracuse Junior High School and Cicero-North Syracuse High School. The program’s goal is to provide 8th through 12th grade students with subject matter and workforce preparation skills that will prepare them for post-secondary studies and/or gainful employment in a career field of interest to them while nurturing a lifelong-learning attitude.Specific opportunities are offered to students at the 8th through 12th grade levels including home & career skills, Career Connections and Collaborative School/Business Partnerships. Cicero-North Syracuse High School students also have the option to participate in job shadows and the Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP).
To reach the Career Centers during the school year, call the North Syracuse Junior High School Career Center at (315) 218-3600 or the Cicero-North Syracuse High School Career Center at (315) 218-4193.
Early Education Program
The Early Education Program offers an inclusive preschool special education program for three and four year olds. Children with special needs participate in a child-centered and socially stimulating learning experience with their preschool peers at the Main Street School. A preschool program on a tuition-basis is also available at the Main Street School for non-disabled preschool children between three and five years of age. Parents and teachers work closely together to design a stimulating and productive learning program for each child in a highly enriched, inclusive preschool environment.
For information, contact the principal of the Early Education Program at 315-218-2201.
English as a New Language
It is the responsibility of the North Syracuse Central School District to identify pupils with limited English proficiency (LEP), to provide sufficient instructional and support services to insure that all state standards are met, and to provide equal educational opportunities for LEP pupils to participate in all school programs and extra-curricular activities.
All pupils who utilize English as a Second Language, will be screened to determine if they qualify as Limited English Proficiency students.
Eligible students will be provided with an English As A Second Language (ESL) program, which is sensitive to the first languages and cultures of the students. ESL programs are held at the following schools:
- Allen Road Elementary School (K-4)
- Cicero Elementary School (K-4)
- Gillette Road Middle School (5-7)
- Roxboro Road Middle School (5-7)
- North Syracuse Junior High School (8-9)
- Cicero-North Syracuse High School (10-12)
The district will hold regular meetings at least twice a year for parents/guardians of English learners. At those meetings, parents will be provided with information to help understand the goals of the students program.
Parents have the right to:
- Request that their child be immediately removed from the instructional bilingual program.
- Decline their child’s participation in the instructional bilingual program, or choose another available program or method of instruction.
- Request assistance in selecting from among the various programs and methods of instruction available.
Questions regarding this notice or to request a copy of the district’s policy, please contact the Director of Instructional Leadership, ENL, Library and Media at (315) 218-2165. For additional information about ENL, click here to visit the website.
General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
The The district contracts with OCM BOCES for General Equivalency Diploma (now called TASC - Test Assessing Secondary Completion) programs designed to give students and adults (ages 16 and older) who did not complete high school an opportunity to earn their high school diplomas. Students do not have to pay any fees to participate in this program.
The program for 16 and 17 year olds is conducted at BOCES. Classes are held Monday through Friday, either 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM or 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Students must be referred to the program through their high school counselor. To be eligible, students must complete an application form, meet with a school representative and be 16 years old prior to July 1st.
The GED/TASC Preparation Program for students age 18 and older is also offered by OCM BOCES. The student must complete a registration application at BOCES. Contact the OCM BOCES Program Coordinator with questions regarding their GED/TASC program at (315) 433-8353.
The State Education Department maintains a Hotline (1-518-474-5906) for any questions regarding GED/TASC preparation programs, testing dates, or eligibility requirements. Email inquiries can also be sent to hse@nysed.gov.
Languages Other than English (LOTE)
Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. The United States must educate students who are equipped linguistically and culturally to communicate successfully in a pluralistic American society and abroad. This imperative envisions a future in which ALL students will develop and maintain proficiency in English and at least one other language, modern, or classical. Children who come to school from non-English-speaking backgrounds should also have opportunities to develop further proficiencies in their first language.
North Syracuse Central School District offers instruction in French and Spanish in grades 7-12. Advanced courses are offered in the high school for credit at local colleges.
New York State Indian Education Program
The North Syracuse School District offers academic supports to eligible Native American and Alaskan Native students of the District. Academic support costs are covered by grant funding available through the United State Office of Indian Affairs. Based on funding, the following supports may be offered to students:
- After-School Tutoring Provided by Certified Teachers for students Grades K-12
- Financial Support for Advanced Placement Courses and SAT Registration
- School-Based Academic Counseling for students Grades 5-12
The tutoring services are open to eligible Native American students in grades K-12. Tutors are certified teachers and take place at district school buildings or local libraries. Tutoring supports may be limited based on funding and number of students participating.
Once Native Americans/Alaskan Natives reach 5th grade, they are assigned a Native American guidance counselor. The counselor is assigned to help students be academically successful throughout middle, junior and high school. Some of the activities that your child may participate in include:
- Monitoring of grades and attendance at the close of each marking period to ensure success
- Discovering interests through interest inventories to help identify career aptitude
- Exploring college and career readiness using Naviance
- Learning about The Common App and the ins and outs of online undergraduate college applications
- Touring a local college
- Meeting with a state representative to learn more about Native American scholarships and grants available
To find out more about your supports available through the Native American grant, please contact the Cicero-North Syracuse guidance counselor, Courtney Kwilos. She may be reached at (315) 281-2142 or ckwiolos@nscsd.org.
To qualify for the program, you must complete an Indian Student Eligibility Certification Form of 506 form. For additional information, contact the office of Christopher R. Leahey, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at (315) 218-2148 or cleahey@nscsd.org.
Special Education
The North Syracuse Central School District offers a wide range of supports for those students who qualify for services under the Part 200 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The Committee on Special Education (CSE), upon review of all evaluative data, will determine the appropriate services required for a student and will develop and approve an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students who meet the eligibility criteria for special education.
For further information, contact the Office of Diverse Learning and Student Support at (315) 218-2144.
Summer Programs
The North Syracuse Central School District, through the auspices of the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES, offers secondary summer school programs to students in grades 7-8 and 9-12. Students must meet the summer school eligibility requirements to enroll in summer school.
OCM BOCES also provides summer school programs for students with special needs as determined by the CSE. The BOCES Program provides support for school age students, while the Main Street School Early Education Program delivers support for preschool students.
For additional information about other summer programs, please call (315) 218-2100.
Universal Pre-K
The North Syracuse Central School District has a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program, which is funded by New York State. Through the program, eligible children can receive a pre-kindergarten education at participating sites.
Registration dates are posted on the district's website each year. Eligible children must live in the North Syracuse Central School District and must be four years old on or before December 1st of the school year. Click here to read more about the UPK Program on the Registration website.
