Middle School Academic Requirements

PROMOTION STANDARDS

In grades 6–8, promotion to the next grade level shall be based on an overall average of 70 on a scale of 100 based on course-level standards (essential knowledge and skills) for all subject areas, a grade of 70 or above in mathematics and in language arts, and a grade of 70 or above in either social studies or science. Board Policy EIE Local. 

HONORS COURSES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

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.

STAAR TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Required Middle School School STAAR Tests:

• Grade 6 – Reading, Mathematics

• Grade 7 – Reading, Mathematics

• Grade 8 – Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies

STAAR and High School Level Courses taken in Middle School (e.g.

Algebra 1)

Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, middle school students enrolled in high school level courses will be required to take the corresponding end-of-course (EOC) assessment.

STAAR and Student Performance

There are three cut scores on STAAR assessments, which separate student performance into four categories.  For the STAAR program, the labels for the performance categories are:

• Masters Grade Level (passing)

• Meets Grade Level (passing)

• Approaches Grade Level (passing)

• Did Not Meet Grade Level (not passing)