Since 2004 Van Wyck Junior High School has committed to aligning their programs and organizing their school environments to support the academic achievement and social development of our students in accordance with:

• NYS “Essential Elements of Middle Level Education”
• Regents’ policy statement on Middle Level Education
• Federal “Safe Schools” legislation calling for “Character Education” programs K-12

Van Wyck students engage in school-wide Character Education themes and project based learning activities developed by teacher teams representing English, mathematics, science and social studies. Available “SmartBoard” technologies provide for interactive student-centered lessons to enhance concept attainment, understanding, and the active participation of all students in the class. Comprehension, literacy, and writing across the curriculum are programs that are strongly supported at both schools as students prepare themselves to become more effective communicators and for stronger performance on state assessments. All teachers’ lessons are tied closely to the appropriate New York State Learning Standards. Further courses of study are offered in the exploratory subjects of art, music, health, technology, and career and life sciences. “Exploratories” are scheduled for approximately ten or twenty-week rotations depending on the subject. All courses have high standards and place importance upon preparing each student for an effective transition to the high school.

The District offers all of the state-mandated academic programs, as well as honors and accelerated classes. Grade 7 Honors is an application process involving grade point average, NYS assessments and writing sample. Grades 8-12 honors program is based on grade point average and teacher/councelor recommendation. Acceleration is provided in the areas of science in grade 8 and mathematics in grade 8 for students who have met the District criteria in these areas. Accelerated math students take a Math Regents exam in grade 8 for high school credit. Grade 8 acceleration in science consists of the Regents Earth Science course offered at the senior high schools.

Students may also earn 1 HS credit in a foreign language.