We have some exciting changes planned for next year! Beginning in the 2017–18 school year, middle school students will take two electives. To register for the electives and for music lessons, click here. So that we can plan accordingly, please complete the registration form by April 24.
Middle school students are automatically enrolled in the following courses:
Bible
English (English 7 or English 8)
Social Studies (World History 7 or US History 8)
Science (Life Science 7 or Earth Science 8)
Math (see below)
Physical Education (daily for grade 7; three days a week for grade 8)
Music Appreciation (8th grade only; two days a week)
Math
Most 7th graders will take Fundamentals of Math. Those likely to excel in Pre-Algebra without first taking Fundamentals of Math will be placed in Pre-Algebra unless a parent requests otherwise. By the end of next week a letter about your student’s seventh-grade math placement will be sent home via your student.
Most 8th graders will take Pre-Algebra. Seventh graders currently in Pre-Algebra will take either Algebra Ior Algebra I: Honors next year. By the end of next week a letter about your student’s eighth-grade math placement will be sent home via your student.
Electives
All electives meet daily, except chorus, which meets every other day. On days chorus students do not have chorus, they will take Digital Literacy, Handbells, or SOAR®: Learning for Life. All electives receive report grades.
Some courses are limited by available equipment and classroom space. Because of this, four electives total need to be selected, so there are alternate options in addition to the two most preferred courses. Courses are described in detail at the end of this post.
- Band (open to beginners; if new to the instrument, must be concurrently enrolled in instrument lessons)
- Chorus (divided by gender; meets every other day; on days when chorus students do not have chorus, they will take Digital Literacy, Handbells, or SOAR®: Learning for Life)
- Digital Literacy & SOAR®: Learning for Life (self-paced online programs)
- Handbells
- Language (structured differently from this year’s course, so 7th graders currently enrolled in language may elect to take language as one of their choices again next year)
- Orchestra (by audition)
- Speech
Each student will take two different electives. For example, a student taking the Chorus/Digital Literacycombination cannot also take Digital Literacy/SOAR®: Learning for Life, because the digital literacy component is identical.
Some of the courses involve a small fee to cover maintenance costs on the expensive equipment the students use for class each day. Digital Literacy, Handbells, and SOAR®: Learning for Life each have a $25 per-semester equipment fee. These courses when taken on alternative days with chorus have a $25 equipment fee for the entire school year.
Music Lessons
At the elementary level, music lessons are group lessons and are directly tied with a student’s enrollment in band or orchestra. At the secondary level, however, students may enroll in band or orchestra (at no cost) without also enrolling in music lessons.
If you would like to register for private music lessons, you may do so on the registration form. Students may take lessons in the following: violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone/euphonium, tuba, percussion, and harp. Private instrumental lessons are an extracurricular opportunity at the middle school ($352 per semester in four monthly payments). Students may also register for private or group piano lessons through Piano Central Studios.
If you would like to register your student for more than one type of lesson, please contact the academic office with your student’s name and the additional lesson requested.
Digital Literacy 7 & 8
This web-based, self-paced program teaches students critical digital literacy skills. Interactive modules focus on key digital skills such as keyboarding and word processing, online safety, business applications, and computational thinking and coding. Also included are skills that help students in researching for class projects and tips for homework management.
Language 7 & 8
An interactive class giving students an acquaintance with languages and cultures. Students learn basic communication skills in Spanish and German and explore a third language of their choice. Also exposes students to Latin, biblical Greek, and biblical Hebrew. Connections are made to related topics like history, Bible study, travel, geography, and vocabulary. Cultural activities include crafts, cooking, singing, oral presentations, web quests, and virtual tours of the world.
SOAR®: Learning for Life 7 & 8
Set goals — Organize — Ask questions — Record your progress. These components of the SOAR® program will help to change the way most students think about learning! This web-based, self-paced program guides students through assessments, activities, and processes that reveal strengths and weaknesses in not only their academic endeavors but also in areas such as time management, organizational skills, and study strategies. Both high achieving and struggling students will benefit from these reliable, time-tested solutions that teach students to learn–for life!
Speech 7 & 8
In addition to interpersonal communication skills, students develop preparation and poise to minister through performance and public speaking opportunities. The course also introduces competitive speech events available through the high school speech program.
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