Middle School Curriculum

TO:  Middle School Students & Parents:

As students begin their Middle School education, more course options become available.  This guide will provide an understanding of our school program designed to meet students’ educational goals, interests and needs.

At the start of the school year, students will receive copies of their schedules. If any errors are found or changes are required, the student may contact the MS Counselor. 

Mrs. Rita Sosa

How is the Middle School Organized?

The Middle School consists of approximately 225 students in grades 5 – 8 with 15 core teachers and 5 special teachers for non-core subjects. 

The Fifth graders make a simple transition to a new building.  They remain in self-contained classrooms.  Sixth grade students meet with three different core teachers daily.  Each teacher teaches two subjects.  Course offerings include Reading, Language Arts, Math, Spanish, Science and Social Studies.  In addition, students have classes in Art, Music, Computers and Physical Education with specialists.  

The 7^th & 8^th graders follow a 7 period day schedule.  Each student has 5 core courses per day, physical education and a selection from our elective wheel.  

Tribes 

The Middle School is a time of transition.  To facilitate the change from the single-classroom, one-teacher experience in the elementary school, students are placed into Tribes. The Tribe program consists of 8 Tribes which are subdivided into 16 clans.  Each Tribe is divided into a fifth and sixth grade clan of approximately 14 students, headed by a fifth or sixth grade teacher and a seventh and eighth grade clan also consisting of 14 students headed by a seventh or eighth grade teacher.  Each Tribe is named after a dragon.  Activities are scheduled throughout the year both in clans and in full Tribes.  The goal of the program is to foster a sense of community and belonging within the Middle School and to prepare students to participate in the House program in the High School. 

Specific Tribe Goals

• To provide a sense of belonging for each student.
• To offer opportunities to work towards the life-long goals of being a caring and ethical individual, a responsible citizen, a problem solver and a good decision-maker.
• To provide a safe environment which develops skills in group decision-making, conflict resolution, dealing with peer pressure and learning to respect others.

 The Middle School is organized to:

• Provide a caring and stable environment.
• Apply learning strategies which are both effective and appropriate to young adolescents undergoing rapid physical, social and emotional changes.
• Create a variety of opportunities for students to explore their individuality within the context of a community.
• Develop habits, study skills and essential knowledge to succeed in the high school program.

 Learning in the Middle School:

The Middle School curriculum is designed to encourage students to become:

• Enthusiastic, self-aware, self-directed learners
• Planners and problem-solvers
• Effective communicators
• Intelligent, creative and critical thinkers
• Caring and ethical individuals
• Decision-makers
• Responsible citizens
• Collaborative contributors

 The curriculum is composed of the following subjects:

          Core Subjects:

·         Mathematics

·         Spanish (for both native speakers and foreign language speakers)

·         Social Studies

·         English

·         Science

Non-core Subjects:

·         Art

·         Music

·         Physical Education

·         Technology ( which is integrated in all subject areas)

 Each subject area has a separate teacher and educational objectives, however, teachers frequently work together on common themes or units.

Please check each teacher’s individual web site for course objectives, texts and materials, as well as individual assignments. 

Dress Code:

All Middle School students are required to wear a complete school uniform everyday, in accordance with the Uniform Section listed on the Balboa Academy webpage www.balboaacademyweb.org.  All items with the exception of pants are available in the school Uniform Store. 

Uniform & Grooming Code

Uniform:  The school uniform (shirt, pants, shoes and socks) must be clean, without holes or frayed areas and must not be faded.  Pants will be hemmed to the proper length.  Jeans of any color may not be worn to school. 

• Shirts – For Grades K-6 Burgundy polo shirt with school logo.  Only sweaters and jackets with BA Logo are acceptable.  Grades 7 & 8 wear White or Light Blue polo shirt w/school logo.
• Pants – Boys/girls from Grades 5-12 can wear stone-colored or black pants as long as they are straight leg, no cargo pants, no frayed hems, no bell legs, no hip huggers, no tight fitting styles or leggings, and the pants must be the appropriate length.
• Physical Education – Burgundy Tee shirt w/ school crest, PE navy shorts/long pants, white socks, black tennis shoes.

 Undershirts:  Students may wear properly sized, white T-shirts under the uniform polo shirt; the undershirt must not extend outside of the uniform shirt.

 Shoes:  Black tennis shoes are required for all Middle School students.  No platforms, heels or crocs may be worn.  All students will wear white socks.

 Hair:  Hair must be clean, brushed and well kept.  Unnaturally colored hair (i.e. blue, green, red, purple) is not allowed.  Hats or bandanas will not be worn on the school grounds.

 Jewelry:  For safety sake, students should wear a minimum amount of jewelry.  One or two pierced earrings are allowed but no more.  Any other pierced body part will not be permitted (pierced nose, tongue, eyebrow, etc.)

 The school cannot assume responsibility for stolen articles.  Please leave expensive items at home.  (The school is not responsible for the loss of personal items).

Updated 09/01/2010