Arlington Public Schools encourages all students to enroll and succeed in advanced courses. Successful participation in advanced courses instills in students a sense of accomplishment, increased self-esteem, improved study skills, and a greater foundation for success in subsequent advanced courses and for life beyond school. It is not however, enough for students to simply desire to enroll in advanced courses. A solid foundation of knowledge and skills is necessary and serves as a good predictor of success in advanced courses.
Therefore, it is important that students strive to do their very best in all courses in order to build a solid foundation for academic success. This includes developing effective study habits, completing assignments, meeting deadlines, asking for help or putting in extra time when it is needed, and being successful in fundamental courses that serve as the foundation for advanced courses. Doing one’s best also includes doing more than the minimal requirements for classes by completing projects or other enriching or skill building activities. Students and parents are encouraged to work closely with teachers and counselors to build, support, and promote these skills in order to maximize opportunities for enrolling in and being successful in advanced courses. All Grade 6 students in consultation with counselors and parents are required to complete a Six-Year Academic Plan and to update and refine that plan as they progress through each middle school grade. By Grade 9, the six-year plan has been replaced with a four-year plan, which is also updated and refined each year as students’ progress through high school.
Advanced courses may be defined by when a student takes a course as well as by enriched or accelerated content and might be labeled “advanced” or “intensified.” For example, Geometry in Grade 8 would be considered an advanced course whereas Geometry in Grade 10 would not. In middle school, advanced courses are considered those courses that allow selected students to earn high school credits in middle school such as in World Language, Algebra I, or Geometry (Geography, taken for high school credit by all Grade 8 students, is not considered an advanced course). These courses also serve as gateways for courses in high school. The table below presents two examples of how rigorous course selections in middle school might impact students’ later high school course options and opportunities.
| Course: | Implication: |
|---|---|
| Algebra I |
The sequence of mathematics courses is Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. A student interested in rigorous science courses in high school would take Intensified Chemistry in Grade 10. (Advanced Placement courses allow students to earn college credits while in high school.) Algebra II is a co-requisite for Intensified Chemistry. Also, because Algebra I is a high school course, successful completion of Algebra I by Grade 8 enables a student to earn credits toward graduation early. |
| Spanish I & II |
Taking Spanish II in Grade 9 enables a student to take Spanish III, IV, and even V in Grades 10, 11, and/or 12 or to take at least two years of another language in high school. Note that for an advanced studies diploma, a diploma more favorable for college admission, three years of one or two years each of two different foreign languages is required. |