Leander ISD’s middle school Advanced English Language Arts program is designed to meet the needs of students who excel in language arts. The purpose of the program is to challenge students in the area of language arts and to prepare them for success in high school advanced courses. Students in Advanced English Language Arts receive instruction in the grade level curriculum that provides a greater depth and complexity, meeting these students’ need for academic challenge. Students are expected to have a higher commitment to the rigor of the enriched curriculum requirements. 

Eighth grade Social Studies Advanced is an open enrollment course with no prerequisites.  The curriculum is based on the 8th grade social studies state standards, but emphasizes the critical thinking skills of analysis, evalutaiton and syntheses in preparation for Advanced Placement courses at the high school level.  Additional focus is placed on inquiry, interpretation of historical documents, analysis of data from written and visual sources, and the evaluation, application and presentation of information.

This class is great for students who... 

IF YOU SIGN UP FOR THIS CLASS, YOU WILL BE PLAYING FOOFTBALL AND ON A TEAM!

Boys Athletics is available to 7th and 8th grade students who want to play football at RBMS. There are no tryouts—everyone who signs up will be part of the team. The football class begins on the first day of school, while other sports such as cross country, track, and soccer take place before or after school and require tryouts, as not everyone will make those teams. Students interested in basketball who do not play football must begin the year in PE or another elective and will be added to the athletic period if they make the team. All athletes must have a physical on file, sign an athletic contract, and maintain passing grades in every class to remain eligible under the “No Pass, No Play” rule. The school provides all necessary equipment except workout gear, which costs $30. 

Girls Athletics is designed for students who are passionate about running, teamwork, and competition. Students should join because they truly want to participate—not just because their friends are signing up. While you don’t need to be in the athletics class to try out for a sport, if you make the basketball or volleyball team, you’ll be placed in the athletics class. Sports offered include volleyball, with tryouts beginning on the second day of school; basketball in November; soccer in April; track season starting in February; and cross country in August. No other sport requires a placement in athletics as they practice before and/or after school. A current physical is required to participate in any sport, and students must maintain a grade of 70 or higher in all classes to stay eligible. The athletic uniform costs $10 for the shirt and $10 for the shorts, and meals are optional for team members. Athletics is a full-year commitment that encourages dedication, responsibility, and school spirit. 

The Silver Stars are a spirited performance team that proudly represents RBMS at football and basketball games, pep rallies, competitions, district dance shows, and community events throughout the year. As a member of this close-knit family, you’ll work as part of a team that supports and encourages one another while continuing to refine your dance and performance skills. Silver Stars counts as a PE credit and/or elective and requires a full-year commitment, including summer camps in July and August. The estimated first-year cost is approximately $550, which covers camp and team merchandise, with scholarships available; returning members have minimal costs since the same merchandise is reused. To join, you must attend the mandatory informational meeting, participate in a four-day Star Clinic, and complete a team fitting. For full details, visit the “How to Join the Team” link on the dance website, and join the Google Classroom if you’re an interested candidate.

Are you an experienced dancer, currently training at a studio, or passionate about continuing dance throughout middle school and into high school? Then this full-year dance class is for you! Designed for students who are serious about dance and committed to growing as performers, this class explores a variety of dance styles and techniques while preparing for required performances throughout the year. Students will refine their skills, develop artistry, and work together as part of a dedicated dance community. If you’re new to dance, we recommend trying the semester dance class first to see if it’s right for you. Please note that this course is not intended for those planning to pursue athletics or cheerleading. A $12 purchase of a Dance Department tank top is required.

Dance 2/3 is designed for students who have successfully completed Dance 1 (semester or full year) or Dance 2 and wish to continue developing their dance skills without joining the dance team. This course is perfect for dancers who want to deepen their understanding of technique, creativity, and performance. Students will build upon the skills learned in previous dance classes, explore new styles, and participate in units that encourage collaboration, choreography, and artistic expression. Performance opportunities will be available throughout the year, allowing dancers to showcase their growth and talent. A $15 purchase of a Dance Department uniform is required for dressing out.

The Technology Applications course provides students with hands-on experience in two key areas—Information Management and Graphic Design. In Information Management, students explore technology systems, digital tools, and personal learning networks while developing essential readiness skills through creative and computational problem-solving. Using Google Apps for Education, students will gain practical experience in keyboarding, coding, slide presentations, spreadsheets, website structure, email, and file management. In the Graphic Design portion, students learn the elements of design and apply them to documents, photo and video editing, website creation, and even 3D design projects. Both areas emphasize digital citizenship and computational thinking, helping students build valuable technical and creative skills that prepare them for future academic and professional success.

Prerequisite(s): Spanish III or test placement 

Spanish IV AP Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying the interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes of communication in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication and engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions). To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish. This course prepares students to take the AP Exam. 

Students successfully completing Spanish IV AP at middle school will receive one high school LOTE credit, but the course grades will be excluded from the student’s high school grade point average (GPA). 

Student Aides at RBMS play an important role in supporting the daily operations of the school and helping staff across different departments. These responsible and dependable students assist in the office, counseling office, library, technology department, and classrooms, making a positive impact on the entire campus community. Serving as a student aide helps develop valuable skills such as organization, communication, and leadership. Those interested in applying must complete the online Student Aide Application. Students who wish to work specifically in the library should also see Mrs. Griggs for an additional library aide application. This course is a great opportunity for students who enjoy helping others and want to contribute to the success of their school.

The Journalism: Yearbook class offers students a hands-on opportunity to help create the school’s yearbook while learning essential skills in writing, design, and photography. Open to 7th and 8th graders with no prerequisites, the course emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and attention to detail. Yearbook staff members document the entire school year by taking photos at events, conducting interviews, designing pages, and developing themes that capture school spirit. The class also focuses on collaboration, communication, and meeting deadlines—key skills for any aspiring journalist or designer. Interested students must complete a course agreement form with a parent or guardian by the deadline, as late submissions are placed on a waitlist. This course is ideal for students who enjoy writing, creativity, and celebrating their school community.

This course is filled with projects and activities that will boost your critical thinking habits, improve your collaborative participation, grow your creativity and develop your communication skills through writing, talking about, and MAKING art!

We will explore and examine many different kinds of art through fun learning experiences. We do not expect every student to be a master artist, but we do want you to always try your best and have an open creative mind. 

There is a $12 art fee to cover materials.

This course is filled with projects and activities for students that have--or sincerely want--more advanced creating skills. This course will boost your critical  thinking habits, improve your collaborative participation, grow your creativity and develop your communication skills through writing, talking about, and MAKING art!

This class is a great option for 7th grade students who want to prepare for Art 1 in 8th grade. 

If you are an 8th grader who really enjoys art and are deciding between Advanced Art and Art 1, I would suggest taking Art 1 so that you can get high school credit and go directly into more advanced art classes in high school.   

This course is filled with projects and activities for students that have--or sincerely want--more advanced creating skills. You do not need to have taken art in middle school to be eligible for this class. You just need a love for art. 

As long as you pass this class, you will have earned high school credit for Art I at the end of your 8th grade year. Which will allow you to go directly into more advanced art classes in high school that focus on specific art mediums such as ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, digital art, and animation. 

Theatre I is an engaging, acting-focused year long course designed to help students build confidence and develop their performance skills on stage. This class introduces the fundamentals of theatre through creative, hands-on projects that encourage collaboration and self-expression. Students participate in ensemble-building activities, improvised scenes, and theatrical design projects, while also taking part in the class play, which includes opportunities to explore acting, technical, and design roles. Theatre I provides a fun and supportive environment where students can grow as performers, work as a team, and discover their passion for the dramatic arts. 

Advanced Theatre is a dynamic, year-long course designed for 7th and 8th grade students who have demonstrated advanced acting and performance skills. Admission is by audition only, ensuring a focused and dedicated group of young performers. This project-based class allows students to explore multiple aspects of theatre, including improvisation, devised scenes, playwriting, theatrical design, and stagecraft. Students will take part in traveling plays, student-directed projects, and collaborative work with the creative writing program to produce original performances. The course also features exciting opportunities such as field trips, musical theatre, and music video projects, giving students a comprehensive and immersive theatre experience that builds creativity, leadership, and artistic expression. 

Introduction to Technical Theatre is a hands-on, project-based course that gives students an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes work that brings a production to life. Over the course of the year, students will explore key aspects of theatre production through detailed projects focused on costume design and sewing, lighting design and programming, sound design and engineering, scenic painting and set construction, and makeup design with special effects. This class is perfect for students who enjoy creativity, craftsmanship, and problem-solving, offering them the opportunity to develop practical technical skills while contributing to the magic of live performance.