1. Course Selection Presentation
7th Grade  8th Grade

2. Stafford Middle School Admin Team
Principal:
Ms. Gayle 
Asst. Principal:
 Mr. Kearns
Counselor:
Ms. Frazier

3. 7th Grade to 8th Grade Differences
Your classes will be more rigorous and there are firm due dates. You will take more tests, quizzes and will have more homework. This all prepares you for high school and college!
STAAR does not go away. You will have to take 4 STAAR tests in 8th Grade. They are Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies.
How do you pass the 8th grade? You must pass all of your classes AND pass all of your STAAR tests to get promoted to 9th grade. If you do not pass all of your classes, you must retake them in summer school.
YOUR SCHOOL UNIFORM: Light Grey Polo and Khaki or Blue bottoms.

4. School Map

5. Course Selection Materials
Course Selection Worksheet Front:
Course Selection Worksheet Back:
Stafford MSD
Course Catalog:

6. The 5 Required Courses ELAR (English and Reading) Math Science
PreAP ELAR is one period long
Academic ELAR is two periods long (“block”)
Math
PreAP Algebra 1 is one period long
Academic Algebra 1 is two periods long
PreAlgebra/ 8th Math is two periods long
ONLY for students who are not successful in 7th grade Math (Course or STAAR)
Science
Social Studies
PE (or PE Equivalent)
Athletics
Karate
Dance

7. Choosing the Right Courses
Academic
These are your “on grade level” courses
These courses prepare students for high school and beyond
PreAP/GT
These courses are designed to challenge motivated students. They are fast-paced and require more independent learning and homework.
These courses prepare students for AP courses in high school and college
You should have an 85 in your current class; make sure you are math ready!
A teacher’s initials are required to take PreAP classes in Middle School

8. Exiting a PreAP Course
You can ONLY exit out of a PreAP course after the first six weeks of school or after the first semester
A grade in the 70s or 80s is NOT a valid reason to get out
A parent/teacher conference is required

9. Elective Courses * = this indicates a one semester course
Art 1 (HS credit)
Prerequisite: Visual Arts 7
Band
Prerequisite: Band in 7th Grade
Choir
Dance 1 (HS credit)
Prerequisite: Dance in 7th Grade
Spanish 1 (HS credit)
Prerequisite: Intro to Spanish in 7th grade
Spanish Heritage 1/Spanish Heritage (2 HS credits)
Prerequisite: Native Speaker
Principles of Public Law & Safety (HS Credit)
Principles of Agriculture (HS Credit)
Journalism/ Yearbook
Investigating Careers *
Investigating Careers STEM*
Technical Applications *

10. A Typical 8th Grade Academic Day
PERIOD
SUBJECT
ROOM # 1
ELAR 8
716 2 3
Science 8
701 4
Band (elective)
Band Room
Lunch
Middle School Cafeteria 5
Dance (PE)
Gym 6
Math 8
715 7 8
US History
719

11. A Typical 8th Grade PreAP Day
PERIOD
SUBJECT
ROOM # 1
Tech Apps 8 (elective)
711 2
PreAP ELAR 8
718 3
Science 8
701 4
Band (elective)
Band Room
Lunch
Middle School Cafeteria 5
PE 7
Gym 6
PreAP Algebra 1
713 7
Spanish 1 (elective)
702 8
PreAP US History
719

12. Course Selection Worksheet
Complete Course Selection Worksheet in PENCIL!
Legibly print legal first and last name (no nicknames please!)
Every student will pick five classes from the REQUIRED COURSES column
ELAR, MATH, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, PE
If selecting a PreAP course, your current teacher’s initials are required AND the back of the Course Selection Worksheet must be completed and signed

13. Course Selection Worksheet
Rank your 3 elective choices in order of preference in the ELECTIVE COURSES column
List 3 alternate elective choices in order of preference in the ALTERNATE COURSES column
If left blank, the counselor will pick them for you!
Parent and Student signature is needed
Return Course Selection Worksheet to your Social Studies teacher no later than Tuesday, January 15th