Hershey High School
Educational Planning Guide

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Vision​

As parents, staff and community, we will cultivate an extraordinary learning environment that expands the minds and nurtures success for every member of the school community.

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Beliefs

To launch students successfully into the world beyond Hershey High School, the Derry Township School District believes that:

• Effective collaboration among home, community, and school is essential.

• Learning within the entire school community is optimal when:

  • All who enter feel physically and emotionally safe and secure.

  • Healthy minds, bodies and spirits for all are valued and encouraged.

  • All children are given meaningful encouragement, guidance, support, instruction and an opportunity to connect with at least one significant adult.

  • High expectations are held for all.

  • Opportunities for all to participate are equal.

  • Clear, consistent rules are communicated and reinforced.

  • All stakeholders are responsible and accountable.

• Systemic change is necessary for continuous improvement.

• Rigor, relevance, and engagement in learning are paramount.

• Individual strengths are recognized and valued in order to foster students’ pursuit of dreams.

• Curriculum, instruction, and assessment decisions are based on research, evidence, and best practices.

• Global citizens require competencies in problem-solving, communication skills, technology, and teamwork.

• Professional development and collaboration is the foundation for continuous growth. 

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Philosophy​

The program of studies of the Hershey High School is planned to meet the needs of the youth of the Derry Township School District. The program is comprehensive, flexible, and planned to help each student achieve growth and achievement. Parents and students are urged to read this educational planning guide carefully, discuss it with each other, and return to it for future reference. The educational planning guide is always available on the High School page of the DTSD website.

This educational planning guide is intended to provide sufficient information so that the student and his/her parents may take a major responsibility in this planning. In selecting courses of study, careful thought should be given to the student's ability, past academic achievement, willingness to work, and future educational and vocational goals.

The program of studies will be used by parents and teachers as they help to assist students in planning the work to be pursued. Parents and students are invited to consult with counselors, teachers, and the administration.

​Hershey High School is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

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1. Students should discuss their proposed program of studies with their parents or guardians prior to completing the course selection. 

2. The counselor will select courses for students who do not properly register through the course selection process by the specified date.

3. Students should carefully consider their program of studies. A student expecting to go to college should plan his/her program so that he/she has the necessary subjects for college admission. Students should be sure they have the necessary prerequisites before selecting a course.

4. College entrance requirements for specific college majors vary greatly from one institution to another. Students and parents are reminded that most college entrance requirements are based on all four grades of high school. The major goal of the college bound student should not be limited to meeting the minimum requirements for entrance but rather should aim to pursue a well-rounded college preparatory curriculum which will prepare the student to do college level work successfully.

5. Students are urged to complete the sequence of a particular curriculum, such as Language I - V, particularly if they are following the College Preparatory curriculum.

6. Grade levels are marked with each course to help each student in selecting his/her program.​​​

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Course Selection Timeline - Spring 2025

​January 6, 2025:  Educational Planning Guide (EPG) live for 2024/2025 course selection
January 6, 2025:  Counselor Presentations Grade 8
January 8, 2025: Parent Information Night
January 13 - 16, 2025:  Community Period Presentations Grades 9-11
January 7 - 21, 2025: Teacher Recommendations entered into Synergy Scheduling System
January 22 - 29, 2025: Student Course Selection through Synergy.  
January 31 - February 5, 2025: Counselors and teachers review student course selections to ensure completion and accuracy
February 7-13, 2025:  Parents and guardians review the student's course requests in Synergy ParentVUE.  (Information about viewing the ParentVUE account is available on the district website).   If the verification sheet is inaccurate or changes are necessary, the verification form must be edited and returned to the child's counselor no later than February 13, 2025. 
February 13, 2025:  Course Selection is Closed 

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Changes and Cancellations

​While every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of information in the Educational Planning Guide, as well as plan for the effective utilization of district resources, it sometimes becomes necessary to alter course offerings.  These include the addition of new courses, as well as the elimination of those with insufficient enrollment or limited availability of staff. The district reserves the right to make changes to the course offerings of our school.

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Master Schedule Construction

Students are presented with course information, as well as selection of course requests, in the early spring of each year. Based upon students’ course request information, the administration builds the master schedule. This schedule reflects the interests of the students. Course sections are determined by the initial requests and teacher availability. Adjustments are made to reduce scheduling conflicts and to help students take as many of their selected courses as possible.

The entire process takes approximately five months. The objective is to fulfill as many students' course requests as possible. It is not the purpose of this master schedule process to accommodate course change requests after the initial sign-up period. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that careful consideration to course selection be given during the initial sign-up phase of the process. Course request changes will only be considered if they meet the criteria on the Course Change Request form. The listing of a course does not guarantee that the course will be taught. Courses are offered only if enough students have signed up for the course and there is availability of staff to teach the course.

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Schedule Commitments and Adjustments

Our students are requested to thoroughly study the Educational Planning Guide and, in consultation with their teachers, counselor, and parents, make wise course selections for the school year. Adequate schedule planning, budgeting and efficient curriculum management can take place only when school personnel can consider course selections final and binding.

Students should choose their program carefully. Students make a commitment as they select their courses. Development of a student/teacher schedule greatly impacts the allocation of staff, resources, and the ability to maintain an environment most conducive to a quality learning experience. After requesting courses online, students are only permitted to request changes on the verification sheet (by the due date indicated).  Changes on the verification sheet will only be considered if the student returns it by the deadline and obtains a teacher recommendation (if required). After construction of the master schedule is completed, counselors will begin to meet with students to resolve course conflicts or errors. No other changes will be permitted after the submission of verification sheets. 

Test Out Exams for Accelerated Studies

Students are provided the opportunity to advance their studies by testing out of certain Math, Science and World Language courses with the goal of enrolling in more rigorous and advanced/AP courses in the future.  Students are required to achieve at least a 90% in the prerequisite course to be eligible for the test out exam.  The district will provide students with study materials to prepare for the exam but cannot offer tutoring or assistance to prepare for the exam.  Students who successfully pass the exam will be placed in the next sequential course.  Please note:  No credit will be awarded for achieving a passing score.
 
​Eligible courses students may attempt to test out of are:

• CP Geometry

• Algebra II with Trigonometry

• Trigonometry

• Pre-Calculus

• Honors Chemistry

• Honors Physics

• World Language

  • French

  • Spanish

 

Please contact your counselor to sign-up.  Registration will be available beginning February 3, 2025.

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​Administration

High School Office:  717-531-2244
​Special Education:  717-531-2312

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Stacy Winslow, Ed. D - Superintendent of Schools
Jason Reifsnyder, Ed. D - Assistant to the Superintendent for Personnel & Student Services
Aaron Shuman, Ed.D - Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Lindsey Schmidt - Principal
Greg Miller - Assistant Principal
Laurie Wade - Assistant Principal for Online Learning
Michael Montedoro - Athletic Director
Kirsten Scheurich - Director of Special Education

School Counselors

High School Counseling Office - ​717-531-2244  ext.  2229

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HHS Counseling Website

For the 2025 - 26 school year, the school counselor caseloads are as follows:

Chelsea Mohn: A - D   ext. 2250
Brendan Hensel: E - Le  ext. 2247
Allison Gergenti: Lf - R  ext. 2241
Kaylee Hall: S - Z   ext. 2244

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One of the most important choices students will make while in high school is which courses to include in their academic program. The counselors will attempt to work with each student to plan an appropriate educational program aligned with post-secondary goals. Counselors support students in their academic, personal, social, and career development across various settings, including classroom activities and individual meetings. The goal of the counseling staff is to help students realize their greatest potential and experience success in high school while preparing for their future endeavors.

Derry Township School District is an Equal Rights and Opportunities School District.http://www.hershey.k12.pa.us/hersheyhs

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