As a 5th grade student you will have six academic classes a day, they are:

• Math Applications

• Math Skills

• ELA Reading 

• ELA Writing

• Social Studies

• Science

Additional classes you will notice on your 5th grade schedule:

• WIN

• FLEX

• CAT

WIN class is "what I need."  In this class, you might get extra help and instruction in math or language arts.  

FLEX class is a time at the end of the day where you can work on school work, make up a test, attend band or chorus, or visit a teacher to ask a question. 

CAT stands for "Creative Arts," and is the same as your "Specials" classes from the Elementary School.  

In Middle School, our CAT classes are:

• Art

• Agricultural Science & Industrial Technology

• Family Consumer Science

• Music 

• Physical Education

At the Elementary School, the year was split into three sections called "trimesters."  At the Middle School and High School we have "Semesters" and "Quarters."  

Semesters break the year into two parts.

Quarters breaks the year into four parts. 

What does this mean? This means at the middle school, grades will be reported four times throughout the year. We call these four sections "Marking Periods." Students will receive a report card four times during the year. 

These four marking periods will then average together to give a student one final grade in each class. Students need to have a passing final grade in a class to pass that class for the school year. 

A New Way of Looking at Academic Progress

One of the changes students may notice when moving from elementary school to middle school is the way grades are reported.

In middle school, students will begin seeing numerical percentages and letter grades such as A, B, C, D, and F.

If this system is new to you, don't worry! It may take a little time to get used to, but understanding your grades will quickly become part of your middle school routine.

How Do Number and Letter Grades Work?

Throughout a marking period, assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, and other graded work contribute to a student's numerical average in a class.

That percentage corresponds with a letter grade.

Middle School Grading Scale

Numerical Average

Letter Grade

97–100% 

A

93–96%

A-

90–92%

B+

87–89%

B

85–86%

B-

82–84%

C+

79–81%

C

77–78%

C-

75–76%

D+

72–74%

D

70–71%

D-

69% and below

F

What Does a Percentage Mean?

Imagine that your current grade in Science is:

88% — B

The 88% is your numerical average.

The B is the letter grade that corresponds with that percentage.

Students will quickly become familiar with seeing both numbers and letters used to describe their academic performance.

Get Into the Habit of Checking Your Grades

Middle school students begin taking greater responsibility for monitoring their own academic progress.

Don't wait until the end of the marking period to discover there is a problem.

Make a habit of checking:

• Your current grades 

• Missing assignments

• Upcoming assignments

• Tests and quizzes

• Teacher feedback

If something doesn't look right or you don't understand a grade, talk with your teacher.

Learning to monitor your own progress is an important part of becoming a more independent student.

Missing Work Matters

One of the easiest ways for a grade to fall is allowing missing assignments to accumulate.

A forgotten assignment may seem small.

Several forgotten assignments can become a much bigger problem.

Try to develop this habit:

Notice it → Ask about it → Make a plan → Complete it.

If you're falling behind, don't hide from the problem because you're embarrassed or overwhelmed.

Talk with your teacher.

The earlier you address missing work, the easier it usually is to get back on track.