Bensalem High School
Bensalem High School
Course Selection Guide
PathwaysTo Your Future!
Bensalem High School
Mission Statement
Bensalem Township School District is a premier educational institution in Bucks County. We provide a first class education for the whole child that challenges and supports each student to discover a passion for learning while designing and achieving a personal vision of success.
Bensalem Township School District Beliefs
- Each child has unique learning needs.
- All students can learn and be successful.
- Success in school can be defined in multiple ways.
- Our success requires the collaborative support of the entire community.
- Each member of our school community deserves mutual respect in a safe and healthy environment.
- While the District maintains fiscal responsibility, decisions should be driven by students’ needs and interests.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Bensalem Township School District is an equal opportunity education facility and employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, or handicap/disability. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: The Director of Human Resources for employment-related discrimination matters and the Director of Special Services for student-related discrimination matters.
Additional information concerning non-discrimination may be obtained via the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at www.ed.gov. The address and phone number for the office that serves your specific area may be obtained at 1-800-421-3481.
In addition, it is the policy of the school district to provide an education and employment environment free from all forms of intimidation, abuse, hostility, offensive behavior, sexual harassment, and unlawful discrimination. For questions or a copy of these policies and the complaint process, contact the Office of the Superintendent at 215-750-2800, ext. 4100.
Building Administration
Mr. Frank Flanagan, High School Principal
Mrs. Nicole Copestick, Assistant Principal
Dr. Nicole Bourque, Assistant Principal
Mr. Brian Butler, Assistant Principal
Mr. Jake Thierjung, Assistant Principal
School Counselors
Mr. Frank Kern (A to Cas)
Mrs. Pina Heslin (Cat to Fre)
Ms. Eileen Gallagher (Fri to Kaz)
Ms. Dayna Harrison (Ke - Mil and ALT)
Ms. Elyse McGowan (Min-Paz)
Mr. Jeff Szczepaniak (Pe-Sha)
Mrs. Maryann Smith (She - Z)
District Administration
Dr. Samuel Lee, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Brian Cohen, Assistant to the Superintendent of Special Services
Dr. Victoria Velazquez, Assistant to the Superintendent of K-12 Administration
Mr. Nicholas Cammarano, Director of Information Technology
Mr. Joseph Langowski, Director of Human Resources
Dr. Donna Minnigh, Director of Teaching & Learning
Dr. Douglas Ferraro, K-12 Math Supervisor / Data & Assessment Coordinator
Dr. Kathryn Hinshaw, K-12 ELA Supervisor
Mr. Brian Allen, Innovation & Instructional Technology Supervisor
Mrs. Bethany Gale, District ELD & Title III Coordinator
Mr. Geoffrey Per, MTSS Coordinator & District Wide Athletics Director
Mrs. Lauren Steflik, Federal Programs Coordinator
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Where is the link for Sapphire Community Portal (formerly known as "Community Web Portal")?
Answer: Sapphire Community (SCP) link is posted on the district's home page.
Question: Where is the Course Request Form for students?
Answer: You will find the course request form in Sapphire Community Portal. Please note, this is an electronic process. The video on the main page of this website has detailed instructions on how to do it.
Question: After I complete the online Course Request Form, SCP gives me a printable form as confirmation. Do
I have to print and turn this in?
Answer: No. The printable confirmation is solely for your reference. There is no need to print and submit it.
Question: Who do I talk to for assistance?
Answer: Each student is assigned a school counselor while enrolled in BHS. Their contact information is further down on this page.
Question: How do I know if it's an EVEN year or ODD year?
Answer: Some courses are offered in alternating years labeled as odd or even in the course description. The marking of courses as available in an odd year or an even year refers to the whole academic year. Thus, a course scheduled for an odd year, would be given in an odd-starting academic year, such as 2021-2022. A course running in an even year, would be available in an even-starting academic year, such as 2022-2023. If unspecified, the course is offered both semesters.
According to this philosophy, courses running during the 2023-2024 school year are ODD year courses.