Middle School Courses Guide

Agriculture, Environmental Studies and Natural Resources

Art

English/Language Arts

English for Speakers of Other Languages

*Unless already identified with an IEP or 504 plan, English Learners should not generally be placed in special education collaborative classes due to English proficiency.

Exploratory

Family and Consumer Sciences

Gifted

Academically gifted students are encouraged to enroll in the most challenging courses available to them. Talented students in art and music are encouraged to enroll in elective courses in their talent area. Gifted Seminars are provided to extend and enrich the curriculum offerings. Cluster grouping, teacher collaboration, and acceleration options help teachers provide appropriately differentiated instructional programs.

Health and Physical Education

History and Social Science

Information Technology and Communications

Mathematics

Performing Arts

Science

The science courses offered at Hanover County Public Schools are designed to guide students toward scientific literacy. The scope of scientific knowledge is built from the elementary through the secondary level using a specific sequence of skills. Each grade level and/or course offers unique learning experiences in life science, physical science, earth science, and scientific investigation, reasoning and logic. By exploring concepts within the laboratory, with computers, or by using group investigation, students are able to develop critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Emphasis is placed on the skills necessary to examine alternative scientific explanations, actively conduct controlled experiments within laboratory safety guidelines, analyze and communicate information, and acquire and use scientific literature. Students will be encouraged to share their ideas, use the language of science, and discuss problem-solving techniques. Students in the seventh and eighth grade middle school sciences will be encouraged to submit their research projects to the Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS).

World Languages*

Availability of any world language class is dependent upon sufficient enrollment and the necessary staffing. Students may choose to begin language courses in middle school or high school. All classes cover curriculum over a full academic year, and upon successful completion of a course, the student receives a Carnegie unit of credit with the exception of World Language Exploration.

*Students interested in pursuing the International Baccalaureate degree program in high school must enroll in Level I of a language no later than 7th grade.