Information for 7th Grade Students

7th Grade Schedule | Placement in Academic Courses | TAG Information
Remediation/Reinforcement Special Education Services
Frequently Asked Questions about the Spanish Program | Standard Diploma | Advanced Studies Diploma

The Seventh Grade Schedule

As in previous years, students have a combination of academic core and elective courses to complete a seven period day.   

All 7^th grade students are scheduled for four academic core courses: math, English, science, and social studies.  In addition, students will make one selection from the academic elective courses of Spanish,  or reading enrichment.

The remaining two periods of the day are from student selections of year-long and/or semester elective choices and physical education.  All students are expected to take PE and may choose to take year-long PE or a semester of PE.* 

Students select a combination of PE and elective courses to equal 2 full periods.  Semester classes last one half of the school year (18 weeks).

2 semester classes = 1 period

*Only those students who are currently in band and select chorus as the other elective course may opt out of PE.  Those students will be required to submit parent certification that the student is engaged in other physical activity throughout the year.

Summary:

+4     Periods of academic core classes: math, English, science, social studies

+1     Period of academic elective: Spanish, or reading enrichment

+2     Periods of a combination of semester and/or year-long electives and PE

=7     Total Class Periods

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Placement in Academic Core Classes

Current academic teachers have made recommendations for placement in the areas of Math, English, and Foreign Language. Careful consideration has been given to your child's current performance, standardized test scores, work and study habits, and mastery of the Standards of Learning objectives. Please contact your child's teacher should you have questions about the recommendation.

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TAG-Talented and Gifted Information

Only those students who have met the criteria and been identified as Talented and Gifted (TAG) in the area of Science and/or Math may be scheduled into the Science 7 TAG class and/or the Algebra I course.

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Remediation/Reinforcement Classes

Some students may be recommended for an additional class of Math or Reading. Information for placement in reinforcement classes is made based on SOL results, academic performance, and/or teacher referral.

How recommendations are made:

• A student fails to pass the 6th grade Reading or Math SOL test(s).

• The reading specialist and classroom teacher may recommend extra assistance after if a student is struggling with grade level reading.

• Math remediation may be offered to students who need help with basic math concepts or those performing below grade level.

Should a student need an extra remediation class, we will work with the student to determine which elective courses will be taken and which will be replaced with remediation. Students who do not pass a math or reading SOL test are required to take a remediation class.

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Special Education Services

A complete range of services is available for special education students. Depending on individual needs, students may be on a monitored status, included in the mainstream classroom with a Special Education teacher, or given direct instruction in the Resource classroom. Alternative placements and additional services including speech, OT and/or PT, and psychological services are available when indicated. The special needs of students and SOL goals are addressed in the least restrictive environment, at the student's present level of performance, and in accordance with the Individual Education Plan.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Spanish Program

Q: Is Spanish at the middle school a high school credit course?
A: If your child elects to take Spanish I, Spanish II, or Spanish III, it will carry a high school credit. A year-long course of Spanish I, Part1 would be followed by Spanish I, Part 2 the following year. The two courses together will carry one high school credit. The Spanish I, Part 1 and Spanish, Part 2 over the course of two years is an option that offers Spanish instruction for credit at a slower pace. It is an ideal option for students who enjoy language study but need the benefit of slower paced instruction.

Q: May my child continue to study Spanish in Grade 8?
A: Spanish II and Spanish III will be offered in Grade 8. In addition, students in Spanish I, Part 1 may continue with Part 2 in Grade 8.

Q: If my child does not take Spanish in grades 6 or 7, may he/she begin Spanish in grade 8?
A: Yes

Q: What about students transferring into Poquoson City Schools?
A: They will have the same options. If they decide to begin the study of Spanish in the middle school, we will talk with the student and parent to determine the best placement for the student.

Q: Will French I be available in grade 8?
A: If demand and staffing allow, we will make it available.

Q: What if my child does not do well in Spanish I? Will a low grade hurt his/her high school record?
A: For any high school credit-bearing course taken in middle school, parents may request that the grade be omitted from the student's high school transcript and the student NOT earn high school credit for the course. When a grade is removed from the transcript, it is also removed from the grade point average for high school. Parents are given the course omission form in the spring of the student's 8th grade year. A request to remove a grade and credit must be submitted in writing by September 15th of the student's 9th grade school year.

Q: Will colleges accept the Spanish credit earned in middle school?
A: Middle schools, by state standards, must offer high school credit courses. For years Poquoson Middle School has offered Algebra I, Geometry, Spanish I, and French I. We are now expanding those offerings to include three years of Spanish. Colleges review a student's transcript for rigor and continuity. If a student completes three years of language credit in middle school, that will meet the requirements for an Advanced Studies diploma. However, the student who goes beyond the minimum by taking higher levels of Spanish or learning another language in high school will demonstrate high rigor and continuity and will be in a more favorable position when applying to competitive or selective colleges. The Poquoson High School transcript Supplement will include a description of our elementary and middle school Spanish program to help colleges evaluate student transcripts.

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Standard Diploma Requirements

To graduate with a Standard Diploma, students must earn at least 22 standard units of credit by passing required courses and electives, and earn at least six verified credits by passing end-of-course SOL tests or other assessments approved by the Board of Education. The table below displays the minimum course and credit requirements for a Standard Diploma.

Note 1 – Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall be at or above the level of Algebra and shall include at least two courses from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra and Geometry.  Completion of Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2 counts for 2 of the 3 math credits.

Note 2 – Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least two different science disciplines: Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.  The Board of Education may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.

Note 3 – Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. & Virginia History, U.S. & Virginia Government, and one World History/Geography or World Studies course.

Note 4 – Courses to satisfy this requirement shall include at least two sequential electives.

Note 5 – Students may also earn the student selected verified credit by passing industry certification testing in a variety of career areas.

More information about graduation requirements is available on the Virginia Department of Education Website: www.pen.k12.va.us.

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Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements

To earn an Advanced Studies Diploma, students must earn at least 24 standard units of credit.  They must also earn at least nine verified credits by passing end-of-course SOL tests or other assessments approved by the Board of Education. The table below displays the course and credit requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma.

Note 1 – Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall be at or above the level of Algebra and shall include at least three different course selections from among: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or other mathematics courses above the level of Algebra II.   The Board of Education may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.  Completion of Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2 counts for 2 of the 4 math credits.

Note 2 – Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include course selections from at least three different science disciplines from among: Earth Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.  The Board of Education may approve additional courses to satisfy this requirement.

Note 3 – Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. & Virginia History, U.S. & Virginia Government, and two World History/Geography or World Studies courses.

Note 4 – Three years of one language or two years each of two different languages (4 credits).

Note 5 – Students may also earn the student selected verified credit by passing industry certification testing in a variety of career areas.  A complete listing of industry certifications may be found on the Virginia Department of Education website: www.pen.k12.va.us.

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The Poquoson City School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability or sex in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.  The Director of Student Services, Doris Feltman, is designated as the responsible person regarding assurances of non-discrimination in personnel and student matters and may be reached at the following address:

 500 City Hall Avenue, Poquoson, VA 23662.

(757) 868-3050