New Student

In addition, we anticipate that every freshman will participate in Freshmen Quest (a freshmen orientation and kayaking expedition) in late September as well as two elective intensives, one in January and one in April. Students sign up for these intensives – which range from Songwriting to Snowshoeing – during the school year. In addition to the traditional slate of courses, freshmen may opt to participate in one of several before school or after-school, for credit learning opportunities: Vocal Ensemble or House Band. Sign-ups will take place in the fall.  Finally, we have had a few freshmen who have opted to take one course at Portland or Deering through a “common block” opportunity at the beginning or end of the school day. Most frequently, these choices have been Latin or ASL at PHS or Concert Band at DHS or PHS. Transportation is provided for common block students, but participating students do have to give up one of the courses typically taken by CBHS freshmen. If you are interested in a common block option or would like to learn more, please let us know.

All courses at Casco Bay High School are at the college preparatory level and all include the option for achieving “with honors;” there is no need to sign up for honors courses in advance. We recognize that some students may need additional support to meet our demanding, vital course standards. We provide this support in various ways, including Academic Support blocks and after-school tutoring (Block 7) – in addition to the previously mentioned courses for students with an IEP or English language learners. Moreover, within every CBHS course, there is an opportunity to not just meet the standard – but “exceed the standards.” This often requires completing not just more work, but different, more sophisticated and rigorous work. In September, freshmen may also opt to join an Exceeds Reading and/or Exceeds Math group. Math students who complete “Exceeds Math” work freshmen year will be eligible for Pre-Calculus as sophomores. Students whose work consistently exceeds the standards will be said to have completed the trimester “With Honors” in that course. This will be designated on student transcripts with an “H.,” similar to taking an “honors level” course at another high school. The difference here is that a student earns an “honors” designation for the high quality of the work s/he does, not for the course for which s/he signs up. There is also more flexibility; a student may choose to take on “exceeds” work at any time. You will see the first example of this differentiation with our summer reading, where there is one set of requirements in order to meet the standard – and an even more challenging option for those who would like to exceed the standard.