Academic Advanced Placement Guidelines (Grades 6-9)
Advanced classes have a more rigorous and in-depth content focus than on-level classes. Classes often move at a faster pace, include different types of assignments, and require additional outside reading. These classes are designed to challenge students beyond on-level academic courses and prepare them for success in future advanced coursework. Students may require additional encouragement and support from both family and campus staff to be successful in advanced classes. Students enrolled in advanced classes in English/language arts, math, science, or social studies should have an interest in and an aptitude for the subject.
Students who are currently scheduled in an advanced class will be able to continue in the advanced class if the student maintains a 75+ average for the second semester.
Students are eligible for first-time entry into an advanced class if
- the student earns a grade of 85+ yearly average in the previous on-level class in the same subject**; or
- the student earns the appropriate score on the STAAR test for the corresponding subject (see chart below);
and
- the student has parent permission to enroll in the advanced class (9th grade only).
Students entering grades six through eight who meet Academic advanced entry criteria will be placed in an advanced course.
**The math placement exception applies. Parents may speak with the middle school counselor or administrator if they wish to opt their child out of an advanced course.
** Students will be placed in Advanced World Cultures in 6th grade if they earn an 85 or higher in both 5th grade Social Studies and 5th grade Language Arts.
| If the student earns: | The student qualifies for: |
|---|---|
| (Masters Grade Level) 5th grade STAAR Reading |
Advanced ELAR & Advanced Social Studies |
| (Masters Grade Level) 5th grade STAAR Science |
Advanced Science |
| (60th percentile) 5th grade STAAR Math |
Advanced Math |
| If the student earns Masters Grade Level: | The student qualifies for: |
|---|---|
| 6th grade STAAR Reading | Advanced ELA & Advanced Social Studies |
| 6th grade STAAR Math | Advanced Math* & Advanced Science |
| If the student earns Masters Grade Level: | The student qualifies for: |
|---|---|
| 7th grade STAAR Reading | Advanced ELA & Advanced Social Studies |
| 7th grade STAAR Math | Advanced Math* & Advanced Science |
| If the student earns Masters Grade Level: | The student qualifies for: |
|---|---|
| 8th grade STAAR Reading | Advanced English |
| 8th grade STAAR Science | Advanced Biology |
| 8th grade STAAR Social Studies | Advanced / AP World History or Advanced World Geography / AP Human Geography (in either 9th or 10th grade) |
*Note: The middle school math placement exception applies. Students who qualify based on the information above will still need to attend and must make an 80+ in the appropriate summer program (Moving Up in Math for students entering seventh grade or Accelerate to Algebra for students entering eighth grade) or earn an 80+ on the corresponding credit by exam.
Students remain eligible to continue in an Advanced class by maintaining a grade of 75+ for the second semester. An action plan will be developed for a student earning a grade between 70 and 74 for any grading period.
- Students who receive a 74 or lower average for the semester will be removed from the advanced class and placed in an on-level class for the following semester.
- Students who receive a 69 or lower for any grading period will be removed from the advanced class and placed in an appropriate on-level class for the remainder of the school year.
- At progress report time or at the end of a grading period, a student may, upon his/her request and parent approval, be placed in an appropriate on-level class for the remainder of the school year.
The advanced entry/exit criteria apply to all HORIZONS students enrolled in HORIZONS/advanced cluster classes.
Student accommodations may not alter the rigor or pace of the advanced class.