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Scheduling and Academic Requirements

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT YEAR . . . BUILDING A SCHEDULE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
The first step in the scheduling process is for parents and students to review this bulletin together and choose elective courses to complete a schedule. Course offerings and descriptions are listed in sections by grade level. Please read the appropriate grade-level section and complete the course selection sheet that the counselor gave you. Returning the Course Selection Sheet to school as soon as possible will reasonably ensure that you get the elective courses of your choosing.  

Click here to view the Middle School Course Bulletin

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULE
The KPS middle schools operate on a trimester schedule.  On the trimester schedule, the school year is divided into three, 12-week sections. Marking period grades are issued every six weeks; twice per trimester. 

Sample School Year on the Trimester Schedule

1st Trimester

2nd Trimester

3rd Trimester

Fall

Winter

Spring

September – End of November 

Early December – Mid-March

Mid-March – June

All middle school students are scheduled into six, 58-minute class periods per day. During each of the three middle school years, students are required to take a full year of English language arts, math, science, and social studies. In addition, students are also required to take one trimester (12 weeks) of physical education and one trimester of computer applications during each of their middle school years.  

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Three-Trimesters (full year per grade level)

  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies 

One-Trimester (12 weeks per grade level)

  • Computer Applications
  • Physical Education

In addition to the above requirements, students performing below grade level in reading or math (as indicated by state and local assessments) will have an additional period (Strategic Reading or Strategic Math) to build core academic skills in the area of need. Opportunity for elective courses (such as art, music, life skills/physical education, or Spanish) will be limited until grade-level expectations are met.

Students performing at or above grade level will have the opportunity to choose elective courses of interest such as art, music, life skills, physical education or Spanish. Students may choose to take most elective courses for either one, two, or three trimesters. 

TEST RESULTS – HOW THEY INFLUENCE SCHEDULING
It is important that you understand the relevance of district and state-wide testing, (such as the NWEA measurement of academic progress) that is used to determine placement into academic courses. Students who exceed expectations may be recommended for advanced English and/or math courses. Advanced Math could put them on track to earn high school credits while still in middle school.  Likewise, low test results will help to identify students in need of additional support in the areas of mathematics and reading.