Academics

Academics Information for West End Students

 

Campus Portal

The Campus Portal (formerly known as the Family Portal) is a way for families and students to see real-time class and assignment grades, homework, attendance, etc. Additional digital tools used include Schoology, ClassLink and Teams & Office 365.

Communication

All our grade levels are unique, but communication is always important. 6th grade and 7th grade maintain a website for you to visit for what your students are doing the upcoming week. 8th grade sends out a weekly e-mail including this information to make sure your rising high schooler can be prepared for that transition.

English Language Arts

This year, grades 6-8 will be using SAVVAS's myPerspectives curriculum. All units are taught within our International Baccalaureate framework. Below you can find family letters for each grade level outlining the topics and essential questions students will explore each quarter.

 

Mathematics

This year, grades 6-8 will be using Illustrative Mathematics through Open-Up. This problem-based curriculum makes rigorous mathematics accessible to all learners. Below you can find more information about Illustrative Mathematics and how the math department at West End will frame their instruction.

Grades 6-8

Honors Courses

Honors English Language Arts (ELA) will be offered to students in 6th-8th grade, and Honors Math will be offered to 6th and 7th grade. In 8th grade, students have the opportunity to take Integrated Math I for High School credit. There is an opportunity for 8th grade students to take in-person High School Spanish during their Bonus Time period. Additionally, students have an opportunity to take virtual high school courses while at West End. This year, many 8th grade students are taking High School Environmental Science while a West End teacher assists with proctoring.

While all classes at West End offer students a relevant and rigorous IB education, honors courses will substantially exceed the content standards, learning expectations, and performance indicators approved by the State Board of Education. Teachers of honors courses will model instructional approaches that facilitate maximum interchange of ideas among students: independent study, self-directed research and learning, and appropriate use of technology.

Please be aware that your student’s enrollment in an honors course will be based on previous performance, not previous placement. The data to determine honors placements will come from many sources including but not limited to: Benchmark testing, TCAP testing, TVAAS Projections, grades, and teacher recommendations. Applications for next year's Honors courses come out in the Spring.

AVID

For West End Middle School, AVID is the strategic and collective effort of principals, teachers, and staff to create a learning environment where every student can be college-bound and career-ready by equipping students with the social and emotional faculties they need for life and career success.

By placing students in a learning setting that engages them in rigor with support, opportunities to explore their future pathways, and deliberate instruction in self-management and leadership, students develop the agency and skills that will serve them for life. With AVID, students excel regardless of their circumstances, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or English proficiency.

At West End Middle School, we offer these AVID supports for our students:

  • AVID Advisory - 6th Grade
  • AVID Elective – 7th and 8th Grade