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Flexible Pathways Summary

Flexible Pathways Summary

At the Bellows Falls Union High School, students can make progress toward earning a diploma through a variety of non-traditional learning experiences.  Those experiences are summarized below:

  • Dual Enrollment Coursework: Currently, BFUHS offers three classes in-house for both high school credit and college credit.  Our Advanced Placement Calculus courses can earn a student college credit through River Valley Community College. Credit through Community College of Vermont can be obtained through successful completion of the following - courses: Honors American Literature, and 21st Century Writing.  Students can also earn Dual Enrollment credit by successfully completing courses taken at colleges and universities, with prior approval from the school administration. Students have the option to take courses at colleges/universities as a level 4-Honors or unleveled.  This must be figured out with their school counselor.
  • Early College Program: Qualified students can spend their senior year of high school as a fully enrolled college student, thus
    finishing their requirements for their high school diploma while also completing their first year in college. 
  • Work Based Learning: We strive to support our students in finding success in many ways.  Among the Flexible Pathway options there are opportunities for students to participate in work-based learning experiences.  Work-based learning experiences involve student interactions with industry or community professionals in real or simulated work environments that expose learners to postsecondary options, provide opportunities for skill development and proficiency attainments, and allow students to reinforce and deepen their school-based learning.  These opportunities particularly help students make the connection between academic principles and real world applications.  For many, understanding the "why do I need to know this?" provides motivation for more learning.
  • Independent Studies: When students have an interest in taking BFUHS courses but have schedule conflicts, they may be able to take a class as an “Independent Study” (if a teacher is available).  Students will only be approved for an independent study if the teacher, school counselor, and administrator all agree that the student has the skills needed to work independently, with a couple of meetings with the teacher in a week, and still meet the expectations of the course in question.
  • Online “Virtual” learning: Students can take online courses for credit toward graduation.  We most commonly access Vermont Virtual Learning Collaborative (VTVLC) for such learning experiences, although other accredited vehicles for high school courses will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. While online courses provide increased educational options and flexibility, it is imperative for students to know that taking an online course is a significant commitment.  ** All final online course grades (passing or failing) are officially reported on the transcript and affect a student’s overall GPA.**  Students interested in taking an online course should first discuss this with their counselor. Students and parents must sign the Online Student Course Contract before being enrolled in an online course.
  • Career Center programs: AT BFUHS, we have a distinct advantage in the area of Career Center options for students.  Our students can attend either the Windham Regional Career Center (WRCC) in Brattleboro or the River Valley Technical Center in Springfield.  If schedule conflicts arise, students may be able take classes at the high school associated with those Career Centers, in the interest of removing all potential barriers to a student’s participation in a Career Center program.
  • Vermont Adult Learning High School Completion Program: Students can earn a BFUHS Diploma by completing a VT Adult Learning High School Completion Program plan, which is created in collaboration with the student (and family), a representative of Vermont Adult Learning and a representative of the high school.  This plan can include a wide variety of learning experiences and may or may not include coursework at BFUHS.  Similar plans can also be created “in-house” at BFUHS when needed through a student’s PLP.