Middle School Course Description Guide Introduction

  • The mission of the West Chester Area School District is 
    to educate and inspire our students to achieve their personal best.

    West Chester Area School District  Middle School Course Description Guide

    Additional Course Selection Student and Family Resources for Middle School Students: 

    Middle School Course Selection Timeline

    For CURRENT 6TH & 7TH GRADE (These students will be in 7th & 8th Grade in 2022-23)

    February 1 through February 11: Teacher recommendation window

    February 14 through February 25: Online Unified Arts selection (View teachers’ recommendations and select unified arts)

    February 23: Middle School 101 Parent Information Night

    March 7 through March 11: Recommendations may be viewed on the Parent Portal. All requests to change course selections and/or recommendations must be submitted to the student’s counselor during this window.

    March 25: Course change deadline - Course level waiver recommendations require administrative approval beyond this date.

    May 5: 5th grade Parent Course Selection Night

    Mid August: 5th Grade Parent Orientation Nights

    Purpose:

    The intent of this Course Description Guide is to provide students and parents with descriptions of courses offered in the middle schools of the West Chester Area School District.

    Placement Decisions:

    Placement of students into appropriate courses is an important factor that contributes to student success. To make appropriate decisions, middle school principals will consider multiple data points in the decision-making process. These data points will include student performance on PSSA assessments, PVAAS, student performance in class as evidenced by their report card grades, and their current teacher’s recommendation. In addition, additional assessment data may be considered should any be available for individual students.

    Level Recommendation Guidelines:

    Accelerated Honors: Accelerated Honors courses are designed for students who can learn advanced content at an accelerated pace. These courses provide students with a rigorous curriculum that extends beyond grade level standards. These courses promote collaborative and self-directed learning through a variety of instructional activities and assessments.

    Honors: Honors courses are designed for students who can learn enriched content at a challenging pace. These courses provide students with a rigorous, grade level curriculum. These courses promote collaborative, guided, and self-directed learning through a variety of instructional activities and assessments.

    Grade Level: Grade level courses are designed for students who can learn at a continuous pace. These courses provide students with essential skills and content knowledge aligned to grade level standards. These courses promote collaborative and guided learning through a variety of instructional activities and assessments.

    Changes After the School Year Begins:

    Students may consider level changes after September 16th. Level changes will be honored provided they are in the best interest of the student and seats are available as a result of a level change.

    Course changes into or out of a performing music after September 16th will only be processed after the completion of the marking period in which the request was made. These changes can be processed if there are available seats in the newly requested course(s).

    Removal of High School Credit in Middle School: High school credit is not offered for any course taken in middle school.

    The Keystone Exams

    The Keystone Exams are one component of Pennsylvania’s new system of high school graduation requirements. Keystone Exams help assess student proficiency of the Pennsylvania Core Standards - standards aligned with expectations for success in college and the workplace. In order to receive a diploma, students must also meet local district credit and attendance requirements and complete a culminating project, along with any additional district requirements.

    Beginning with the class of 2023, Chapter 4 Rules and Regulations for the state of Pennsylvania require that students must demonstrate proficiency on the Algebra 1, Biology, and Literature Keystone Exams in order to graduate. Keystone Exams help assess student proficiency of the Pennsylvania Core Standards - standards aligned with expectations for success in college and the workplace. Students will be offered multiple opportunities to take the Keystone Exams throughout their high school careers.

    Grading Scale:

    A+ = 97-100 A = 93-96 A- = 90-92
    B+ = 87-89  B = 83-86 B- = 80-82
    C+ = 77-79 C = 73-76 C- = 70-72
    F = below 70    

     

    Guidance Counselor Assignments for the 2022-23 school year:

    Fugett Middle School:

    6th grade: Malina Bowen, 484-266-2914 

    7th grade: Mike Cassidy, 484-266-2912

    8th grade: Bernadette Simpson, 484-266-2911

    Peirce Middle School:

    6th grade: Stephanie Roesener, 484-266-2513

    7th grade: Carol DeMarco, 484-266-2511

    8th grade: Akieda Behlin, 484-266-2512

    Stetson Middle School:

    6th grade: Bobby Schwartz, 484-266-2713

    7th grade: Casey Cerullo, 484-266-2712

    8th grade: Heather Selgrath, 484-266-2711