Fairport High School offers 140 courses, including 20 Advanced Placement courses, seven Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) courses, nine Monroe Community College Dual Enrollment courses, six SUNY Oswego Dual Credit courses, and three Genesee Community College ACE courses.

This summer, 30 teachers dedicated over 60 hours to strengthening our science curriculum across grade levels. In grades 6–8, teachers continued integrating the NYS Next Generation Science Learning Standards by aligning curriculum, updating assessments, and developing units that emphasize hands-on learning, problem-solving, and real-world connections. At the high school level, biology teachers revised units and lessons to prepare students for the new state exam in June 2026, enhancing immersive, storyline-based instruction that helps students connect concepts in meaningful ways. Chemistry and physics teachers also updated curriculum and assessments to ensure alignment with state standards and provide students with engaging, rigorous learning experiences that build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. AP Biology received major updates as well, with a revised pacing guide and deeper focus on topics such as cellular processes, energy transfer, molecular genetics, and evolution. Across all levels, assessments were refined to align with state standards, giving teachers stronger insights into student learning and progress.

This fall, we are excited to share the progress being made on our new state-of-the-art STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) wing, which broke ground this past spring. Construction is well underway and this innovative space will soon serve as a hub for creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. In preparation, we are aligning our SPARK program, a favorite special in our elementary schools, with the middle school and high school technology programs to ensure a seamless, engaging STEAM experience for all students. This project reflects our continued commitment to providing the very best opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) redefined its Learning Standards for Languages Other Than English (LOTE) as "World Languages" in March and July 2021. These updated standards align with the national World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, emphasizing five key areas: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. The Fairport Central School District (FCSD) has been actively integrating these revised standards into its World Languages program. Schools within the district were required to begin implementing the new standards at the first level of instruction in September 2023. As part of this transition, the FCSD World Languages Department has diligently revised its curriculum, completing initial revisions and unit plans for levels 1A (grade 7) and 1B (grade 8) in French, German, and Spanish. This past summer we continued this process with curriculum writing at level 2. A significant aspect of the district's commitment is the creation of authentic learning experiences for students based on the new standards, moving beyond a sole reliance on traditional textbooks. We are proud of the work accomplished so far, and will continue to address the new standards, curriculum, lesson planning, and assessments up through level 5 over the course of the next couple of years.

Fairport School District has partnered with Panorama Education to provide social emotional learning surveys to our students. These surveys are designed to measure social emotional competencies of students and how they are supported in classrooms and schools. The surveys are built on the same matrix that measures school experience in three broad areas: engagement, safety, and environment. The survey is administered three times throughout the year. Feedback from the survey helps us to design programming and support students in their learning experience.

Our first administration of the year is underway and we are expecting an 85% or higher rate of completion. Check out the next edition of this newsletter to see how Fairport student perceptions compare to national norms.

At FCSD, we are committed to making sure every student has the support they need to succeed—both in the classroom and beyond. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) helps us do this by organizing instruction and interventions in a consistent, connected way from Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) through 12th grade. MTSS includes multiple layers of support—from what all students receive in the classroom to targeted strategies for those who need extra help—so every child can grow and thrive. Here’s how FCSD is putting this into action:

This summer, our UPK teachers participated in a professional learning day focused on aligning UPK and Kindergarten instruction. A highlight of the day was a three-hour training on early literacy led by FCSD Instructional Coaches, Jessica Jones and Kristin Irwin.  This training complemented the professional development facilitated by Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Irwin for our  Kindergarten teachers in Spring 2025. Grounded in the science of reading, the session emphasized foundational early literacy skills, including oral language, phonological awareness, and alphabet knowledge. Teachers explored intentional, developmentally appropriate strategies to support these skills. Targeting these skills in UPK ensures students enter Kindergarten with a strong literacy foundation, ready to read, write, and engage confidently in learning.

Over the summer, members of our PBIS building teams collaborated to strengthen attendance support for students and families. They planned family communications for the school year, including helpful tips and strategies for all families, and personalized communications for individual students. Team members also developed strategies for our staff to use this school year when helping families address attendance barriers. These efforts establish systems for consistent, proactive communication with families, helping prevent absences from negatively impacting student learning. We look forward to partnering with families this year to ensure students are present and ready to succeed.

Every day, our dedicated teachers and interventionists identify strategies to help students succeed. To make this easier, all district teachers will now use Panorama, a platform that allows educators to record and view strategies used by colleagues, access a toolbox of suggested supports, and view student data in an easy-to-read format. By using Panorama, teachers can intervene early and proactively support student success, addressing challenges before they become obstacles.

From building early literacy in UPK to strengthening attendance and using Panorama to share strategies, these steps work together to create a consistent, connected support system for every student. By partnering with families and teachers, FCSD ensures that all students have the tools and guidance they need to thrive—every Raider, every day.

We are proud to share that our three Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs—Business and Marketing, Engineering, and Architecture—have been reapproved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). These programs provide students with a continuous sequence of courses that blend academic and technical skills, preparing them for both college and career pathways. Supported by specialized instruction, and industry-aligned assessments and the option for work-based experiences, CTE students gain valuable, real-world knowledge and skills. Students who successfully complete all program requirements earn a technical endorsement on their Diploma, highlighting their proficiency and career readiness. We are excited to continue offering these high-quality opportunities to our students!

Our Career Exploration Center (CEC) is off to an exciting start this school year! We are proud to share that close to 40 students are currently enrolled in our Work-Based Learning (WBL) program, and over 50 students participate in our CTE programs in business and technology, gaining valuable hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to future career opportunities. Students are placed in a variety of roles through WBL including part time jobs at local businesses and internships in the Rochester area.

Through the CEC this fall, FHS students have the opportunity to take part in two upcoming field trips designed to explore career pathways and build real-world skills. On October 7, students can attend ROC With Your Hands, a regional career exploration event showcasing trades, manufacturing, and other in-demand industries. Later, on October 23, students can visit Optifab, where they will see cutting-edge technology and learn more about careers in optics and photonics. Through these experiences, our students are preparing for success beyond the classroom and building the foundation for future college and career opportunities.