Our mission is to provide an equitable, supportive, and student-centered learning environment where all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Schenectady High School
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Schenectady High School Families, Students, and Community,
As we enter the final month of the school year, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and determination that have brought us to this point. June is a critical time—Regents and Final Exams are upon us, and we need to stay focused and engaged through the finish line. Every single day counts, and attendance is key to success.
We ask all parents and guardians to make sure both you and your student are clear on which Regents exams they are scheduled to take. If you have any questions or require clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact our school staff. It’s also important to review transportation arrangements for exam days so students arrive on time, ready to do their best.
A good night’s rest before each exam is crucial—being well-rested helps students stay alert, focused, and confident during testing.
Prom season is also upon us! Students have received detailed prom information in their school email accounts, so please encourage them to check for updates and announcements.
And of course, we are all looking forward to graduation—a celebration of effort, growth, and achievement. We will continue to share important details about the ceremony to ensure everyone is prepared for this memorable occasion.
Let’s close out the year strong, with pride!
Warm regards,
Principal Green
SHS GRADUATION
Our graduation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 26th, at 6:00 PM on our Schenectady High School turf field.
Tickets will be given to the graduates at the rehearsal.
Tickets for graduation will be given to the graduates during rehearsal. Each graduate at rehearsal will receive 4 guest tickets for seating on the field.
Non-ticketed seating will be available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis in the bleacher section.
Graduation rehearsal attendance is required for graduates and will be held on Wednesday, June 25th, at 11:30 a.m. in the Auditorium at Schenectady High School. Attendance is mandatory. Breakfast will be provided at 11:00 a.m.
Cap & Gown Distribution: • Will take place on June 2nd and June 3rd in the HS Auditorium during students’ English classes and lunch periods. The cost is $25, payable in cash only. Please see your counselor with any questions.
• TIP – Any wrinkles can be removed using a cool iron before wearing.
Letter sent home on 4/16/2025
Check out our SHS Student Patriot Post
Alternative Locations for Lunch
Yearbook & School Pictures!
Peer tutoring available!
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Updates from our Leadership Communities
Freshman Academy
Phil Weinman, Academy Principal
Kargsia McDuffie, Assistant Principal
Charles Paravella, Assistant Principal
Dear Freshman Academy Families,
We are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of over 60 students who earned Honor Roll recognition for three consecutive quarters! Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence are truly inspiring.
As we approach the end of the school year, we want to remind you that Regents Exams are just around the corner. To support our students, we are offering review sessions every day after school and on Saturdays. These sessions are a valuable opportunity for students to reinforce their understanding and prepare with confidence.
Let’s work together to finish the year strong! Thank you for your continued support.
Humanities, Communications, & Advocacy Leadership Community
Jocelyn Hoffmann, HCA Principal
Justin Lansley, HCA Assistant Principal
On June 3, we will be celebrating students who made the Honor Roll for Quarter 3. The celebration will take place during A, B, and C lunches, in the Library. Students will receive their certificates and ice cream. Thank you to the School Store for donating the ice cream!
We will have our Senior Awards Night on June 4! Seniors who will be recognized should have gotten invitations in the mail. Congratulations to our Senior scholars!
On May 19, our Education students visited Howe Elementary to help kick off College & Career Week. SHS Education students spent time reading to Elementary kids. Our students expressed a ton of positivity around the experience and asked to visit more schools. We are having fun while cultivating our future educators =).
Below is a short video clip with more information, as well as a photo of some of our current Education 1 students at Howe.
We are also pleased to recognize Alana Pomykaj, as our Featured Student, and Ms. Ruggiero, as our Featured Teacher! See slides below for more details.
Click this link to join our Google Classroom: HCA Google Classroom
STEM Leadership Community
Wendy Ausfeld, STEM Principal
Matthew Morgan, STEM Assistant Principal
On May 27th an IB Celebration was held in the evening to showcase the hard work of our students and teachers. Current and past students and parents attended. It was such a great evening! Check out the picture collage below!
Take a look at our Google Classroom here: STEM Google Classroom
Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship Leadership Community
Dr. Ady Piña, BME Principal
Daniel Hepp, BME Assistant Principal
On Tuesday June 3rd, we will be celebrating students who made the Honor Roll for Quarter 3. The celebration will take place during A, B, and C lunches. The location of the Honor Roll will be in the Library. For the Honor Roll, students will receive their certificate and ice cream. The ice cream was donated by the School Store.
Take a look at our Google Classroom here: BME Google Classroom
Visual & Performing Arts Leadership Community
Jason Belknap, VPA Principal
Brandon Coon, VPA Assistant Principal
May Events in Review:
SHS participated in the district's Annual Art Exhibit at the ViaPort Rotterdam Mall this month. The opening reception was well-received with students, families, and staff observing hundreds of original art pieces created by the students of the district in their art classes. Congratulations to all of the young artists, and to all of our amazing art teachers who inspire and guide us every day!
The Spring Concert occurred on May 8 featuring outstanding musicianship from the Jazz 1 & 2 Ensembles, Concert Choir, Chamber Strings, Serenaders, Concert & Symphonic Bands, Harmonears Treble Choir, and Patriot Orchestra. Repertoire featured a variety of contemporary and standards-based repertoire for an evening filled of joy and song. Congratulations to the conductors and music students for such a great concert!
The third annual Musical Theatre Student Showcase at Proctors was on Wednesday, May 14th. The students of the partnership program performed multiple songs featuring solo and ensemble singing and original choreography from Artists in Residence Brittney Griffen and Donnaya Pleasure. The performers were also joined by second graders from Zoller and Van Corlaer Elementary schools. Congratulations to the all of the performers and their teachers!
Project Dance took the stage on May 20th - this showcase of the SHS dance classes was a phenomenal, artistic tribute to hard practice and cultivated talent. Congratulations to all of the dancers and to their teachers!
SHS Blue Roses Theatre Company presented "Surprise! A Series of Student-Written Plays that Feature the Unexpected!" on May 30th and 31st in the William W. Ziskin Black Box Theatre. This featured all SHS-student-written dramatics, and is the final event of the 2024-2025 season. Congratulations to the creativity and execution of our students, and for the mentoring provided by the awesome drama teachers!
Coordinator of Student Support Services at SHS
Mrs. Carolyn Manzella
The Coordinator of Student Support Services at SHS will collaborate closely with School Psychologists, Special Education teachers, Building Principals, and other related service providers. Together, they will craft Individualized Education Plans (I.E.Ps) and FBA/BIPS (Functional Behavior Assessments/Behavior Improvement Plans). This collaborative effort aims to ensure that program services align with the district's vision and are fully compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
Home & School Alliance
LaShanda Blanks, SHS Parent Empowerment Center Facilitator
The Parent Empowerment Center Pantry is able to provide our families with up to 3 days' worth of meals, twice a month, while you get assistance with a permanent plan. Inventory subject to change & available on as as-needed basis.
Complete THIS FORM for your needs.