Oakmont Regional High School

2026-2027

December 2025

 

Dear parents and students:

 

We are pleased to offer the Oakmont Regional High School 2026-2027 Program of Studies. Selecting a demanding but appropriate course of study is essential to set you up for success in high school and impacts not only your experience in high school, but your preparation for your plans beyond ORHS. In addition to the courses you must take to meet the requirements for graduation, we offer a variety of electives that are designed to offer you courses that will help you explore areas of personal interest and help you with your future goals.  Please take time to review this document. Spend time preparing questions for your teachers and school counselors, and discuss these decisions as a family.

 

Our courses are designed to follow the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and aligned with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). While the recent ballot referendum removed the requirement to pass the MCAS test to earn a High School Diploma, the MCAS test will still be administered both as a means to assess student growth and a determining factor for the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship and Koplik Scholarships. These scholarships offer free state college tuition to recipients, as well as a condition for earning the Seal of Biliteracy. Therefore, the MCAS test is still an important indicator of students' academic readiness and success as a student.

 

As we review course offerings each year, we do so through the lens of our Learner Expectations and Core Values.  (See pages 4-5) These ideals are what we are striving to achieve and are broken up into Academic, Social, and Civic expectations and address the skills (Responsibility, Self-Direction, Communication, Problem-Solving, and Respect) we hope are being taught in all our courses and that all Oakmont students will achieve by graduation.

 

The time you spend here at Oakmont is filled with opportunities. We encourage you to push yourself academically and take advantage of the talented faculty and opportunities. Oakmont has always prided itself on having exceptional elective programming for a small school. We want you to be able to explore, learn, and grow to discover your strengths, talents, and interests so you feel prepared to make decisions about your next steps after graduation.

 

Finally, Oakmont has achieved wonderful scholastic, artistic, musical, and athletic awards and honors. We are a caring community that sponsors many service projects and charitable donations to help those who are less fortunate. We take pride in creating a strong sense of community and family. We are able to do this because of our talented faculty, the strong support from our community, and because our amazing students like you. You consistently work hard, challenge yourselves, and encourage those around you to be their best each and every day. Whether you are a resident of our two towns or a school choice student,  an incoming 9^th grader, or a transferring upperclassman, we welcome you into the Oakmont family and look forward to helping you reach your goals and guiding you to your highest potential.

 

If, at any time, we can be of assistance, please contact us.

 

 

 

 

AWRSD Mission

The Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District prepares all students to be contributing citizens of local and global societies in an ever-changing world.
 

AWRSD Vision

At Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District, we focus on doing what is best for students to meet their academic and social-emotional needs to thrive in a global society through: 

• academically challenging curriculum;
• community and civic engagement; 
• continuous, responsible use of all resources and evolving technology;
• high quality, ongoing, focused professional development for staff;
• real world applications;
• reflection for continuous improvement;
• research based and data driven instructional practices;
• resilient, solution-based mindsets; and
• student input and ownership.

 

AWRSD Core Values

• Equity: Student equity means that all students have equal access to quality staff, courses, activities, services, and resources based on their individual needs.
• Excellence: Student excellence is a balance of rigorous academic, social, and career-readiness skills.
• Community: Community engagement is proactive involvement of stakeholders in school district priorities and partnerships.

 

AWRSD Vision of the Graduate

"In the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District every student is known, challenged and supported every day so that all graduates are prepared to do good and to do well while being well."

 

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ORHS Mission Statement

The mission of Oakmont Regional High School is to provide an inclusive, nurturing environment where students pursue academic excellence, practice respect, think innovatively, and prepare for life-long participation in an ever-changing global society. 

 

ORHS Core Values

The mission of Oakmont Regional High School is to provide an inclusive, nurturing environment where students pursue academic excellence, practice respect, think innovatively, and prepare for life-long participation in an ever-changing global society. 

 

A school’s core values define those qualities that are desired to be modeled by the educational practices within a school. Beyond academic proficiencies, these values are what we hope students take with them into their futures. In our pursuit of academic, technological, and personal excellence, the Oakmont learning community will learn to be adaptable, value community, and to be responsible.

 

Adaptability

All members of the Oakmont Regional High School community demonstrate resilience and perseverance when facing challenges, working both independently, and collaboratively to solve problems. They navigate risks in pursuit of their goals, show grit in overcoming obstacles, and utilize a growth mindset when encountering unexpected changes.

 

Responsibility

Be able to account for personal actions, completing assigned tasks, and contributing positively to the school and greater community. 

 

Community

All members of the Oakmont Regional High School community demonstrate a sense of belonging, mutual support, and collective responsibility for the school's success and positive environment

 

ORHS Learner Expectations

 

Critical Thinking: Be able to actively and skillfully, apply, analyze, and evaluate information gathered from observation, experience, reflection, or communication, as a guide to analytic thinking.

Effective Communication: Be able to clearly and effectively share thoughts and ideas in speaking, writing, and varied modes of expression. Be able to understand, interpret, and respectfully respond to others’ communication. 

Responsibility: All members of the Oakmont Regional High School community demonstrate responsibility toward themselves, their peers, their school, their family, and the larger global community. They self-direct and actively participate in their own academic, personal, and financial experiences, and extend their responsibilities beyond the classroom and into the community.

Decision Making: Be able to choose a course of action in academic, social, and personal contexts. Be able to identify problems or opportunities, gather information, consider potential consequences, and make choices that align with established values and goals

Personal Wellness: Be able to commit to practices that support physical, emotional, social, and intellectual health, foster the ability to learn, thrive, and build positive relationships within the school and greater community.

Global Citizenship: Be able to foster  awareness, responsibility, and active engagement around global issues, diverse cultures, and the interconnectedness of communities worldwide.

 

 

 

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Scholastic Information

 

 

Course Selection

Proper course selection is an ongoing process that requires communication and cooperation among the student, parents or guardian, teachers, and the school counselor.  Selecting a course of study is an important first step in responsible decision making for most students. Families should be involved in this process as students work through their decision making process. As a student proceeds through high school, the student’s abilities, interests and future plans must all be considered to select appropriate courses in preparation for post-secondary study or employment. Students must consider their strengths and weaknesses, recognize their levels of achievement, and develop clear goals for their future as they select their courses. Finally, students should seek the advice of their teachers, counselors, and families in making course selection decisions. 

 

Teachers can provide students with valuable information about their level of achievement as observed during daily classroom performance. Counselors help students review graduation requirements and provide careful, long-range planning to ensure that the students select a meaningful educational program. Families should follow the progress of their students as they prepare for the years beyond high school.

 

The courses listed in the Program of Studies vary in difficulty and are intended to serve the needs of students with a wide variety of aptitudes and interests. All students must schedule eight (8) blocks per year. Course selection begins with the rising 8^th graders in January and continues with Sophomores in February, followed by Juniors in March and Freshmen in April. This is accomplished with the help of school counselor meetings and with consultation and approval of families and teachers.

 

For the purposes of placement into an AP (Advanced Placement) courses, successful completion of a prerequisite course is generally understood to mean that a student has earned an 85% or better in a prerequisite course. See AP expectations section and course descriptions for more information. 

 

It is important to note that not all student choices can be accommodated within the constraints of the schedule, and course sequences. The principal will make the final decision on placement.

 

 

 

 

Advanced Placement at Oakmont Regional High School

 

 

Mission Statement

 

The Advanced Placement Program at Oakmont Regional High School empowers students to engage in challenging academic instruction and learning while still benefiting from the support and community of a high school environment. Our mission is to challenge students to think critically, develop strong academic habits, and cultivate the skills, curiosity, and confidence necessary for success in college and beyond.

 

Program Philosophy

 

At Oakmont, we believe that Advanced Placement courses provide meaningful academic opportunities for students who are ready to embrace higher-level expectations. Our AP philosophy is grounded in the following principles:

• Intellectual Growth: Intellectual challenges lead to significant personal and academic growth. AP coursework encourages students to think more deeply, engage in complex discussion, and develop higher-order thinking skills.

• Accessible Rigor: While AP courses are demanding, they are accessible to students who demonstrate commitment, curiosity, and a strong work ethic. With dedication and effort, students can meet high standards and experience the pride that comes from meaningful accomplishment.

• Skill Development: AP courses help students build essential habits such as time management, organization, productive study routines, and resilience.

• Variety and Opportunity: Our diverse AP offerings allow students to explore strengths, challenge weaknesses, and pursue areas of interest at a deeper level.

• Shared Responsibility: Success in AP courses requires partnership among students, teachers, and families. Students must be prepared for consistent effort both in and outside the classroom, teachers provide guidance and support, and our families help reinforce expectations and commitment.
• College-Level Experience: AP courses expose students to the rigor, structure, and expectations they may encounter in college, allowing them to earn potential college credit and explore advanced content in areas of personal interest.
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Course and Exam Policy

• Students who enroll in an AP course are required to take the corresponding AP Exam in the spring. 
• Families are responsible for the AP Exam fee.*
• Students who do not take the exam without a valid, documented reason will receive honors credit for the course instead of AP credit.
• Students are strongly encouraged to review expectations before enrolling to ensure they are ready to fully commit to the course and the exam.

 

Available AP Courses

 

 

 

Academic Integrity Standards for AP Courses at Oakmont

 

Oakmont Regional High School expects that students will exercise the highest standard of academic honesty. Academic honesty violations will be referred to the administration, parents will be notified, and an automatic “0” will be recorded for the assignment in the grade book. Violations may be intentional or unintentional. Regardless, the expectations and consequences are the same. Below are examples of infractions that violate academic honesty:

1. Plagiarism - Presenting the ideas or work of another as one’s own. This includes copying research and other information directly from a website, book, journal, or copying, paraphrasing, reusing, or submitting another’s work without acknowledging the source.
2. Collusion - Supporting another student’s cheating, for example, allowing one’s work to be copied or submitted by another student.
3. Duplication of Work - The presentation of the same work for different assignments and/or subject areas.
4. Generative AI Tools - AI tools that complete assignments for the student in a variety of ways, including but not limited to summaries, main points, analyses, full essays, extensive rewrites, or solving math and science problems, without the student doing their own reading, thinking, calculations, or experimentation. Teachers may allow certain types of “AI-aided” work and will guide students on how to use AI tools effectively and responsibly.

 

Summer Work

 

Students enrolled in AP courses are expected to complete all assigned summer work. The assignments are designed to support student readiness and uphold high academic standards. 

 

The following guidelines outline the expectations for all summer assignments:

 

• Summer work is due on the Thursday before Labor Day for all students.
• This deadline applies regardless of whether the student is scheduled to take the course in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
  • Students taking a Semester 2 AP course may be required to submit additional work in early January, particularly in subjects such as science and math, to refresh key concepts and ensure readiness. 
• Students who transfer into school over the summer or close to the start of school will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students may receive an extended deadline or be excused from some or all summer work depending on: date of enrollment, availability of materials, the nature of the assignment, and teacher and administrator discretion.

 

Students are responsible for obtaining and completing all required summer work. Assignments can be found on the Oakmont Regional High School website under the “Students” menu by selecting “Summer 2026 Assignments.” Any questions or concerns should be directed to the course teacher or department head.

 

 

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn 26 course credits and meet the graduation requirements for ORHS. For students who have not received a Competency Determination (CD) through successful completion of the MCAS prior to January 1, 2025 the ORHS graduation requirements serve as the district’s standard for CD. The table below shows the minimal credits and required coursework needed to meet Oakmont graduation requirements The needs, abilities, and future plans of high school students vary widely. As a result, programs for students should be developed individually with each student receiving a balanced program, which entails some study in each of the fundamental areas of language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics. Students intending to pursue post-high school educational opportunities should consider taking the additional recommended courses listed in the table as a minimum for admission to most colleges, universities and technical schools.  

 

 

Seniors in good academic standing may receive .5 credit to meet their Grade 12 fitness participation requirement by participating in a supervised athletic or fitness activity outside the normal school day.

An athletic or fitness activity must meet the following conditions to qualify:

• Be supervised by a licensed fitness professional or coach
• Result in increased physical fitness
• Extend for at least 60 hours
• Take place during first semester

 

 

Participating seniors must fill out a senior fitness waiver form and return it to their school counselor before the end of the second week of the fall semester, and complete fitness hours before the end of semester one of their senior year. Seniors who do not complete the activity or fail to meet the participation hours will be scheduled for a fitness class during the second semester.

 

 

Course Credit Requirements for Grade Placement

Students must earn the following minimum credits by the beginning of the academic year to be considered a member of each academic class: