The Patchogue-Medford High School 2025-2026 Program of Studies Handbook is an essential resource, filled with valuable information. We encourage you to review it thoroughly. Each year, we expand our course offerings to ensure that students have access to programs that are engaging, challenging, and aligned with their interests. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded academic and elective curriculum that empowers every student to discover their passion and achieve their fullest potential before graduation, whether they plan to pursue higher education, enter the military, attend trade schools, or enter the workforce.

Your child’s school counselor is one of the most important resources available at Patchogue-Medford High School. They will support your child throughout their high school journey, from the challenges of freshman year to the pivotal decisions in junior and senior years, such as selecting a college or university, exploring career options, and considering whether to stay local, study abroad, or pursue other opportunities. With so many options available, we are here to help guide your child through this process with personalized support and care, ensuring they are prepared for their future.

High school should also be a time for students to challenge themselves academically. If your child is curious and passionate about a subject, they should consider taking an Advanced Placement (AP) course. AP courses are college-level classes that provide a rigorous academic experience, preparing students for the expectations of higher education. These courses culminate in a College Board exam, and high scores may even earn college credit. If AP seems too challenging, honors or Regents-level courses can be an alternative.

Additionally, we offer a range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs of Study, including Law Enforcement, Computer Repair, Medical Assisting, Construction Trades, and Teaching as a Profession and Cosmetology 2. These two-and-a-half-period programs span two years and give students a head start on their careers. Many CTE courses also offer embedded credits, meaning students can earn additional credits in subjects like math, English, or health, while working towards their career goals. The aim is for students to continuously challenge themselves, growing academically and personally through each year and course.

With approximately 2,500 students and 19,000-20,000 course requests each year, offering such a diverse range of courses requires significant planning and collaboration. The process begins in December, as we start planning the Program of Studies for the following year, and continues through June, when we finalize the master schedule. This effort would not be possible without the hard work and expertise of our teachers, administrators, counselors, district staff, and, most importantly, your child. It is through their course selections and interests that we design our curriculum to best meet their educational needs and aspirations.

We are proud that our students continue to achieve remarkable success. Many have gone on to attend prestigious universities, enlisted in the military to serve our country, entered specialized trade schools to pursue careers, or entered the workforce as productive, contributing members of society. These successes often begin with a simple step: opening the Program of Studies, dreaming big, and challenging themselves by enrolling in courses that align with their goals and ambitions. We are excited to be part of this journey and look forward to supporting your child as they work toward their future.

Sincerely,

Dr. Randy E. Rusielewicz
Principal