Criteria for Recommendation of Extended and Enrichment Courses
Mathematics
Students can take “extended” courses in mathematics starting in grade six. The curricula in these courses extend beyond the grade level into the next. Math 6 Extended covers all the state standards in mathematics for grade six and extends into half of the content that is taught in grade seven. Similarly, the Math 7 Extended course includes the remaining content in grade seven that was not taught in Math 6 Extended and all of the grade eight standards.
Placement recommendations for sixth grade mathematics courses are made based on whether the student has demonstrated multiple examples of readiness for acceleration in varied settings including:
- An enthusiasm and aptitude for mathematical thinking, academic success in mathematics
- Demonstrated good time management and are able to perform well at an accelerated pace of instruction with a good degree of independence
- Excellent/advanced math SOL test scores
- Strong performance on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test,
- Staff recommendations
- Parental request
A student may be accelerated in sixth grade into Math 6 Extended or Math 7 Extended. A student entering sixth grade in Math 7 Extended will be bypassing instruction on all of the grade 6 mathematics standards and half of the grade 7 mathematics standards. Students who choose not to accelerate this early will still be able to gain access to mathematics courses that provide them with competitive access to selective colleges and universities so families should consider what is best for their individual students based on the multitude of factors that can inform your decisions.
Mathematics Pathways In Middle School
PWCS offers three options in middle school mathematics.
Traditional Pathway
Students in this pathway are in a grade-level appropriate course, learning mathematics at the pace suggested by the Standards of Learning. Students in this path would take Math 6 in grade 6, Math 7 in grade 7, Math 8 in grade 8, and Algebra 1 or Advanced Algebra 1 in 9th grade. Children who take Algebra 1 or Advanced Algebra 1 in 9th grade can master four years of high school mathematics, possibly culminating in a pre-calculus class or AP Statistics, and should be well prepared mathematically to compete for admission to the best colleges and universities.
- 6th grade – Math 6
- 7th grade – Math 7
- 8th grade – Pre-Algebra (Math 8)
- 9th grade – Algebra 1 or Advanced Algebra 1
Accelerated Pathway
Students in this pathway accelerate the learning of middle school content, learning three years of content in two years. Math 6 Extended contains all the content from Math 6 and approximately half of the content from Math 7. Math 7 Extended contains the rest of the content from Math 7 and all the content from Math 8. Students in this path would take Math 6 Extended in grade 6, Math 7 Extended in grade 7, and Advanced Algebra 1 in grade 8. As students in this pathway learn math at a more rapid pace, they must demonstrate a high level of mastery of kindergarten through grade 5 mathematics.
- 6th Grade – Math 6 Extended (all the content from Math 6 and some of Math 7)
- 7th Grade – Math 7 Extended (some of Math 7 and all the content from Pre-Algebra)
- 8th Grade – Advanced Algebra 1
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9th Grade – Advanced Geometry
Promoted Pathway
Students in this pathway enter middle school in Math 7 Extended as a sixth grader. This means that the student will not receive formal instruction on the content from Math 6 and some of Math 7. After successful completion of Math 7 Extended, a student would enroll in Advanced Algebra 1 in grade 7 and Advanced Geometry in grade 8. As students in this pathway will be skipping some content, they must demonstrate a high level of mastery of Kindergarten through Grade 5 Mathematics and show evidence of a deep understanding of number relationships.
- 6th Grade – Math 7 Extended
- 7th Grade – Advanced Algebra 1
- 8th Grade – Advanced Geometry
- 9th Grade – Advanced Algebra 2
English Language Arts
In English language arts, students have the option to take “extended” language arts starting in grade six or at any point in their middle school career. The extended language arts program accelerates instruction in the core curriculum by compressing nine weeks of study into six weeks, creating a three-week period for enrichment in an area of special interest of the student, teacher, and/or class. Students are encouraged to enroll in extended language arts if they are a passionate reader and/or writer, are capable and interested in experiencing an accelerated pace of instruction, have a record of strong academic performance in language arts, as well as staff recommendations, and parental requests. Students who participate in extended language arts will be well prepared for advanced course work in the humanities in high school, but the course(s) is not a prerequisite for or a barrier to accessing those courses in the future.
Science
In science, students have the option of taking a “science enrichment" course at any point in their middle school career. These courses accelerate instruction in the core curriculum by compressing nine weeks of study into six to seven weeks, creating time for enrichment that extends beyond the 2018 Virginia Science Standards of Learning and is implemented as a thematic unit at the end of a quarter or as STEM activities infused throughout each unit. While the primary focus of enrichment is on real-world applications of scientific inquiry and engineering practices, specific offers vary; this flexibility in implementation allows schools to leverage teacher expertise and meet the interests of their student population and local communities. While these enrichment courses prepare students for a broad range of STEM-related studies, they are not a prerequisite for enrollment in any regular or advanced high school science course.