Preparing for High
School:
Middle School Classes and
the
Transition to AHS

MYTHS ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL:
MYTH # 1: It is not possible to move from standard to
advanced classes.

MYTH # 2: If you take a World Language in 8th grade,
you cannot take any other electives.

MYTH # 3: My child will automatically go on to
Algebra I once finished with Advanced Math 7 or
Honors Math 6.

MYTH # 4: If my child takes a high school level class,
the grade they receive automatically gets transferred to
the high school.

MYTH # 5: My child should plan on taking as many AP
or DE credits as they possibly can.
MATH
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
9th Grade
10th
Grade
11th
Grade
12th
Grade
HONORS
Honors 6th
Algebra I (SOL)
Geometry (SOL)
Algebra II (SOL)
ADVANCED
6th Advanced
7th Advanced
Algebra I (SOL)
Geometry (SOL)
STANDARD
6th Standard
7th Standard
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I (x2) (SOL)
Trig. / Math Analysis
Algebra II (SOL)
Geometry (SOL)
Calc. A/B
Trig. / Math Analysis
Algebra II (SOL)
Calc. B/C
Calc. A/B
Space available
Items to consider for high school:
1. It is hard to move up a level in math once you get past 7th
grade.
2. MESA requires students to have taken both Algebra I and
Geometry.
3. Algebra I at AHS is a double-blocked class.
Language Arts
Standard
Advanced
Honors
6th Grade Language Arts 6 St.
Language Arts 6 Adv.
N/A
7th Grade Language Arts 7 St.
Language Arts 7 Adv.
N/A
8th Grade Language Arts 8 St.
Language Arts 8 Adv.
(Optional rotation with
World Language)
N/A
9th Grade English 9 Jumpstart
(x2)
English 9 Advanced
English 9 Honors
10th
Grade
English 10 Standard
English 10 Advanced
English 10 Honors
(college options
available)
11th
Grade
English 11 Standard
(SOL)
English 11 Advanced
(SOL)
English 11 Honors
(SOL)
(college options
available)
12th
Grade
English 12 Standard
English 12 Advanced
English 12 Honors
(college options
available)
World Languages
SMS Options:
Spanish I (7th and 8th grade)
AHS Options:
Spanish I, II, III, IV, AP
French I (7th and 8th grade)
French I, II, III, IV, AP
German I (7th and 8th grade)
German I, II, III, IV, AP
Japanese I, II, III, IV
Latin I, II, III, IV, AP
Items to Consider:
1. 7th and 8th grade World Language = 1 AHS credit.
Exceptions made for students with language
experience.
2. 3 – 4 World Language classes are required for the
college-bound diploma in high school.
3. There is plenty of time to take a World Language in
high school.
SMS Electives
Priority in middle school is to find an area that interests you:
1. Workplace Technology 6
Technology Systems 7
Engineering (Good for MESA)
2. Keyboarding 6
Computer Solutions 7
Design,
Write, Publish 8 (Good for Journalism)
3. Life Skills 6
Life Skills 7
Life Skills 8 or
Entrepreneurship (Good for Business)
4. Art 6
Art 7
Art 8 + Digital Art
5. Drama 7
Drama 8
6. Band 6
Band 7
Band 8 (double-blocked)
7. Strings 6
Strings 7
Strings 8 (double-blocked)
8. Chorus 6
Chorus 7
Chorus 8 (double-blocked)
Advanced Diploma / Standard Diploma: 2 diploma options
available for all students. Level of class difficulty does not
matter.
 Credit: Received at the end of each class one takes and passes.
Students must accumulate a specific number of credits to
graduate (22 for Standard Diploma / 26 for Advanced
Diploma).
 Verified Credit: Received when a student takes and passes a
state SOL test with a score of 400 or better (6 for Standard
Diploma / 9 for Advanced Diploma).
High School Jargon:

Why is this important now?
Students taking Algebra I and Geometry at SMS will enter the high
school with 1 or 2 credits and 1 or 2 verified credits. Students taking
a World Language at SMS will enter AHS with at least one credit.
High School Jargon (Acronyms!):

AVID: The Advancement Via Individual Determination class
mission is to prepare all students for college readiness and
success in a global society.

CATEC: Charlottesville/Albemarle Technical Education
Center.

MoHMSA: Monticello Health and Medical Sciences
Academy. Open House December 4th from 5 – 7 PM.

Jr ROTC: Air Force academy located at Monticello High
School.

MESA: Math, Engineering and Science Academy. Open
House December 12th during the AHS Curriculum Fair from
6 – 8 PM.

MHS: Murray High School ~ Small setting. Good for nontraditional needs.
MESA – Math, Engineering, Science
Academy
What you need to know:
• Applications available December 3rd online or in
Guidance.
• MESA Open House December 12th during the AHS
Curriculum Fair (6 PM – 8 PM)
• Applications due the first week of March.
• Confirmation letters mailed home in the first week of
April.
What helps?
• Students who finish Geometry in middle school
• Grades
• Extracurricular activities
Advice for the future:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Take the right classes – don’t get overwhelmed
Work on study habits now
Set a routine and figure how to balance that routine with
being a kid:
• Social needs increase
• Sports / electives require more time commitments
• Nightly homework amount increases
Be ready for the changes that come with high school:
• Honors level classes are hard
• Attendance counts
• PE and Health are required and have homework
• Lunch periods are no longer grade-specific
• To play a sport, you must be eligible
• 4-year plans are important
Important Dates for Transition
8th Grade Parent Information
Meeting @ SMS: December 10th
from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.
Over Winter Break: Parent Portal
opens for selection of AHS
classes.