Standard vs Advanced Options

As you and your student complete course selections, we would like to provide clear guidance on the differences between standard and advanced courses. Each path offers excellent educational opportunities, and the best choice depends on your student’s learning style, work habits, and academic goals. Students scoring at the 85th percentile or above on standardized testing are likely to be successful. Students within the 70th-85th percentile with a strong work ethic may be successful.

Standard courses provide a thorough foundation in core subjects:

• Appropriately paced

• Comprehensive; focuses on foundational concepts

• Support to ensure student success 

• Follows grade-level standards 

• Allows time for concept mastery and skill development.

Advanced courses cover the same objectives and concepts, but with:

• Accelerated pacing

• Greater depth of content

• More independent work

• Increased and challenging work

• Higher-level critical thinking 

Students considering advanced courses should demonstrate:

• Consistent and timely completion of homework and assignments

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Self-motivation and academic initiative

• Ability to grasp new concepts quickly

• Willingness to pursue topics beyond basic requirements

• Comfort with challenging material and problem-solving

• Strong reading comprehension and analytical skills

We encourage families to thoughtfully discuss these options and to choose the path that best supports their student’s learning style and academic performance. 

Career Exploration Elective 

In the Shawnee Mission School District, middle school marks the start of your student’s path toward college and career readiness through their Individual Plan of Study (IPS). The IPS is a student-centered portfolio that helps connect your student’s interests, skills, and abilities to future academic and career opportunities. We encourage 7th graders to enroll in Career Explorations, a course designed to help students discover high school, college, and career options and plan for their future through IPS activities.  

World Language Opportunities

We offer language programming in both full-year Spanish and French, and a semester-long Introduction to World Languages course. As you consider whether to include a language in your student’s academic journey, there are several important factors to consider.

The decision to start a language in middle school represents a long-term commitment. Students who begin Spanish or French in 7th or 8th grade are embarking on what ideally will become a multi-year journey of language learning. These courses require dedication and consistent engagement with the material.

Full-Year Language Courses:

• Spanish and French courses are high-school-level courses

• Students can begin language study in 7th or 8th grade

• Students who complete a language course in 8th grade can earn high school credit

• Language study is not required for high school graduation

Students who thrive in language courses typically demonstrate:

• Strong academic performance 

• Demonstrated study habits and organizational skills

• Commitment to daily practice and work completion

• Genuine interest in learning about other cultures

• Willingness to speak and participate actively in class

For students who prefer to focus on other subjects during middle school, there are plenty of opportunities to begin language study in high school. This choice allows students to build a strong academic foundation before adding the challenge of a world language to their course load. Our exploratory Introduction to World Languages course is an excellent way to begin language exploration at the middle school level.