1. Middle School Course Selection Parent Forum
Principal: Mr. Montero
Vice Principals: Ms. Soberon and Mrs. Camus
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Iber
6th & 7th grade Guidance Counselor: Ms. Kirker
7th & 8th grade Guidance Counselor: Mrs. Diaz
Student Support Specialists: Mrs. Sakay, Mrs. Escudero & Mrs.
Acevedo
SOMERSET ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
“A BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL”

2. What is Middle School going to be like?
More classes and teachers
More people
More responsibilities
More work
More freedom
More changes: physical & emotional
The key to success is:
Organization & Communication

3. Middle School Schedule
7 classes in total:
4 Core Classes
3 Electives
We follow an A, B rotation:
A day:1st, homeroom, 3rd, 5th, & 7th periods.
B day:1st, homeroom, 2nd, 4th, & 6th periods.
Start Time
End Time
Length
Doors Open
7:15 AM
7:25 AM
10 min
1st Block: Period 1
7:30 AM
8:30 AM
60 min
Homeroom
8:35 AM
8:45 AM
2nd Block: Period 2 or 3
8:50 AM
10:20 AM
90 min
3rd Block: Period 4 or 5 (READ 1st 30 minutes of class & Lunch)
10:25 AM
12:55 PM
150 min
4th Block: Period 6 or 7
1:00 PM
2:30 PM
Student Dismissal —

4. Promotion Requirements
Student must pass their 4 core classes each year:
Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies (Civics is required)
A “C” or better each quarter is essential to passing each course successfully.
“D” and “F” quarter grades put students at risk of having to repeat a course or being retained.
Elective grades will be factored into the student’s GPA, therefore earning good grades in all classes is critical.
If a student fails any core classes, he/she MUST make up the course(s) online over the summer.

5. Course Selection
Review the curriculum guide for requirements and course descriptions.
Every student must take:
Language Arts
Math
Comprehensive Science
Social Studies (World History, Civics, US History)
Electives
Reading is required for 6th grade
PE is required in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade
Arts, Foreign Languages, academic electives
Intensive classes (for FSA level 1 & 2)
CORE classes

6. Middle School Subject Selection Presentation
Selecting courses
Use previous years’ FSA scores
Consider current grades in specific subjects
Ask your child’s teacher for recommendations
Review the curriculum guide for requirements and course descriptions. (found on under Academics) or click here
Somerset Academy Middle School

7. Levels of Courses
Intensive – remedial class focused on learning strategies (required for students who score low on FSA)
Regular – on grade level classes
Advanced – Above grade level classes (high level FSA and A’s and B’s in academic subjects)
Pre-AP – Above grade level classes that require critical thinking and problem solving skills (Highest level FSA and A’s and B’s in academic subjects)
Honors- High school level courses, calculates in to students high school GPA. MUST EARN A’s & B’s.

8. Advanced Math Track:
To choose advanced math student must meet academic requirements (4-5 on FSA, A’s and B’s in current math class and performing above grade level. Must begin advanced track in 6th grade
Option 1: Advanced Math Track – ONE YEAR AHEAD
Advanced Math Track
6th
Grade 6 Math Advanced
(7th grade Math
7th
Grade 7 Math Advanced
(Grade 8 Pre-Algebra)
8th
Algebra I Honors (H.S level)

9. GEM MATH and SCIENCE TRACK
Option 2: GEM – TWO YEARS AHEAD
6th grade GEM (6-8th grade Math) – requires Highest FSA score and GEM placement test score of 75% to show mastery of concepts**
Students must be in GEM math in order to take GEM science but are not required to take GEM science.
GEM MATH
GEM SCIENCE
6th
GEM
(6-8th grade math)
Comprehensive Science 1 and 2
7th
Algebra I Honors (H.S level)
Comprehensive Science 2 and 3
8th
Algebra II Honors (H.S level)
Biology Honors (H.S level)
Taking and passing an End of Course Exam is necessary to earn a high school credit in Algebra 1 Honors, Algebra II Honors and Biology Honors and will be calculated as 30% of their final grade.

10. COURSE SELECTION SHEETS
Core
Classes
ELECTIVES X 2 X 1 3 X 4 X

11. Electives Arts General electives Foreign Languages
Dance, arts, drama, band, chorus
If interested in the Arts Conservatory for high school consider arts electives
General electives
Reading, Creative Writing, Key Boarding (online class)
Foreign Languages
Italian Beginning (6-7)
Italian 1- HS level begin in 7th grade (upon recommendation after Italian beginning)
Spanish 1 and Spanish for Speakers 1 can be taken starting in 8th grade with a GPA of a 3.25 (A’s and B’s)

12. High School Courses in Middle School
Students in middle school have the option to get ahead with their high school credits.
The most common ways to take high school classes:
Foreign Languages
Italian 1 (7th Grade) or Spanish 1, Spanish for Speakers 1 (starting in 8th grade)
Math
Advanced math students can choose between two tracks:
Advanced math track – ahead 1 year in math
GEM (Great Explorations in Math Program) – ahead 2 years in math
Science
GEM science- Biology Honors in 8th grade.

13. Grading for High School Classes
Middle school students taking a High school course will:
earn a high school credit
their semester grades will be calculated into their High School GPA (grade point average)
Will take an End of Course Exam to earn a high school credit in Algebra 1 Honors and Geometry Honors
Students may re-take a high school course if grade earned is a C, D, or F. Their new grade will count towards their GPA. (taken online in the summer or repeated the following year)

14. Schedule Changes
Schedule changes are done during the first week of school, ONLY.
Changes are not guaranteed
Be sure to select 4 electives, keeping in mind that you may not get your first two choices
Changes will not be honored for teacher change nor period swap

15. TO GO FROM 8TH GRADE TO HIGH SCHOOL
A student must PASS…
3 courses in Language Arts (6th, 7th and 8th grade)
3 courses in Math (6th, 7th and 8th grade)
3 courses in Science (6th, 7th and 8th grade)
3 courses in Social Studies (6th, 7th and 8th grade)
Must take the EOC in Civics (7th grade)
1 course in Career and Education Planning (including
the creation a PAC plan) to be completed in 8th grade
If a student fails any core classes, he/she MUST make up the course(s).

16. What happens if a student doesn’t pass a core class?
In middle and high school, if you do not pass a class, you must re- take it over the summer online here at school.
Somerset Virtual Academy is the online school our students use to make up courses.

17. Math FSAOR Algebra 1 EOC OR Algebra II EOC
FSA and EOC’s
6th grade
7th grade
8th grade
Reading FSA
Math FSA (grade level)
Math FSA OR Algebra 1 EOC
Math FSAOR Algebra 1 EOC OR Algebra II EOC
Writing FSA
Civics EOC
Science FSA
Minimum standards on FSA= level 3 or higher
Intensive math / reading will replace electives if FSA scores are low in reading and math
The FSA and all EOC’s will be computer based!

18. Future Planning!
Students in High School are able to take Honors and AP courses
Honors – above grade level courses
AP (Advanced Placement) – courses taught at the college level here at school
Contribute to student’s weighted GPA (higher GPA for grades of A, B, or C earned in these classes)
Students in HS participate in Dual Enrollment
College level courses taken at Broward College and other approved colleges
Students earn college credits for each course taken and passed
Usually begin during or after sophomore year
Through Dual Enrollment, students in high school can graduate with an AA (Associate of Art) degree
How can my Middle School student prepare for this?
By taking advanced and pre-AP courses and earning A’s and B’s
Doing well and preparing for standardized exams (EOC’s and FSA’s)
By taking high school level courses in Middle school and passing them with A’s and B’s

19. Pinnacle and Virtual Counselor
Teachers online grade book
Student ID # is used for the username: om
Date of birth is the password: PMM/DD/YYYY
Sign up for Notifications**
Check Pinnacle at least twice a week
Keep up with grades and assignments
Sign up for Teachers Websites**
Broward County’s academic database. Contains the following information:
Absences
Academic History
Marking Period Grades
Student Schedule
Middle School Progress
Test Scores
You need your child’s student ID # and birth date (DAY/MONTH/YEAR)

20. Preparing your child for Middle School
Organization
Communication
Arrange a time each day set aside for homework and study time
Encourage the use of Academic planners and color coded folders
Monitor use of time and help your child balance his/her schedule
Prepare their materials and organize their assignments the night before
Do not “back off” because your child is in middle school
Stay tuned to Facebook accounts, text messages, TV programs, websites etc.
Obtain teacher’s addresses the first week of school and communicate as much as possible
Have a pinnacle day of the week with your child

21. Parent Communication Somerset Academy Website: www.somersetacademy.com
Staff websites and addresses
Events and the school calendar
Parents should check Pinnacle for daily progress.
Teachers should be the first line of communication for course related questions and concerns.
Progress/Interim Reports are issued at the halfway mark of the grading period.
Report Cards are issued at the end of each grading period (every 9 weeks)

22. www.somersetacademy.com Any Questions email us:
All this and more is found at:
Under the Middle School Guidance Page
Any Questions us:
6th & 7th Grade Guidance Counselor-
7th & 8th Grade Guidance Counselor-
Stay tuned for
Summer Orientation dates!