In partnership with the community, parents, professional staff, and support staff, CSCSHC is dedicated to providing equitable educational opportunities by implementing the highest quality programs for all learners.
The CSCSHC curriculum is developed by staff for use at all schools and is aligned with the Indiana Academic Standards. Each grade level / subject area has specific goals; activities are then planned so that each student has an opportunity to achieve these goals. Specific information can be gained from curriculum documents, parent nights, weekly newsletters, and most certainly, teachers and building principals.
We feel that our district is leading the way in providing dynamic, individualized learning opportunities for all students.
New Palestine Junior High Honors and Accelerated Curriculum
Biology 1A-1B - Grade 8. This is a course based on the following core topics: cellular chemistry, structure, and reproduction; matter cycles and energy transfer; interdependence of organisms; molecular basis of heredity; genetics and evolution. Instruction focuses on developing student understanding that scientific knowledge is gained from observation of natural phenomena and experimentation by designing and conducting investigations guided by theory and by evaluating and communicating the results of those investigations according to accepted procedures.
Biology Requirements:
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Automatic Qualifier (meets one of the following):
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Completed Honors Science in 7th Grade
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Scores in the 96th percentile on the Fall or Winter NWEA Science assessment
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If a student doesn’t automatically qualify, they must meet the following criteria:
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A grade of A or B in 7th Grade Science during Semester 1
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7th grade Fall or Winter NWEA Science score above 90th percentile
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70th percentile or higher on Fall and Winter NWEA Reading assessment
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Above Proficient on 6th Grade ILEARN Science test
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Algebra 1A-1B - Grade 8. Five critical areas comprise Algebra I: Relations and Functions; Linear Equations and Inequalities; Quadratic and Nonlinear Equations; Systems of Equations and Inequalities; and Polynomial Expressions. The critical areas deepen and extend understanding of linear and exponential relationships by contrasting them with each other and by applying linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend, and students engage in methods for analyzing, solving, and using quadratic functions.
Alegbra Requirements:
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Automatic Qualifier (meets one of the following)
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Identified as High Ability in Mathematics during the 6th grade identification process
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Meets or exceeds a score of 90% on the Algebra Readiness Test given to all 7th graders (early Spring semester)
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Scores in the 96th percentile on the NWEA Math assessment during the Fall or Winter administration of their 7th grade year.
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If a student doesn’t automatically qualify by meeting one of the above criteria, they must meet THREE or more of the following criteria:
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85% or higher on the Algebra Readiness Test (early Spring semester)
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A grade of A or higher in 7th Grade Math during Semester 1
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7th grade Fall or Winter NWEA Math score in the 90th percentile or higher
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Most recent ILEARN Math score of Above Standard
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Honors Science – Grade 7. This course includes a combination of studies that students in grades 7 and 8 General Science classes receive, except higher level thinking skills will be expected throughout the course. In the Life Sciences students will investigate and observe cells and discover that the organelles within cells have specific jobs. From there the student will recognize that the cells work together to perform specific jobs leading to the study of the circulatory, digestive and immune systems of the body. Endeavors of the Earth Sciences begin with the make up of the earth and leads to learning about plate tectonics. Studies about rocks and minerals lead to an understanding about karst topography, glaciation and the water cycle have shaped the land in Indiana. Students determine the renewable and nonrenewable energy resources that are most beneficial and efficient in Indiana. The end of the year mostly involves the area of chemistry. This specifically teaches the arrangement of elements of the periodic table. Chemistry includes the understanding of physical and chemical changes which leads to balancing chemical equations. An understanding about the types of heat transfer is also included in the areas of physical science. Throughout the year major STEM projects are provided that may include the study of hot air balloons, roller coasters, and building earthquake safe structures. Many types of technology will be used throughout the course of this extensive class.
Honors Language Arts - Students in honors language arts classes at New Palestine Junior High School, identified as high ability by the district, focus on the current Indiana Academic Standards through a variety of strategies intended to develop the skill sets of high-ability students. As in all language arts classes, essential skills are mastered by reading and interacting with several different types of nonfiction and fictional texts. Students are expected to derive meaning from and be able to learn from material written at/above grade level. Many literary classics will be referenced and read during the year with emphasis on mastery of skills used in the analysis of literary elements.
A study of vocabulary based on Greek, Roman, and Latin roots is included to support language growth in conjunction with an in depth study of parts of speech and grammar intended to enhance language use across the academic curriculum. Students will also be expected to maintain an ongoing study of literature through self-directed personal sustained silent reading.
We will also develop skills in written college preparatory English language conventions: sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling, as well as continuing the development of writing expository, descriptive, and argumentative, compositions of varying lengths.
Accelerated Language Arts is based on Indiana’s Academic Standards for English/Language Arts for the grade level. It emphasizes reading, writing, speaking, and listening in interest-and age-appropriate content at a deeper level of understanding.
Success in this course requires committed students who are willing to work above the expectations required in a regular Language Arts class. Each student in this class is expected adhere to high standards of preparedness, participation, and responsibility.
Students develop advanced skills and strategies in reading. They read and respond to a variety of fiction selections, dramas, and nonfiction selections, using technology resources as appropriate. Students also self-select books of interest and read independently at a reading level appropriate to their ability.
Students develop advanced skills and strategies in language and grammar usage. They write and share several short and long pieces of writing throughout the year, and they support their writing by citing a variety of sources.