ACADEMIC
PLANNING FOR
EIGTH GRADE

Eight graders take four core subjects:
 English
 Physical Science
 World Geography
 Math
 Math 8
 Algebra I
 Intensified Algebra I
 Intensified Geometry


Eighth graders have two elective periods.
Eighth graders may begin/ continue their study
of a foreign language by selecting from the
following:
 Arabic
 Chinese
 French
 Latin
 Spanish
 Spanish for Fluent Speakers (admission to the
class requires test placement)



Language classes meet daily all year and earn
high school credit.
Arabic and Chinese occur during the school day
and may be offered via distance learning if
enrollment is not sufficient to staff at school.
Students seeking to enroll in the second level of
a language should see their teacher for initials.

Eighth graders may begin/ continue their study
of a musical instrument by selecting one of the
following:
 Beginning Band
 Intermediate Band (Symphonic Band)
 Advanced Band (Wind Ensemble). Tryouts
for Wind Ensemble will be conducted in mid
to late March.
 Orchestra

Eighth grade exploratory courses meet daily for
a Semester and include:
 Chorus
 Visual
Art
 Theatre Arts
 Life Management
 Taking Charge (girls only)
 Technological Systems
 Digital
Input Technologies
 Computer Applications and Internet
Technologies
 Journalism
 Guitar
 Yearbook (Year long course by application
only)
Act II classes
Semester long classes include:
 Exploratory
Arts
 Digital Input Technologies
 Technical Education
 Guitar
 Choir
 Theatre Arts
 Family and Consumer Science
 Show Band
Graduation
Requirements
Beginning with the class of 2014
High School Courses for Credit



Students may begin earning high school credits
in 7th grade
Courses that earn high school credit:
 Foreign Language
 World Geography
 Math (beginning with Algebra I)
You will have the option at the end of each year
to not take the credit AND the grade so that it
will not be included in the GPA

A verified credit is earned by passing
the End of Course (EOC) SOL test. EOC
SOLs are taken upon completion of
certain high school credit core
courses.
Standard Diploma
Discipline Area
 English
 Math
 Lab Science
 Social Studies
 Foreign Language
Fine Arts or CTE
 PE
 Economics
Personal Finance
 Electives
 Additional Verified
Credits
4
3
3
3
2
Total
22
# of verified
2
1
1
1
2
1
4
1
6
Advanced Studies Diploma
Discipline Area
 English
 Lab Science
 Social Studies
 Math
 Foreign Language
 Health and PE2
 Economics and
Personal Finance
 Electives
 Additional verified
Credits
4
4
4
4
3/4
Totals
26
# of verified
2
2
2
2
1
3
1
9
Middle School Mathematics Pathways
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Math 8
Math 6
Math 7
Algebra I
Math 8
Algebra I,
Intensified
Math 7
Algebra I,
Intensified
Geometry,
Intensified
English High School Level Classes
Grade 9 = English 9 Block with World
History (Reg. or Adv.)
Grade 10 = English 10 (Reg. or Adv.)
Grade 11 = English 11 (Reg. or AP)
(SOL for Reading and Writing, not
EOC)
Grade 12 = English 12(Reg. or Adv.)
Arlington Public Schools’ Recommended High School Mathematics Course Pathways 2013-2014
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
Algebra I,
Intensified
Geometry,
Intensified
Algebra II/Trigonometry,
Intensified
Precalculus,
Intensified
Calculus BC, AP
Algebra I,
Intensified
Geometry,
Intensified
Algebra II/Trigonometry,
Intensified
Precalculus,
Intensified
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Precalculus/
Trigonometry
Calculus, Multivariable;
Statistics, AP; or
Computer Science, AP
Calculus BC, AP;
Statistics, AP; or
Computer Science, AP
Calculus AB, AP;
Statistics, AP;
Computer Science, AP; or
Precalculus/Trig.
Algebra Functions & Data
Analysis (AFDA)
Math 8
Algebra I or
Algebra I Block
Geometry or
Geometry, Principles
Math Analysis/
Trigonometry
Algebra II
Algebra II or
Algebra II, Principles;
AFDA
Algebra I, Part 1
Math Foundations &
Prealgebra
Algebra I, Part 2
Algebra I Block
The pathways are flexible, and movement is not limited to staying in one row. Students may accelerate as they are ready to do so.
*Advanced Math is a new NOVA dual-enrolled course identical to NOVA MATH 151/152: Mathematics for the Liberal Arts
Geometry or
Geometry, Principles
Statistics, AP;
Computer Science, AP;
Precalculus/Trig.;
Math Analysis/Trig;
Advanced Math*;
Probability & Statistics
(see above)
Mathematics Capstone;
Algebra II or
Algebra II, Principles
AFDA
Algebra II or
Algebra II, Principles
Social Studies High School Level
Classes
Grade 8 = World Geography (SOL)
Grade 9 = World History Block with
English 9 (Reg. or Adv.) (SOL)
Grade 10 = Up to you???
Grade 11 = VA and US History (SOL)
Grade 12 = VA and US Government
Typical Science High School Level
Classes
Grade 9 = Biology or Earth Science
(Reg. or Adv.) (SOL)
Grade 10 = Chemistry (SOL)
Grade 11 = Physics
Grade 12 = ???
High School SOL Tests
MATH
Algebra 1 (EOC)
Geometry (EOC)
Algebra 2 (EOC)
SCIENCE
Earth Space
Science (EOC)
Biology (EOC)
Chemistry (EOC)
SOCIAL STUDIES
World Geography (EOC)
World History 1 (EOC)
World History 2 (EOC)
US & VA History (EOC)
ENGLISH
Reading 11th grade
Writing 11th grade