LISD
Academic Programs
PROGRAMS INCLUDED BELOW:
*AVID *Advanced Spanish Program *Collegiate Academy
*English as a Second Language (ESL) *Gifted & Talented (GT) *Honors Courses
*Lewisville Learning Center (LLC) *LISD Virtual Learning Academy (VLA)
*LISD STEM Academy *Special Ed/ Section 504/ RTI
AVID
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college readiness system for elementary through higher education that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The AVID College Readiness System (ACRS) accelerates student learning, uses research-based methods of effective instruction, provides meaningful and motivational professional learning, and acts as a catalyst for systemic reform and change. The AVID Curriculum is based on rigorous standards, Socratic seminars, writing skills, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and critical reading. The students actively engage in college awareness activities and receive strong support to access rigorous curriculum in the other core content areas, using the curricular resources to aid in their success. Students who wish to apply to the AVID program should ask their counselor for the forms outlining the process to join this academic elective course. The AVID program is not offered at all campuses. Please visit the AVID website for more information. Acceptance is contingent upon successfully completing the application process and parent approval.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/avid
Advanced Spanish Program
Lewisville ISD provides an opportunity for students to continue their Spanish language development from elementary into middle school with the Advanced Spanish Language Program.
The Advanced Spanish Language Program in middle school extends students’ proficiency in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Successful completion of these courses fulfills the high school graduation requirement for World Languages. Only students who have successfully participated in an uninterrupted sequence of language learning in elementary Dual Language, Spanish Immersion programs, or are native/heritage Spanish speakers with a level of language proficiency can participate in the Advanced Spanish Language Program. The Advanced Spanish Language Program currently consists of the following middle school course sequence:
6th Grade - Spanish 2 Honors Spanish Language and Culture
7th Grade - Spanish 3 Honors Spanish Language and Culture
8th Grade - Spanish 4 AP Language and Culture
These courses provide the solid foundation for the challenging college-level Advanced Placement (AP) exam in 8th grade, a rare opportunity for public education students in Texas. Upon successful completion of this AP exam, students will have the opportunity to earn college credit and can begin learning a third language or continue to take an additional level of AP Spanish upon entering high school. Advanced Spanish Program not offered at all middle school campuses. Please check website for more information.
WEBSITE: www.lisd.net/mslanguage
COLLEGIATE ACADEMY at the colony high school
The Collegiate Academy allows our students to tap into rich dual credit options while still participating in a full high school experience. Lewisville ISD students can earn required high school credits while potentially earning an Associate’s Degree. This is open for all 8th graders in LISD to apply. Students accepted into the Collegiate Academy will attend The Colony High School for the duration of high school.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/academy
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)
The district provides a several course options designed to meet the needs of students participating in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program in accordance with the TEKS and the English Language Proficiency Standards set forth by the state. Instruction in the ESL English courses is communicated, sequenced, and scaffolded in response to the needs of beginning and intermediate English learners and focuses on effective communication skills and fluency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students may also receive ESL services through general education, special education, PreAP, and AP classes by sheltered instruction trained and/or ESL-certified teachers.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/Page/24174
Gifted & talented (GT)
MISSION: We inclusively identify, engage, build relationships and ignite a desire for learning through empowering Gifted/Talented students to explore their passions while meeting their unique social-emotional and educational needs every day.
MIDDLE SCHOOL G/T SERVICES: As students transition from elementary to middle school, identified G/T students are served through academic core courses, specifically G/T Science and G/T English Language Arts & Reading (ELA) commonly referred to as LEAP. Our designated G/T courses are designed with the needs of gifted learners and are highly recommended due to the differentiated curriculum, the utilization of diverse instructional strategies, and specialized training requirements for the teachers. Students are encouraged to select courses that are the best fit for their abilities, passions, and interests.
G/T Course Offerings:
In G/T English Language Arts & Reading (LEAP), a specialized thematic curriculum is designed with G/T learners in mind that incorporates grade level learning standards, G/T Capacities, Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity. and a focus on Humanities forming the foundation of our course framework.
In G/T Science, the curriculum incorporates grade level standards, increased pacing, curriculum compacting and enrichment to meet the needs of gifted learners.
Identified students will be clustered (groups of 5 or more) automatically within their Pre-Advanced Placement Mathematics classes. If a dedicated G/T courses does not meet minimum enrollment requirements, the G/T students will be clustered in the corresponding Honors course offering.
For more information about services for G/T students and the referral & assessment process, please visit this website.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/Page/28761
HONORS Courses
Lewisville ISD is proud to offer a variety of HONORS courses that are open to all secondary students. The purpose of these courses is to meet the needs of students eager to engage in a challenging curriculum as they consider the multiple pathways that will lead to future college and career success.
HONORS courses will offer an additional layer of depth and complexity applied to the standard core content alongside the high expectations and authentic learning experiences found in all LISD courses. Depth and complexity applied to the standard curriculum offers rich learning experiences for students interested in taking on the challenge of advanced coursework.
What is DEPTH?
Students and teachers in HONORS courses will work together toward a deep understanding of the content. Students might approach the subject from the known to the unknown or from the concrete to the more abstract ideas and concepts. Depth requires the teaching and learning to move beyond facts and concepts toward generalizations and theories. Students will routinely collaborate to uncover content and new understanding as they raise questions to find patterns and seek different perspectives.
What is COMPLEXITY?
When adding a layer of complexity to the learning in HONORS courses, students and teachers will work together to make relevant and meaningful connections across time, topics, and disciplines. Complexity encourages students to relate topics on a more sophisticated level and see issues from multiple points of view. This additional layer of complexity promotes the kind of meaningful problem-solving and critical thinking that can be applied to make a deep and personal connection to the learning.
What will students experience in an HONORS course?
HONORS courses address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the course and are grounded in six shared approaches to teaching and learning across content areas.
Students will see themselves as a connected part of a community of learners where perspectives, passions, and prior experiences are valued.
Students will routinely engage in the performance tasks for the course as a way to make connections across skills in a relevant and authentic context.
Students will routinely engage in exploratory experiences that generate questions and theories as a way to make meaning and gain a deep understanding of a concept.
Students will routinely take an active role in measuring their learning in an ongoing cycle of feedback, reflection, and action to refine understanding.
Students will routinely grapple with concepts, skills, and ideas that will require perseverance and time to build complex understanding.
Students will routinely engage in discourse with others around the essential questions/enduring understanding of the course as they make connections and explore concepts.
Are HONORS courses accelerated in any way?
Several middle school math courses are accelerated to allow for students to participate in HONORS Algebra I in grade 8. The mathematics TEKS for grades 6-8 that would traditionally take three years to address, are accelerated and taught in two years. No other HONORS courses are accelerated in nature.
What HONORS courses are offered in LISD?
Campus course offerings depend on student interest, scheduling considerations, and available staffing. In general, the following Honors courses are offered, but options may vary on campus.
Honors Math Courses: Math 6, Math 7, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra 2
Honors Science Courses: Science 6, Science 7, Science 8, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Honors Social Studies Courses: World Cultures 6, Texas History, US HIstory 8, World Geography
Honors World Language Courses: All Level III, ASL IV, and All Level V courses
Honors Middle School Advanced Language Program (Continuation of Elementary Spanish Immersion and Dual Language Programming): Adv MS Spanish II 6, Adv MS Spanish III 7
Who can take an HONORS course?
LISD begins offering HONORS courses to any interested student at the middle school level. Teacher recommendations or specific grade/assessment requirements are not required to participate in an HONORS course, only the desire and passion to engage in challenging learning in an area of personal interest.
Are there circumstances where a student would be placed in an HONORS course?
Yes, recent legislation beginning in the 2024-2025 school year will require that students scoring in the top 40% on the Math 5 STAAR be automatically enrolled in our HONORS Math 6 course. Parents may opt their students out of this requirement. See your campus counselor for opt-out information.
What are the benefits of an HONORS course?
Honors courses provide an opportunity for students to dig deeper into an area of particular interest and tap into their critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they engage in challenging coursework with the support of their teacher.
What GPA points are earned for a high school HONORS course?,
High school HONORS courses are Level 2 courses and are calculated in GPA with a 1.15 multiplier. High school credit HONORS courses taken at the middle school do not figure into a student’s high school GPA.
May students move in and out of HONORS courses before the end of the term or school year?
Students should feel a sense of belonging and community in an HONORS course, and are encouraged to persevere through challenges. Placement decisions and schedule changes should be made collaboratively with the student, teacher, and family working together for the best interest of the student.
Can students who did not participate in HONORS courses in middle school participate in high school?
Yes, there are no Honors prerequisites to participating in an Honors course at the high school level.
Can students that receive services through ESL, Special Education, Dyslexia, G/T and other special services participate in HONORS courses?
Yes, HONORS courses are open to all interested students.
Can students that participate in extracurricular activities enroll in HONORS courses?
Yes, HONORS courses are open to all students. Talk with your campus counselor for campus-specific scheduling considerations.
LEWISVILLE LEARNING CENTER
MIDDLE SCHOOL ACCELERATED PROGRAM
The Accelerated Program is designed for students who are academically behind their peers and/or teen parents. It provides students the opportunity to regain lost credits and rejoin their appropriate age group. Home campus counselors refer students to the Learning Center and work with LLC counselors to ensure that students are a good fit for the program and are progressing toward their goal of graduation.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/Domain/77
lisd STEM ACADEMY @ Middle school
MISSION: All students at an LISD middle school STEM academy will learn to apply basic content and practices of the STEM disciplines to situations they encounter in life.
All students will participate in an enhanced science course with a focus on the engineering design process. Students will experience a curriculum that includes design challenges, investigations, and career exploration that connects them to real-world problems.
LISD STEM Academy not offered at all campuses. Please check website for more information.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/STEM
STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR TRANSFER TO LISD MIDDLE SCHOOL STEM ACADEMY:
All rising 6th grade students (current 5th graders) are eligible to apply for a transfer to an LISD middle school STEM academy, regardless of their participation in an elementary STEM academy. Students currently zoned to attend a middle school STEM academy campus will automatically gain enrollment into the LISD STEM academy. Unlike the elementary STEM academies, there is no application for middle school STEM academies. Additional seats, based on campus capacity, will be made available to transfer students.
Request a transfer to a middle school STEM academy campus through Skyward during the Spring 2022 open transfer window. More information on the transfer process can be found at https://www.lisd.net/transfer.
In 8th grade, students can take a STEM elective in place of Physical Education.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
The mission of the Special Education Department is to prepare socially aware, productive individuals. Our dedicated and knowledgeable staff will teach a diverse, relevant, and comprehensive curriculum in a supportive environment which challenges all students and promotes learning. Special Education personnel in LISD should strive to provide a seamless service delivery system where all disciplines are aligned and working together to meet the needs of children in a collaborative manner that empowers and nurtures all those involved.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/specialeducation
SECTION 504
Section 504 is a federal statute, (anti-discrimination law), which protects the rights of individuals with disabilities to equal opportunity in programs and activities which receive federal funds.
What are eligibility considerations for Section 504 students?
Section 504 is intended to level the playing field for individuals with disabilities.
When the 504 Committee meets to consider eligibility, the committee will determine:
Does the student have an impairment?
Does the impairment substantially limit a major life activity?
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/domain/6924
MTSS (Multi-tiered system of supports)
Response to Intervention (RtI) is a framework for meeting the instructional needs of all learners through a variety of support services and interventions. However, it is traditionally used to describe an academic intervention framework. This is the primary reason that LISD is moving to an MTSS framework. Multi-tiered system of supports, or MTSS, is a system that includes a framework for meeting the academic, behavior, and social-emotional needs of a learner. It begins with high-quality instruction, positive behavior systems, universal screening and data analysis. When learners are not yet proficient, despite high-quality core instruction and positive behavior support, the MTSS team comes together in a problem-solving setting to identify the academic, behavioral, and/or social-emotional needs of those learners. As a parent or staff member, you should contact the campus to get assistance for your child or student through the MTSS team.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/domain/5829
VIRTUAL LEARNING ACADEMY (VLA)- High School Courses
VLA course provide an opportunity to earn high school credit in middle school so that there will be room for specialized programs in high school. VLA courses require a fee, and students can only take courses in the summer or outside the school day. Students must complete 6th grade prior to signing up for a VLA course. Please read below regarding VLA courses to see if it is the best fit for your child to take during middle school.
WEBSITE: https://www.lisd.net/vla
Virtual Learning Academy
VLA courses are on level; not Honors.
The grade earned in this course will not count toward high school GPA. This includes summer courses after 8th grade and before starting 9th grade. The course name and final grade will be listed on the high school transcript.
If students take a VLA course, the next school year course requests will not change until August when final grades confirm that students have earned credit.
Courses available for Middle School students include:
Spanish 1 & Spanish 2
It is recommended students take Spanish on their home campus during the school year.
If students are wanting to pursue Spanish for their foreign language credit, we recommend that students take Spanish 1 in 7th grade and Spanish 2 in 8th grade. This will allow students to take Honors Spanish 3 and AP Spanish 4 in high school.
There is not a Spanish 3 course option in 8th grade unless students are in the dual language program. If students finish Spanish 2 prior to 8th grade, they will have to take another elective.
To graduate high school, students only need 2 years of the same foreign language. Some students choose to take 3 or 4 years of a language. Check with the admission requirements of colleges and universities you are interested in to see how many credits of foreign language they require.
Students are able to take Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 in 9th grade or another language- this is not a requirement in middle school.
American Sign Language or Latin
If students sign up for ALS, Latin, or French through VLA, they must continue these courses in VLA or until the students start high school. Middle schools in LISD do not offer these language courses.
ALS, French, German, Spanish, and Latin are available languages in high school.
Art 1 HS
If students enjoy doing art and want to pursue advanced art classes with hands on skills, do not take this VLA class. The VLA course will be more art history and theory based instruction online. It would be best for your child to take this course as an 8th grader in middle school or take this in person in high school. Then, students can pursue other advanced Art courses in high school.
If your child's purpose in taking this class is just to earn a fine arts HS credit, a great time to do this is the summer before their 9th grade year or in high school.
Students wanting to take this course the summer before 8th grade will have to have 1 year of middle school art as a prerequisite.
Note: Art, Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theatre, Dance, and other related courses also count toward high school fine art credit in 9th - 12th grade. The graduation requirement at a minimum is just 1 year of a fine arts course.
Math: Algebra 1 A/B, Geometry A/B, Algebra 2 A/B
Algebra 1
Students must pass Math 7 Honors or Math 8 before taking Algebra 1 through VLA
The VLA Algebra 1 course is an on level course and not Honors.
There is a required End of Course Exam (EOC) with Algebra tied to graduation of high school. Students will be unable to take this exam in the summer, but will have to take it at the high school the next testing opportunity. Students will have to keep up and remember the material for this exam on their own.
If students pass both semesters (part A & B) prior to 8th grade, students will have to attend Geometry at the high school. Students will need to be at the high school no later than 8:15AM. Then, students will then need to return to the middle school in time for 2nd period, around 9:45AM each morning. Transportation is provided by the parent and there are no busses to bring your child from the high school to the middle school.
Geometry
Students must have passed Algebra 1 HS and the End of Course Exam before taking Geometry VLA.
This course is an on level course and not Honors/ GT.
Algebra 2
Students must have passed Geometry HS before taking Algebra 2 VLA.
This course is an on level course and not Honors/ GT.