6TH GRADE CURRICULUM 7TH GRADE CURRICULUM 8TH GRADE CURRICULUM Please click on each grade to view that grade's curriculum Proficiency-Based Learning. When students are given clear expectations for what they need to learn and they truly believe that their teacher has high expectations for them, they are more likely to take ownership and be successful at school.  This proficiency-based approach to student learning has been central to how we teach students at Mt. Ararat Middle School for many years.  Our teachers work regularly with teachers from the high school to clearly define the important knowledge and skills students need by the time they graduate from high school and how that learning will progress through grades 6-12.

Core Academic Program.   All students participate in rigorous and engaging English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science classes.  Our school places emphasis on the development of literacy and numeracy skills throughout all these learning experiences.

Literacy:  Our English Language Arts curriculum follows a workshop model, in which teachers teach a short daily mini-lesson to the class and then, while the students are practicing their skills independently or with writing partners, the teacher conferences with individuals and/or pulls small groups to do additional instruction. In developing their writing skills, students are also very accustomed to assessing their progress and setting goals and action steps for attaining the next level of mastery.

Numeracy: As students move through a well defined math curriculum, the focus is on both mathematical procedural knowledge and applied problem solving.  Within each class, teachers group students flexibly according to the learning goals each student has demonstrated they are ready to learn based on pre-testing.  During math workshop time students receive instruction and practice their learning in a variety of modes: whole group instruction, small group lessons, individual coaching, independent work on the computer and group problem solving.

Exploratory Program. All students participate in a diverse and broad-based  exploratory program consisting of Art, Health, Music, Physical Education, STEM, World Languages, and Learning Commons. The program enables students to discover their particular interest, talents, values and preferences. The intent of the program is to acquaint students with enriching, healthy pursuits in order for students to become well-rounded adults.