Academics

In addition to academic classes of language arts, math, science and social studies, our middle school students are also exposed to a variety of encore classes, such as art, music, world cultures, world languages, physical education, health, computers, technology and engineering, and family and consumer sciences.

A great deal of focus the past few years has been on incorporating Next Generation Learning into the curriculum as much as possible. The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering program, Gateway to Technology, provides opportunities for students to apply math and science concepts through the use of technology and hands-on activities. The Gateway to Technology also prepares students for additional PLTW courses at the high school level that can lead to college credits. The Paxton-Patterson program, Growing Up Ready, is also being implemented in our middle schools. It is similar to the PLTW program with its emphasis on incorporating technology and hands-on activities to provide practical applications of the concepts being learned.

Students also have the opportunity to study three different world languages (Chinese, German, and Spanish) as part of the 21st Century Skills Global Literacy initiative. World Cultures class for all 6th graders incorporates the study of the art, music and culture of a variety of global regions.

All students are assessed on their math and reading skills on a continual basis, and students who score below their grade-level peers are provided interventions in math and/ or reading to help them accelerate their learning and catch up to the achievement level of their peers.

Students working on project

Students showing their projects