Middle School Honors Courses
HONORS COURSES
CRITERIA:
To qualify for any Honors class, the incoming student must have at least a 95 th percentile in Total
Reading, Total Math, Science and/or Social Studies using local norms on a standardized test
administered within one calendar year. If the student scores within the 90th to 94th percentile using local
norms in Total Reading, Science and/or Social Studies then the student is eligible for the appropriate
honors class with a teacher recommendation. If the student scores within the 85th to 94th (LPR)
percentile in Total Math and has been recommended by the 6th grade teacher(s), then the student is
eligible for Advanced Pre-Algebra. Students scoring less than 85th percentile (LPR) in math need a
teacher recommendation for additional testing. Additional criteria apply to the advanced math
classes beyond Pre-Algebra (see high school credited courses on pgs. 7-8).
There is a rubric used to determine potential honors placement once the student is enrolled at the
middle school. We ask that you contact the teacher directly if you have questions regarding the
placement of your child.
HONORS LANGUAGE ARTS GRADES 7 AND 8 (full year):
The Honors Language Arts student will be expected to attain the benchmarks of the previously listed
Language Arts standards as well as demonstrate advanced reading and communication skills. An
expectation is that the student will learn at an accelerated pace, read extensively, use expanded
vocabulary, interpret varied genres of literature and understand complex concepts.
HONORS SCIENCE GRADES 7 AND 8 (full year):
The Honors Science student will be expected to attain the benchmarks of the previously listed Science
standards as well as demonstrate strong research skills and advanced knowledge of scientific processes
and concepts. The student will use complex analytical thinking skills when conducting scientific
investigations and will generate conclusions based on data collected and knowledge of scientific
theories.
HONORS SOCIAL STUDIES GRADES 7 AND 8 (full year):
The Honors Social Studies student will be expected to attain the benchmarks of the previously listed
Social Studies standards as well as analyze and interpret complex issues related to the geographic,
social, cultural, economic and political factors.
ADVANCED PRE-ALGEBRA GRADE 7 (full year):
The Advanced Pre-Algebra student will be expected to move through the regular 7th and 8th grade math
curriculum at an accelerated pace requiring higher level thinking skills, utilizing a self discovery
process, and holding higher expectations at all levels. The student will attain the indicators of the
previously listed Mathematics standards as well as conduct problem-solving activities using beginning
algebra skills.
HIGH SCHOOL CREDITED COURSES
ALGEBRA I GRADE 8 (full year):
Credit: 1.00
Prerequisites/Special Requirements: Satisfactory completion of Pre-Algebra and teacher recommendation. A
graphing calculator is required.
Algebra I includes a review of directed numbers, equations, inequalities, systems of linear equations,
polynomials, fractions with variable expressions, graphing, variation, rational and irrational numbers, use of the
graphing calculator, and basic data analysis. The student should acquire an understanding of the basic structure
of algebra as well as be able to apply algebra concepts and skills to problems. Algebra I is a prerequisite for
Geometry, Algebra II and Trigonometry, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Programming. This course may
be for high school credit and includes a midterm and final exam. Grades earned may be included in the
high school point average (GPA). By the end of the course, students may decide if they would like high
school credit for Algebra I. If they choose to not receive credit at the middle school level, they MUST sign up
for Algebra I for their 9th grade year.
HONORS ALGEBRA I GRADES 7 or 8 (full year):
Credit: 1.00
Prerequisites/Special Requirements: Criteria for incoming 7th grade students to be placed in this class include
meeting set criteria for placement in Advanced Pre-Algebra and achieving at the 95th percentile using national
norms on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test. The rigorous criteria for placement in this course is designed to
assess a student’s readiness for grade accelerating past 7th and 8th grade content for placement in the high school
level Honors Algebra I course. Students will also need to demonstrate competency on assigned summer
enrichment.
Students entering 8th grade may qualify for Honors Algebra I based on their successful performance in the PreAlgebra 7th grade class and teacher recommendation.
The Honors Algebra I student will be expected to demonstrate a high level of performance and analytical
thinking using inductive reasoning to solve complex problems. They will discover algebraic concepts,
formulate and defend hypotheses, apply concepts to new situations, and perform advanced calculations. The
student will need to work at an accelerated pace and use technology. This course is for high school credit and
includes a midterm and final exam. Grades earned will be included in the high school grade point
average (GPA) and is a weighted course.
HONORS GEOMETRY 8 (full year):
Credit 1.00
Prerequisites/Special Requirements: Algebra I & Teacher Recommendation. A graphing calculator is
required. Students may need to supply a ruler and protractor.
This course includes extensive work with formal proofs and the study of logic. Though topics are generally the
same as the regular Geometry class, the rigor used for these topics is greater. As in Geometry, students will
explore basic geometry figures and their properties including points, lines, planes, polygons (emphasis on
triangles and quadrilaterals), circles and angles. Additionally, students will develop formulas for area,
perimeter and volume. Basic trigonometry, compass and straight edge constructions, and Algebra I review will
be included. This course is for high school credit and includes a midterm and final exam. Grades
earned will be weighted and included in the high school grade point average (GPA) and is a
weighted course.