How many electives do we pick?
There is room in the schedule for two electives per semester. Some electives like foreign language 1 last all year, but most last for one semester. (Space, Language Exploration, Keyboarding, Band, Technology, PE, Art, etc.)
How does the schedule work?
The main 4 subjects are taught daily for an hour. Electives alternate days. As of now, there is a one hour study hall daily.
How do Foreign Languages work?
Kids can take Spanish 1 in 6th grade. Historically, the language instruction has not been up to high school standards, but I've heard very positive things about the new teacher. The city has had a policy of requiring a passing score on the 5th grade Spanish test (which is like a kindergarten test) to qualify for Spanish 1 (an introductory Spanish course that requires no knowledge of Spanish. I find that curious...)
What's the story with the advanced math class? Do the kids need to go to summer school or take an online course?
The city has dropped the online summer course and the summer school math class. They have retained the advanced math class, which they call pre-AP math. This course will bundle 6th and 7th grade objectives, which overlap in many areas, so this very possible for strong math students. Kids who do very well in this course, and who do well on an Iowa Algebra Readiness Test, will have the opportunity to take Algebra 1 in 7th grade. It is rare to have a 7th grader who is ready to take a real Algebra 1 course. In order for the school to maintain pace and rigor required, they will now be more selective in admitting kids to that class. To me, this is totally reasonable. If the class has to move at a slower, easier pace, then all math that follows is compromised. This has been a problem when kids moved to high school and weren't ready for Algebra 2.
Kids who don't qualify will move on to advanced 7th grade math in 7th grade, and then do Algebra 1 in 8th grade - and be stronger math students for the rest of high school.
How are kids placed in their core courses?
I recommend the placements, based solely on performance in this class. A and high B averages are recommended for advanced classes. Lower averages are recommended for the middle track. I don't recommend to the lowest track. I can't take requests on this, but I can tell you that if your child goes to Hill and seems more advanced, they'll move them up.
There is room in the schedule for two electives per semester. Some electives like foreign language 1 last all year, but most last for one semester. (Space, Language Exploration, Keyboarding, Band, Technology, PE, Art, etc.)
How does the schedule work?
The main 4 subjects are taught daily for an hour. Electives alternate days. As of now, there is a one hour study hall daily.
How do Foreign Languages work?
Kids can take Spanish 1 in 6th grade. Historically, the language instruction has not been up to high school standards, but I've heard very positive things about the new teacher. The city has had a policy of requiring a passing score on the 5th grade Spanish test (which is like a kindergarten test) to qualify for Spanish 1 (an introductory Spanish course that requires no knowledge of Spanish. I find that curious...)
What's the story with the advanced math class? Do the kids need to go to summer school or take an online course?
The city has dropped the online summer course and the summer school math class. They have retained the advanced math class, which they call pre-AP math. This course will bundle 6th and 7th grade objectives, which overlap in many areas, so this very possible for strong math students. Kids who do very well in this course, and who do well on an Iowa Algebra Readiness Test, will have the opportunity to take Algebra 1 in 7th grade. It is rare to have a 7th grader who is ready to take a real Algebra 1 course. In order for the school to maintain pace and rigor required, they will now be more selective in admitting kids to that class. To me, this is totally reasonable. If the class has to move at a slower, easier pace, then all math that follows is compromised. This has been a problem when kids moved to high school and weren't ready for Algebra 2.
Kids who don't qualify will move on to advanced 7th grade math in 7th grade, and then do Algebra 1 in 8th grade - and be stronger math students for the rest of high school.
How are kids placed in their core courses?
I recommend the placements, based solely on performance in this class. A and high B averages are recommended for advanced classes. Lower averages are recommended for the middle track. I don't recommend to the lowest track. I can't take requests on this, but I can tell you that if your child goes to Hill and seems more advanced, they'll move them up.