Honors Criteria

  • The Kingston City School District Honors Program begins in grade 8 with an opportunity for students to take high school level Art or Music, as well as, the accelerated high school level Math and Science curriculum culminating with the Algebra Common Core Regents and the NYS Earth Science Regents.

    NEW IN 2023-24: The opportunity to take English Language Arts (ELA) 9 Honors and/or Global Studies Honors courses is open to ALL incoming grade 9 students. Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, all prior eligibility criteria have been removed for these two courses only. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this change here.

    For all other Honors courses in all grades, students must be recommended for acceptance into the Honors courses using the specific criteria outlined below. 

Honors Criteria by Grade and Subject

  • Grade 7 

    Accelerated Math (must meet 3 out of 2) 

    • Winter STAR Math score 830+ or unified score of 1114 
    • Teacher Recommendation  
    • Mastery on Readiness Exam 
    • NYS Math Grade 6 -Score: 4 

    Grade 8 

    Regents Algebra  

    • All students currently taking accelerated math as a 7th grader will be placed into Algebra upon teacher recommendation  
    • Students currently in grade 7 math will meet the following criteria (3 out of 4): 
      • 85% Common Assessment Average 
      • STAR Math 830+ or unified score of 1114 
      • Teacher Recommendation  
      • NYS Math Grade 7-Score: 3 or above 

    Regents Earth Science (must meet 4 out of 5) 

    • 85% Common Assessment Average in Science 7 
    • 85% Common Assessment Average in Math 7 or Accelerated Math   
    • Winter STAR Math score 830+ or unified score of 1114 
    • Teacher Recommendation  
    • NYS Math Grade 7 score: 3 or above 

    Regents Living Environment (must meet 4 out of 5) 

    • 85% Common Assessment Average in Science 7 
    • 85% Common Assessment Average in ELA 7  
    • Winter STAR Reading score 830+ or unified score of 1114 
    • Teacher Recommendation  
    • NYS ELA Grade 7 Score: 3 or above 

    Studio in Art (must meet 3 out of 3) 

    • Report card Average of 85% or greater in General Art 
    • Teacher Recommendation  
    • Guidance Recommendation 

    Voice 1A (must meet 3 out of 3) 

    • Report card Average of 85% or greater in General Music 
    • Teacher Recommendation  
    • Guidance Recommendation 

    To Enter ELA and Global Studies Grade 9

    • These courses are self-selected. Students who are ready to challenge themselves with increased rigor for reading, writing, speaking, presentation, and technology assignments, projects and activities can enroll.  (See FAQ about self selection here.)

    To Enter into Science Courses Grades 9-12 and Math Courses Grades 10-12

    • 85% Common Assessment Average or Overall Course Average  
    • Teacher Recommendation  
    • 85% Regents Exam or Final Exam if Regents was not given in prior related content course

     

    *Note: If the Regents score is 2 points or fewer below the Honors requirement, a committee consisting of District and Building Administration, School Counselor, and Teacher of the student will meet to discuss and make a final decision. Additional adjustments may be made if new information is updated.

     

    To Maintain Honors in Grades 10-12

    • 85% Common Assessment Average  
    • 85% Regents Exam or Final Exam if Regents was not given in prior related content course
    • Teacher Recommendation  

    To Enter Honors Courses as a Transfer Student in Grades 9-12

    • Approval by District Administrator