Middle School Honors
MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORS CLASSES (GRADES 7-8)
Honors courses in English Language Arts and Social Science are offered for highly advanced academic students who have consistently demonstrated skills above grade level. (Math levels are assigned according to placement tests and teacher referrals.) Please read the criteria and FAQ's below to help determine if your student can benefit from honors classes.
Honors Criteria for English Language Arts and Social Science
Honors courses are provided for highly advanced academic students who have consistently demonstrated skills above grade level. The criteria for recommending a student from his or her current placement in a regular level class to an honors placement for the following school year are described below. To be recommended for Honors English Language Arts and/or Social Science students must:
- Consistently score advanced on in-class writing samples.
- Score Standard Exceeded on ELA CAASPP assessments.
- Score 80th percentile or greater on Renaissance STAR Reading assessments [nationally normed percentile rank]
- Student performance is characterized by a consistent mastery of grade level standards.
- Demonstrate strong inferential reading comprehension; see beneath the surface of the material; easily grasp the nuances of the reading material.
- Demonstrate outstanding writing skills employing logical reasoning, critical thinking, and mature insights; possess an above grade level vocabulary and use it correctly.
- Possess a strong work ethic and consistently complete work of the highest quality on time.
- Work independently with excellent time management skills.
- Seek challenges and work for the intrinsic rather than the extrinsic reward.
- Want to improve – seek, accept, and learn from criticism with a positive attitude
- Recognize and commit to the demands of the Honors English Language Arts/ Social Science program. This may include weekend homework.
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Current Students in College Preparatory Classes: A student not currently enrolled in an honors class meeting the above criteria may have his or her name submitted by the current Language Arts and/or Social Science teachers to the applicable honors review committee[s]. Parents whose student meets the above criteria and would like their student to be considered should contact their student's current Language Arts and/or Social Science teachers via email by a designated date in May. The applicable Honors Committee[s] will review all student materials and make the final decision on the appropriate placement for the following school year.
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Continued Placement: Students enrolled in an honors class must maintain a "B" or higher semester grade in order to remain in the honors class. In the best interests of the child, students with less than an 80% will automatically be placed in a regular level class at the semester.
FAQ
- How do I know my student belongs in honors?
- Does honors follow the same standards as college preparatory classes?
- NewIf your child is enrolled in solely college preparatory classes throughout middle school, will their skill sets be adequate for the child to be successful in high school AP or honors courses? Panel
- Is honors in middle school a prerequisite for high school honors or AP courses?
- New PanelDoes my child need to qualify each semester for honors coursework?
- Can my child transfer into an honors course during the school year?
- If my child feels that an honors course isn’t the best fit during the school year, can he or she transfer out of the class and into a college prep class?
- What is the difference between the honors and GATE programs?
- Is there honors science and math?
- Are student to teacher ratios different from honors and college preparatory courses?
How do I know my student belongs in honors?
Does honors follow the same standards as college preparatory classes?
NewIf your child is enrolled in solely college preparatory classes throughout middle school, will their skill sets be adequate for the child to be successful in high school AP or honors courses? Panel
Is honors in middle school a prerequisite for high school honors or AP courses?
New PanelDoes my child need to qualify each semester for honors coursework?
Can my child transfer into an honors course during the school year?
If my child feels that an honors course isn’t the best fit during the school year, can he or she transfer out of the class and into a college prep class?
What is the difference between the honors and GATE programs?
Is there honors science and math?
Are student to teacher ratios different from honors and college preparatory courses?
For additional information, contact:
Nina Rawlinson
nrawlinson@lvusd.org
Educational Services
(818) 878-5218