The Middle School Experience

The Sewanhaka Central High School District (SCHSD) is committed to providing a nurturing yet challenging educational environment for students’ academic, personal and social success. Our faculty is made up of many dedicated professionals who strive to facilitate meaningful learning experiences for all our students. The middle school experience is unique, and our students will encounter rapid changes physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually. Through a continued partnership between home, school and community, the SCHSD will strive to provide all our students with a successful transition from elementary to middle school, as well as from middle school to high school. This course catalog is a valuable resource, distributed and shared to enhance parents’ and students’ knowledge about course requirements and standardized tests during the seventh and eighth grade school years.

It is also important that students become involved in additional experiences that develop interpersonal skills and career interests. School club activities, community service and volunteer work, participation in the arts and athletics offer opportunities for learning to lead and follow, to collaborate and cooperate, and to work toward individual and shared goals.

The School Counselor

Every student in the seventh and eighth grade has a school counselor who is prepared to extend his or her knowledge and expertise in assisting students to understand the course requirements. Counselors will also encourage and support student success and achievement. They are knowledgeable in graduation requirements and are available to assist students and parents as they begin to navigate a middle school education experience together.. In addition, school counselors are equipped to address the social and emotional needs of students.

Seventh grade students are invited to meet with their school counselors during the school year. Meetings take place individually and/or in small groups so that students can be introduced to other students in the seventh grade as well as get to know their school counselor.

Parents and students participate annually in review conferences, grade-level meetings and any other combination of activities with school counselors. You can take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the rigorous shift in state education re- quirements as well as the middle school assessment exams required each year. At the same time, school counselors can assist in answering questions about school activities, athletics, clubs, honor roll and the college application process. The Sewanhaka Central High School District strongly encourages students’ participation in extracurricular activities. This participation adds another dimension to the middle school experience. It also provides an opportunity for students to learn the skills and competencies which will help them compete in college, careers and life in general. 

Teaming

Interdisciplinary teams exist in both seventh and eighth grade at all five schools within the Sewanhaka Central High School District. Teams consist of generally four to six teachers from the core academic subjects who work with a smaller portion of the grade level. Teams have a common planning time every other day to facilitate this work. They provide a collaborative community structure which supports the work of students, teachers and parents. Teachers develop common expectations, strategies, instructional approaches and calendars. They build stronger relationships with students as teachers have a smaller case load to work with. Students build stronger peer relationships through team activities. During team meetings, parents are offered the opportunity to meet and communicate with a group of their child’s teachers at once. Decades of research have shown that teaming is a foundational support through the transition from elementary to secondary schooling.

Program of Studies

In grades 7 and 8, the curriculum is designed to further those learning skills developed by the elementary school and to provide students with background knowledge skills for later educational and career possibilities. It includes the four traditional areas of English, social studies, mathematics and science, plus courses in world language, music, physical education, art, technology, family and consumer science, computer skills and health education.