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MIDDLE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT PHILOSOPHY
The middle school department has developed its own identity in more ways that other grades. This structure provides certain strengths not found at other grades. This structure also requires a period of transition. The following information shows some of the areas in which the transition is most evident.
DEPARTMENTALIZATION:The middle school is organized departmentally. This allows teachers to focus on an area of their strength. Yet there also remains a homeroom connection between the students and their homeroom teacher. However, this does mean that students need to adjust to different teachers and be organized in moving from class to class.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION: The organization required by departmentalization is difficult for some students. To help the students, the middle school department focuses on organizational skills and study skills at the beginning of the year. A particularly heavy emphasis is placed on the first semester of the sixth grade year through the Study Skills Academic Enrichment class. All of the students are required to use a school-issued assignment planner. This is intended to help students stay on top of all of the homework assignments and responsibilities. They are also required to keep a binder in which all homework assignments and tests are kept until the end of each term.
INCOMPLETE HOMEWORK POLICY: We believe homework serves an important purpose, such as reviewing new skills, applying what the student has learned, extended learning, and preparing for new learning. Therefore, it is imperative that students complete homework on time.
*In grades 6-8, all work is to be handed in by 8:30 a.m. If the student is tardy, work is due upon arrival. An unexcused tardy will be counted as a late homework grade.
*Late work received after 8:30 a.m. on the day it is due will result in 20% deduction of the final grade. Work not received by 8:30 a.m. the following morning will be counted as 0%, but it still must be completed. The teacher will notify the parent. If it is still incomplete, it will be treated as a disciplinary action.
WEIGHTING OF HOMEWORK AND TESTS: In middle school, heavier emphasis is placed upon tests than on homework. Therefore, daily assignments will count as 40% and tests 60% of the final grade.
GRADE REPORTING:Grades are issued at the end of every term. Midterm progress reports are sent home halfway into each term. Grade reports are usually sent home the Friday following the end of a term or midterm. One of the two progress reports must be signed by the parent and returned. Additionally, at the end of the first grading period, parent conferences are scheduled with the homeroom teacher. Other meetings may be set with specialized subject teachers throughout the school year.
ADVANCED HONORS CLASSES: What are advanced honors classes? They are classes that allow a student at the end of sixth grade to study eighth grade coursework in three subject areas. At the end of eighth grade, the students will have completed ninth grade coursework and could enter high school with some credits already completed.
Advanced honors classes are offered in three academic areas: literature, mathematics, and science. To be placed in the advanced honors class, the following criteria must be met:
Literature, Math, and Science (student must meet three of the four)
*Final grade in each subject must be at least 87%
*Standardized test scores from sixth grade year must be at least 85% (combined math, combined language, and science
*Teacher recommendation
*Parent approval
For a student to remain in advanced honors classes for the full year, at the end of the first semester the grades for the three subject areas must be 87% or higher. If the student falls below 87%, he/she will be placed in the honors classes.
SEMESTER EXAMS:Semester exams are given in grades 6-8 for the purpose of cumulative evaluation to help prepare students in a step by step progression for secondary exam experiences. These exams also allow for the teacher to assess the need for enrichment and/or remediation.
Exams are administered at the end of both semesters in the following subjects:
*Grade 6 - English, math, history, science
*Grade 7 - English, math, history, science, literature, and Spanish
*Grade 8 - English, math, history, science, literature, and Spanish
Semester exams are worth twelve percent of semester grade.
PROMOTION/RETENTION:Students are evaluated based on the grades earned throughout the year. A student earning a grade of below 60% for the year in one major subject area is retained. Earning a 60-69% average in two major subject areas also results in retention.
Major subjects include English, reading/literature, social studies/history, math and science. (A grade of less than satisfactory in non-percentage or minor classes could contribute to retention.)
GRADUATION: Upon successful completion of eighth grade and achievement of all passing requirements and no outstanding fees, a student will be considered for participation in graduation. The graduation worship service is generally held the evening of the last day of school. Students who rank academically at the top of the class are assigned active roles in the service. Academic achievement is recognized and diplomas are awarded by the School Board chairman.
CLASS TRIPS: Students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade eagerly look forward to their year-end class trips in May as part of their outdoor education, Texas history, and United States history experience. Sixth graders enjoy two days of outdoor education at a local camp. Seventh graders travel for three days to San Antonio and Austin, taking in historic sites such as the Alamo and other missions, the State Capitol, Governor's Mansion, Texas State Historical Museum, and Texas State Cemetery. Eighth graders travel for a week to historic Vicksburg and Natchez, Mississippi where they experience the National Military Park, Confederate Cemetery, see several antebellum homes, travel the Natchez Trace, and experience southern hospitality.
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