Middle School: A Springboard To the

FutureRichard Merkin Middle School

Home of the Trailblazers

Presented by: Mrs. Acimovic, Counselor

Why are we here today?

Revisit RMMS vision for culminating students

Academic knowledge: A-G RequirementsGPA CreditsTranscripts

RMMS Vision

RMMS is a community of learners, committed to challenging and supporting middle grade students,

and preparing them for success at higher educational levels. RMMS students are empowered

with the skills and knowledge required for graduation from a four-year college or university.

RMMS ESLRsESLRs = Expected School-Wide Learning Results

These help prepare you to be college and career ready

Effective CommunicatorProductive and Tolerant CitizenCritical Thinker**Life-Long Learner**

ESLR: Critical ThinkerUnderstand that decisions made today effect the

future

Make connections between classroom learning and real world experience

ESLR: Life-Long Learner

Maintain high expectations for self

Formulate and pursue life-long learning goals

Develop college readiness

College ReadinessAcademic Readiness

Demonstration of learning/mastery of coursework (i.e., grades, test scores, etc.)

Academic Behaviors Skills, attitudes, knowledge

Understand: relationship between academics and world of work effort is necessary hard is ok. Don’t be afraid of it mistakes are part of learning

Motivation, persistence, commitment, personal responsibility, initiative

Cooperation, teamwork, goal-setting, study skills

A College Education… Is an investment in:

Yourself: KnowledgeSkillsGreater earning potential $$$$$

Your Future: Broader range of career opportunitiesLess likely to be unemployedLinked with better health care

Your Community: Contribute to economic growth in your areaServe as a role model

OK We Get it!

College is important!But why is this important to

know NOW?

We’re only in middle school?

PATHWAY TO COLLEGESTART HERE

Elementary School

Middle School

High School (High School Diploma)

2-Year College (AA or AS Degree)Transfer to

4-Year College/University (BA or BS Degree)

START HERE

Elementary School

Middle School

High School (High School Diploma)

4-Year College/University (BA or BS Degree)

2 or More Years (Masters Degree) or Professional Degree

Doctorate (Ph.D.)

Why are grades important?

Grades are a measure of your learning

Because you will continue to build on what you learn

So you can successfully move to High School and beyond

Future Plans: Be prepared for college, work world…

*Grades are only part of the equation for college and career readiness. An important one for sure but not the only predictor of success. More later. . .

How to Get Good Grades

1. Believe in Yourself

2. Be Organized

3. Manage Your Time Well

4. Be Successful in Class: Show on time, with supplies, prepared to learn

5. Take Good Notes: Actively listen to speaker, ask ??? if unclear

6. Know How to Read a Textbook (CATCH)

7. Study Smart: use # 1-6 to help you with this!!

8. Use Test-Taking Strategies…Doing your homework will help prepare you for tests

9. Reduce Test Anxiety: preparation, good sleep and nutrition, relaxation techniques

10. Get Help When You Need It (and KNOW your teacher)

What is G.P.A. &how is it calculated?

G.P.A. = Grade Point Average

For every 20 week/semester-long course you take, you earn grades that are equivalent to points. The point breakdown for Alliance schools is below: A = 3.4 - 4.0 points B = 2.7 – 3.39 points C = 2.0 - 2.69 points NP = 0 - 1.99 points

* 5 week report cards are “progress reports” indicating how well you are learning so far and are NOT final grades until the end of 20 weeks.

To calculate your G.P.A. you add all your points earned for a grading period and divide that total by the number of classes taken (7). The resulting number is your G.P.A.

Your cumulative G.P.A. can be calculated similarly by including ALL classes you have completed since the start of middle school.

What is a credit?Credits are the points earned for passing a class.

They are NOT the same points as grade points in GPA. There is no scale of 0-4 points with credits.

Grade of C, B, A = 5 credits per semester class

Grade of NP= O credits!!!!! (In High School you must retake class and pass to earn credit and a HS diploma)

You earn 5 credits for a passed ½ year/semester class

You earn 10 credits for a passed 1 year class

Passing advisory class earns 2.5 credits per semester

What is a transcript?A cumulative record of all of the classes you’ve taken and grades

you’ve earned since you’ve been at RMMS

Items included:

1. Grades

2. Grade Point Average (GPA)

3. Credits

*You will each receive your transcript during the next advisory meeting

A-G RequirementsSet of courses students are required to take in

high school in order to apply to a 4-year university

Ensure students are prepared for courses, majors, and programs offered at UC and CSU

Must be passed with grade “C” or higher

A-G Requirements

RMMS Middle School Schedule

Subject Area 

Grade 6 

Grade 7 

Grade 8 

A. History / Social Science Ancient Civilizations Medieval Times United States History

B. English/Language Arts

Common Core English 6 Common Core English 7 Common Core English 8

C. Math Common Core Math 6 Common Core Math 7 OR CC Math 7 - (Honors)

Common Core Math 8

D. Science Integrated Science 6 Life Science Physical Science

E. Language Other ThanEnglish

F. Visual / Performing Arts   Theater (S1)Art (S2)

Art (S1)Theater (S2)

G. College Prep Elective  

Physical Education PE 6 PE 7 PE 8 

Other Electives Middle School Success

Alliance Requirement Advisory Advisory Advisory

Credits Earned Per YearA-G Subject

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade TotalMiddle School

A- History 10 10 10 30 credits

B- English 10 10 10 30 credits

C- Math 10 10 10 30 credits

D- Science 10 10 10 30 credits

E-LOTE N/A

F- VAPA 10 10 20 credits

G- College Prep Elective

N/A

Elective 10 10 credits

PE 10 10 10 30 credits

Advisory 5 5 5 15 credits

Total Annual Credits65 Passing all classes

65Passing all classes130 total

65Passing all classes195 total

195

Main Points from TodayMiddle school is a time to develop:

College readinessAll 4 ESLRs – they demonstrate/support

being college ready

Middle school years are a time of opportunity: a time to learn new subjects, a time to find out what you like and what you want to become in the future.

Start Now The messages you receive in middle school and the self-beliefs you

adopt now can define and shape your high school years – and even beyond!

Focus NOW on preparing for high school

• Identify strengths and challenges – boost your own self-awareness!

• Develop good study habits

• Engage in healthy behaviors (nutrition, exercise, etc.)

• Set goals for yourself

• Maintain good attendance and take responsibility for your behavior

• Begin college and career exploration- more on that later. . .

Aim High9th grade performance is highly predictive of

how likely a student is to graduate high school.

Strong performance in the mathematics during the middle grades prepares students for achievement in high school mathematics, so they’re ready for success in high school.

• Struggling in class? Find help (teachers, peers, parents, siblings, tutoring, etc.)

• Aim to learn as much as you can in all your classes and test proficient or above.

Next StepsAdvisory follow up activity

Semester 1 is gone reflectSemester 2 is beginning set goals

Spring advisory plans- college and career exploration

ILP/portfolios/exit interviews

Thanks for your attention!

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

- Robert Collier