Curriculum and Instruction

Our Instructional Vision is that a guaranteed, viable and aligned curriculum be taught in every subject at every grade level designed to meet the needs of all studentsAmherst Central school district

Department Staff

Lynn E. Shanahan, Ph.D.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology

Amy Steger

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Dawn Schmitt

Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

Ashley Bereziuk
District Data Coordinator

Lisa Nestico
District Data Specialist

Donna Frymire

District Technology Integration Specialist

Curriculum Resources

Best Practices in Remote Teaching & Learning

Research Participant Opportunities

From time to time, university scholars and researchers contact schools regarding studies they are looking to conduct. Most often, they are hoping we can help provide students to participate in these studies. To do this appropriately, they always ask to be put in contact with you - the students' parents. Studies involving children must pass rigorous vetting prior to approval, which is typically granted by university-based Institutional Review Boards. When a request is received by our school, the participant information will be posted here on our website. Without question, the choice to have your child participate in these types of research efforts is exclusively yours.

Thoughtful Classroom Framework

The Framework is a comprehensive system for observing, evaluating, and refining classroom practice. Designed in partnership with over 250 teachers and administrators, the ultimate goal of the Framework is to create a common language for talking about high-quality teaching and how classroom practice can be improved. Aligned to the Common Core State Standards, the Framework makes the work of aligning teacher evaluation with the new standards easier than ever before.

Advanced Coursework Gr. 7-12

The District acknowledges that advanced coursework can foster academic excellence, enhance critical thinking skills and prepare students for college and career success. in light of the potential benefits and opportunities, the District is committed to offering a variety of advanced coursework options. BOE Policy 7223

Types of Advanced Coursework

The District offers a variety of advanced coursework options, including but not limited to:

Accelerated Coursework for Seventh & Eighth Grade Students
Seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to take accelerated courses in mathematics and in at least one of the following areas: English, social studies, world languages, art, music, career and technical education subjects or science courses. Using written criteria, the Superintendent or designee will determine whether an eighth grade student has demonstrated readiness to take high school courses.
By the end of seventh grade, accelerated students must receive instruction designed to facilitate their attainment of the state intermediate learning standards in each subject area in which they are accelerated.
Credit may be awarded upon successful completion of an accelerated course and passing related examinations if certain conditions are satisfied.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement examinations afford students the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing in many colleges and universities. The College Board administers a variety of AP examinations in May of each year. The District will determine a student's readiness for enrollment in any AP class.
Dual Credit for College Courses
Students who have demonstrated readiness for college-level courses and meet all necessary prerequisites may matriculate at any college that has a cooperative agreement with the District. Collegiate opportunities may include early admission to college, collegiate-level work offered in the high school, or other means of providing advanced work. The administration will review and approve any college courses before they are taken during the school day.

Course Descriptions and Prerequisites

Notification of Advanced Coursework Letters

Strategic Plan

The original 2017-2022 plan was thoughtfully developed over a full year in 2016-2017 when the school district launched a partnership with the Warner School of Education to begin a process to create a district strategic plan. Two forms of data were collected and used for decision making, Qualitative and Quantitative data. Qualitative data came from a variety of sources including parent, staff and student interviews and perception-sharing opportunities. All district employees, students and residents were invited to attend focus groups and interviews, as well as respond to a survey, answering a variety of questions regarding their perceptions of the district. Quantitative data came from the New York State Education Department reports, the United States Census, Buffalo Business First as well as Amherst Central School audits and operating budget. This data was then analyzed by a district Strategic Planning Council (SPC); this team included 42 stakeholders from the school community including students, teachers, staff and administration, as well as community stakeholders including parents, Board of Education members and community leaders. Under the facilitation of a member Warner School a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis was conducted to identify key strategic issues within the district.

Three priority areas (Teaching and Learning, Student Life, Amherst Pride) lay the foundation for our ACSD Strategic Plan and subsequent initiatives, and action steps. Each priority area has multiple initiatives and action steps that will provide the actual work of the District, specifically five Action Planning Teams - one at each building and central office.

Renewed Focus

Significant stakeholder input, research, planning and design are evident in this plan which includes:

A renewed focus for 2023-2027 Academic and Departmental Goals
Measurable Outcomes
Development of Key Priorities in three areas: Teaching & Learning, Student Life, Amherst Pride

Resetting After the Pandemic: The Amherst Central School District renewed its partnership with the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester in November 2022 and reconvened its Strategic Planning Council in January 2023. The updated plan was approved by the Amherst Board of Education on Aug. 20, 2024.

The updated plan is a comprehensive road map to all that occurs within ACSD, as well as the partnerships we form within the Amherst community.

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