Niskayuna Central School District > Academics > K-12 Programs > Middle School Curriculum Overview

Middle School Curriculum Overview

Iroquois and Van Antwerp Middle Schools follow a consistent program of studies and curriculum, aligned with the New York State Common Core Learning Standards. Scroll down or use the links below to access information by subject area.

Art & Design

The Middle School Art & Design Program offers a sequential curriculum that builds essential skills. Students maintain sketchbooks throughout the program, practicing skills, problem solving, and techniques. Students are exposed to a variety of artists, cultures, and media. Our goal is to prepare students for the High School art and design program and instill a lifelong appreciation of and interest in the arts.

  • Students in grade 6 meet for art daily for one semester.
  • Students in grade 7 meet for art every other day for one semester.
  • Students in grade 8 meet for art daily for one quarter.

English Language Arts (ELA)

The ELA curriculum is guided by the Common Core Learning Standards and includes instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In reading, teachers focus on supporting students with comprehension and fluency through a balance of genres and a balance between instructional level and rigorous texts. In writing, teachers focus on supporting students with the writing process, writing across a variety of genres, using textual evidence in writing and discovering their voice as writers. For speaking/listening, teachers focus on supporting students with speaking in front of groups, formally and informally; listening to speakers, listening for comprehension. In addition to ELA instruction at all grade levels, students in sixth grade have a daily reading class.

Home and Careers (Family & Consumer Sciences)

Home and Careers is offered for ten weeks in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. As a student progresses through middle school home and careers courses, each new course builds on the experiences of the previous year. Units of study include skills for adolescence, food preparation and nutrition, financial management, and career exploration.

Health

Students in grades 6 and 8 receive a sequential, age-appropriate health curriculum that covers emotional health, nutrition, substance abuse prevention, diseases and disorders, and family life. Students in grades 6 and 8 have 10 weeks of health instruction. Seventh grade students receive instruction guided by the Project Alert substance abuse prevention curriculum. Detailed middle school health curriculum information can be found here.

Mathematics

Grades 6-8 Mathematics: A Pathway for Every Student

In grades 6-8, our mathematics program meets each student where they are and propels them forward on their unique learning journey. Every middle school student deserves rigorous, engaging instruction alongside personalized support to build confidence and competence.

Our Approach

Individualized Pathways – iReady diagnostics and personalized instruction provide insights into each student’s strengths and growth areas, enabling tailored learning experiences.
Targeted Intervention – Students needing support receive focused small group instruction and scaffolded opportunities that build foundational skills while maintaining access to grade-level content.
Acceleration Options – Students ready for greater challenge engage in deeper conceptual exploration, complex problem-solving, and productive struggle that develops critical thinking. Acceleration opportunities include both enriched instruction within grade-level content and pathways to advanced coursework for students prepared to move ahead
Flexible/Differentiated Instruction – Students move fluidly between learning groups within the classroom based on ongoing assessment and individual progress throughout the year.

The middle school mathematics program is designed to provide all students with the instruction and support necessary to achieve their full potential, whether they require additional time or are ready for advanced study.

What is the difference between Grade Level Mathematics and Accelerated Mathematics?

Grade-Level Mathematics
  • Focuses on mastering the standards and content for that specific grade
  • Students work at the expected depth and pace for their grade level
  • Includes appropriate challenge and rigor within grade-level expectations
Accelerated Mathematics
  • Students move through content at a faster pace, often covering material from higher grade levels
  • Going deeper into concepts with more complex, multi-layered problems
  • Engaging with higher-order thinking skills, analysis, and mathematical reasoning
  • Tackling challenging problems that require perseverance and creative problem-solving
  • Connecting concepts to real-world scenarios and abstract thinking
  • Engaging in sophisticated mathematical arguments and justifications
  • Compacting curriculum, i.e. covering 1.5 years of content in one year
  • Students might take courses earlier than typical (i.e. Accelerated Algebra 1 in 8th grade)
  • Creates one of many pathways to access higher-level courses in high school (AP Calculus, etc.)
  • Grade-level instruction with differentiation provides deeper exploration, extension, and enrichment within grade-level standards. Acceleration moves students beyond their current grade-level content into future coursework with inclusion of depth, critical thinking, productive struggle, advanced application, mathematical discourse and enrichment.

Selection for the Acceleration Pathway in Mathematics Begins in Grade 6

Eligibility Criteria – students must meet 4 of the following 5 criteria:
Quantitative Data
  1. In grade 4, achieve a Spring Diagnostic Score at or above the 85th Percentile
  2. In grade 5, achieve a Fall Diagnostic Score at or above the 85th Percentile, showing retention of mathematical content
  3. In grade 5, achieve a Winter Diagnostic Score at or above the 85th Percentile
    • Seeking growth
  4. Achieve a Mid Level 3 or Higher on the NYS Grade 4 Math Exam, NYS Grade 5 Math Exam scores are not released until the following school year.
Qualitative Data
  1. Recommendation by Grade 5 teacher who recognizes the student demonstrates an inquiring attitude towards learning mathematics, an interest in learning more mathematics and an ability to progress in mathematics with exemplary study skills.

Families of students who meet such criteria will be notified in the Summer concluding their 5th grade year.

Is Acceleration Appropriate For My Child?

Maintain the Accelerated Pathway (Math 6A, Math 7A, Accelerated Algebra)

To remain on the Accelerated math pathway (Math 6A, Math 7A, Accelerated Algebra), students must consistently meet rigorous academic and engagement criteria. Successfully meeting these standards is critical for student achievement, ensuring they possess the deep foundational knowledge necessary for subsequent advanced coursework. By sustaining a challenging academic rhythm, students build academic confidence and enhance their social-emotional wellbeing; this includes nurturing resilience, self-efficacy, and a strong identity as an effective learner.

Minimum Average: A cumulative average, end of Marking Period 2, greater than 70%.
Final Average: A cumulative Final Course Average greater than or equal to 80%.
Students must maintain a record of satisfactory or excellent effort and engagement: demonstrates productive struggle, critical thinking and perseverance. Students may not receive any (“U”s) in any marking period.

Communication and Support Protocols to Maintain the Accelerated Pathway at the Middle School Level

Departmental Communication: A formal letter from the Math Department will be disseminated at the conclusion of the first (Q1) and third (Q3) marking periods to students who are deemed “in danger” of not meeting the criteria. This letter will outline specific strategies for improvement and support resources.
Teacher Communication: Mid-way through the second (Q2) and fourth (Q4) marking periods, teachers will proactively communicate with the parents/guardians of students who are currently performing below the required standard.

Standardized Assessment Benchmarks:
iReady Diagnostic: Students are expected to maintain a score at or above the 85th percentile.
NYS Assessment (Grades 5/6/7): Students are expected to achieve a performance level of “mid 3” or higher.

Middle School Level Change

Purpose

The Middle School mathematics level change opportunity is designed for students who exhibit intellectual curiosity in the field of mathematics, a genuine desire for advanced mathematical knowledge, and the capacity for progression in mathematics supported by exemplary study habits.

This process is available to students currently enrolled in Grade 6 or Grade 7 within the Traditional Mathematics Pathway who wish to advance their level and have a documented record of success in their previous and current mathematics coursework.

Overview

The math level change process is a rigorous option that allows students to change math levels by demonstrating mastery of some of the next grade level’s skills, requiring them to complete an accelerated 6-8 week summer session of independent work.

Process and Requirements
  • Coursework: Complete an accelerated 6-8 week summer session of independent work focusing on units from the Math 6A or Math 7A curriculum that were not covered in the student’s current Math 6 or Math 7 class.
  • Focus: The work will provide rigorous content, leverage honed foundational skills, go deeper into concepts with more complex problems, and engage higher-order thinking, analysis, and mathematical reasoning.
  • Support: Teachers will offer virtual office hours twice weekly, for one hour per session, over a period of four to five weeks. These sessions are intended to provide support, clarification, and answer questions.
  • Submission Deadline: All coursework must be submitted no later than Aug. 15.
  • Goal: Successfully completing this work allows the student to begin the following school year on equal footing as their peers who completed Math 6A or Math 7A the previous school year.
Eligibility Criteria

To be considered, students must meet all six of the following criteria:

  1. Winter Diagnostic Score at or above the 85th percentile.
  2. Spring Diagnostic Score at or above the 85th percentile.
  3. Achieve a class average of 93% or higher (based on Q1, Q2, and Q3 combined) in their current mathematics course.
  4. NYS Mathematics Exam score (prior year) of mid-level 3 or above.
  5. A teacher recommendation recognizing the student’s inquiring attitude, interest in advanced math, and exemplary study skills.
  6. Completed Level Change Application submitted by May 15.
Final Placement Requirement

In addition to meeting all six eligibility criteria and completing the summer coursework, students must achieve a Final Course Average of 93% or higher in their current math course to be placed in Math 7A or Accelerated Algebra. Students who do not meet placement requirements will remain in the traditional course progression.

Key Dates

Application Deadline: May 15
Decision Notification to Families: June 15
Summer Coursework Due: Aug. 15
Schedule Adjustments Finalized at Iroquois Middle School: Late August

How to Apply

Applications will be distributed in April through ParentSquare to families of all eligible Grade 6 and Grade 7 students. All applications will be carefully reviewed for eligibility, and families will receive a decision by June 15. Please submit your completed application no later than May 15.

Please note that students placed in the Acceleration Pathway will be expected to maintain a minimum average, must not receive any “Unsatisfactory” (U) marking period grades, and must demonstrate satisfactory or excellent effort and engagement throughout the year.

Music – General Music & Middle School Ensembles

General Music

All students in grades 6-8 receive instruction in general music. The program allows students to participate in class ‘hands-on’ through the use of Chromebooks and MIDI keyboards. Our curriculum focuses on music theory and literacy, history, composition, musical theatre and learning keyboard and guitar. It accommodates various musical backgrounds and skill levels, while allowing all students to be simultaneously engaged. Cooperative learning among students is encouraged. Students in Grade 8 will explore music through the use of the acoustic guitar.

Sixth grade students meet every day for one quarter and 7th and 8th grade students meet on alternate days for one semester for a total of 10 weeks of instruction each year.

In addition to general music, all students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades have the opportunity to participate in bands, choirs and orchestras.

Performing Ensembles

Our Middle School Music Department offers three ‘core’ ensembles- band, choir, and orchestra. All ensembles meet outside of the regular school day before school begins. Attendance for these rehearsals is expected in the same way as any other class. Students may enroll in band, choir or orchestra alone, or band and choir, or orchestra and choir.

Core Ensembles
6th Grade – Band, Orchestra, Choirs
7th Grade – Band, Orchestra
8thGrade – Band, Orchestra
7/8th Grade – Choirs

Select Ensembles
Chamber Strings
Jazz Ensemble
Mezzo Voce

Physical Education

The middle school Physical Education (P.E.) program is aligned to the New York State Learning Standards of maintaining personal health and fitness, maintaining a safe and healthy environment, and accessing personal and community resources. Middle school students have P.E. every other day all year.

Science

Students study earth & atmospheric science (6th grade), life science (7th grade) and physical science and chemistry (8th grade).

Social Studies

The social studies curriculum meets the NYS Social Studies Framework and five learning standards. Students study world civilizations and the Eastern Hemisphere (6th grade), U.S. history I (7th grade) and U.S. history II (8th grade).

Technology

Middle school technology education is an investigative, activity-based program. Students are asked to solve technical problems through the gathering of information, the development of solutions, and the creation of a plan to solve the problem. Seventh grade technology is a foundation course that develops student’s technical literacy through design, invention, and innovation through the study of how technological solutions impact society and the environment. Eighth grade technology revolves around a systems approach to the creation, monitoring, and modification of technical systems.

World Languages

Students can choose to study French or Spanish beginning in sixth grade. Grade 6 foreign language is a semester class (20 weeks) and 7th and 8th grade students take a full year of foreign language. Eighth grade language is the Level I high school course, and at the end of the year, students take a local proficiency exam that fulfills their high school language requirement. At the end of eighth grade instruction, teachers will recommend students for language I, II, or II H in high school.