Middle school guide
Contents
High school credits while in middle school
Students have the opportunity to get a jump start on their high school credits needed for graduation by taking some courses while in middle school. These courses are offered during the regular school year.
Contact your middle school counselor for more details.
Middle school courses available for high school credit
These courses affect high school GPA.
| Course | Campus |
|---|---|
| Communications Applications | All |
| Professional Communication | All |
| Algebra I (H/PreAP) | All |
| Art I & Accelerated Art I | Austin, Brandenburg, Bussey, Coyle, Hudson, O'Banion, Webb |
| Spanish I & II | All |
| Spanish III (H) & IV (AP) | Austin, Bussey, Jackson, Sam Houston, Sellers |
| Introduction to Transportation | All |
| Touch System Data Entry (Keyboarding) | All |
| Principles of Hospitality | All |
| Principles of Human Services | All |
*Additional options are available for students enrolled in magnet programs.
Promotion and retention guidelines
Students will only be promoted on the basis of academic achievement. A district may not grant social promotion. Students who fail to meet achievement standards for promotion will be retained.
The numerical grade of 70 shall represent mastery of the essential knowledge and skills for the subject or course. Mastery means that the student has the skills necessary to be successful at the next level.
To be promoted from one grade level to the next, a student must have an overall average of 70 or above for the year in all courses taken. In addition, students must have an average of 70 or above in three of the following four subjects:
- English language arts (includes English and reading)
- mathematics
- social studies
- science
Procedures for grouping students in middle school
School personnel recommend enrollment in appropriate classes according to previous scholastic grades, standardized achievement test scores, and ability scores. Students and parents may request placement in an advanced level of grouping. Any change in the recommended level must be approved by the principal.
Failing grades in any class do not justify a recommendation for rescheduling into an alternative class when ability scores and achievement scores clearly indicate the student can do the required work.
Students who experience serious difficulties and/or have failing grades early in the school year should discuss the problem with the teacher, counselor, and principal. If it is recommended that the student will benefit from a schedule change and parents agree with the recommendation, this change should be made immediately. If the schedule change is delayed for any reason and the student continues to fail at the end of the semester, the change will be made at that time.