Career Research and Development
Career Research and Development is a Career and Technology Education (CTE)
instructional program that prepares students with the academic, technical
and workplace skills necessary to seek further education and employment in a
career field of their interest upon graduation from high school. The program
consists of two in-school courses, a portfolio development project, and a
work-based learning experience. The workplace component is a mentored,
on-the-job, work experience with a written, personalized, work-based
learning agreement and plan.
Center for Educational Opportunity
A program of alternative education is provided at the Center for Education
Opportunity. Secondary school students who have long-term suspensions from
school are eligible to enroll in the alternative education program and will
receive credit for satisfactorily completed work. In addition, secondary
school students whose educational, emotional, financial, physical, or other
needs are such that they cannot be met in the regular school program are
eligible to apply for admission to the alternative program.
Harford Academy
Harford Academy is the only public special education school serving
students with disabilities in Harford County. The instructional program is
tailored to meet individual student needs, based on individual education
plan goals. Instructional areas may include communication, functional
academics, behavior and social skills, personal management, decision making,
community skills, recreation and leisure skills, and career vocational
skills.
Magnet and Specialized Programs
Magnet and Specialized Programs in Harford County Public Schools are high
school programs with specialized curricula and are available to students in
Harford County who qualify through an application process. Click here to learn more about HCPS Magnet
Programs. Click here to learn more
about HCPS Specialized Programs.
Maryland State Scholars
The Maryland State Scholars program is conducted by the Maryland Business
Roundtable for Education in partnership with state and local agencies. The
program is part of a national “State Scholars” initiative supported by the
U.S. Department of Education and administered by the Western Interstate
Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) in 24 states. The Maryland State
Scholars course plan is designed to increase the number/percentage of
students who complete rigorous coursework and are well prepared to succeed
in college and the workplace. The course plan is designated a Maryland
“rigorous course of study” with the U.S. Department of Education, which
qualifies Pell-eligible students for Academic Competiveness and SMART
Grants.
The Maryland State Scholars Course of Study (effective freshmen entering in
2012) within all Harford County high schools includes:
- 4 credits in English
- 4 credits of Math to include: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II*
- 3 credits of science.
- 3 credits of Social Science to include: U.S. History, World History,
and Government
- 2 credits of the same World Language*
Students must attain a 3.0 overall GPA to qualify. The designation “Maryland
State Scholar” will appear on the student’s final transcript.
*courses exceed State graduation requirements
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) Programs
The Harford County Public School System offers a variety of high school
programs which integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics
content through authentic, rigorous, transdisciplinary and collaborative
learning activities. The goal of these programs is to empower students to
complete/be successful in a technological society and global market place.
STEM related programs are identified here.
Student Aide Program
In some schools, eligible seniors may select a one-period per day noncredit
student aide assignment. Selection will be made by the sponsoring
department, with permission of the principal. Student aides are not graded,
and they do not receive credit.
Summer Learning Program
The Harford County Public School System provides some summer courses for
remediation, original credit, and noncredit enrichment and/or remediation.
Offerings are scheduled according to student registration, the availability
and expertise of staff, and funding resources.
Student brochures, which list summer courses for that year, are issued each
spring. Selecting an original or remedial credit course in the summer
usually provides room in the student's schedule in the next school year for
a desired course. Students must provide their own transportation. A tuition
fee is charged. Registration for the Summer Learning Program will go live in
mid-April 2018.
Swan Creek School
Harford County Public Schools offers an alternative learning option that any
HCPS student may apply to. Blended Virtual instruction is a combination of
synchronous virtual instruction and asynchronous instruction. Swan Creek
School offers two programs to HCPS students:
- eLearning program for elementary and secondary students in grades
Kindergarten through 12th Grade. Students attend scheduled
synchronous lessons virtually five days a week with HCPS teachers.
- In-person program for secondary students in grades 6 through 12. The
In-person program places students in cohorts that meet two days per week
in-person (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) and alternating Fridays.
In-person instruction takes place at Swan Creek School, which is located
at 253 Paradise Road in Aberdeen, MD. The in-person school day runs from
9 AM until 4 PM. HCPS provides transportation to and from the school.
Both programs use HCPS curriculum taught by HCPS teachers. For more information,
click here or call the Swan Creek
School office at 410-273-5594.