With the switch to Alma and SchooLinks, there's already several changes going on within Bow High School. Another major change for the future of the school is through the new system of credits being implemented for the class of 2030.
A few months ago, the state passed a new law requiring 5 credits of social studies classes to graduate high school, double the amount of the current 2.5 social studies credits needed to graduate. It comes as a change in curriculum that often occurs every 10 years within the state of New Hampshire.
A group gets together to reassess what they want New Hampshire students to know when they complete their primary school, and for the next decade, doubling up on social studies appears to be the priority. The change will be implemented starting with the class of 2030, to give schools ample time to adjust their curriculum.
According to Mr. Fisk, he understands that it's a drastic change from what the current requirements are. Within the world of credits, scheduling, and course selection, the school must find additional resources and staff for the increase in social studies credits, along with balancing out the required STEM credits to graduate. Thankfully, Mr. Fisk sees light at the end of the tunnel.
"This is the opportunity to say, 'What do we want students to do?' I think it's an opportunity to look at things a little more creatively. I would love our school to have a math and social studies teacher to offer an analysis class!"

One other method to fulfill graduation requirements/credits through high school is the state's new Learn Everywhere program. It allows for unique learning opportunities not offered by public schools, and it could fulfill some of the new credits. The state offers an abundance of options, but it is tricky for schools to control the rigor and type of Learn Everywhere opportunity.
Currently, the most popular Learn Everywhere experiences include Extended Learning Opportunities, or ELOs. One example of an ELO offered at Bow was the Belize trip in April 2023. Students learned about the tropical ecology of the nation and then traveled to Belize for a week to immerse themselves and gather extensive information about Belizean ecology.
In the world of music, a guitar class through a local music school could count as an art credit. Similarly, PE credit could be earned by attending many local dojos that offer classes in martial arts and self-defense.
Online classes, such as those offered by VLACS, are extremely popular for their wide variety of classes and flexibility with students' schedules. These classes could also help students earn the credits they need.
Multiple students are currently enrolled in AP Microeconomics on VLACS, a class not offered in person at BHS. Senior Katie McCabe said she earned some graduation requirements out of the way over the summer through VLACS classes.
According to Kate Kulacz, this increase in social studies credits is going to decrease the number of electives offered by the school. They want to keep the scheduling system as autonomous as possible, while adjusting to the new requirements. She used the example of two classes, economics and personal finance, that could be merged into one and check off some more credits.
The structure of selecting courses and credit requirements will shift. The plan is to work with all resources and stakeholder groups.
What is certain is that there will be changes, and so far, Bow administration is navigating and adapting to these changes in hopes of creating as smooth a transition as possible.