1. Middle School: A Springboard To the Future
Richard Merkin Middle School
Home of the Trailblazers
Presented by: Mrs. Acimovic, Counselor

2. Why are we here today? Revisit RMMS vision for culminating students
Academic knowledge:
A-G Requirements
GPA
Credits
Transcripts

3. 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.

4. RMMS ESLRs ESLRs = Expected School-Wide Learning Results
These help prepare you to be college and career ready
Effective Communicator
Productive and Tolerant Citizen
Critical Thinker**
Life-Long Learner**

5. ESLR: Critical Thinker
Understand that decisions made today effect the future
Make connections between classroom learning and real world experience

6. ESLR: Life-Long Learner
Maintain high expectations for self
Formulate and pursue life-long learning goals
Develop college readiness

7. College Readiness Academic Readiness Academic Behaviors
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

8. A College Education… Is an investment in: Yourself: Your Future:
Knowledge
Skills
Greater earning potential $$$$$
Your Future:
Broader range of career opportunities
Less likely to be unemployed
Linked with better health care
Your Community:
Contribute to economic growth in your area
Serve as a role model

9. OK We Get it. College is important
OK We Get it! College is important! But why is this important to know NOW? We’re only in middle school?

10. PATHWAY TO COLLEGE
START 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.)

11. 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. . .

12. How to Get Good Grades Believe in Yourself Be Organized
Manage Your Time Well
Be Successful in Class: Show on time, with supplies, prepared to learn
Take Good Notes: Actively listen to speaker, ask ??? if unclear
Know How to Read a Textbook (CATCH)
Study Smart: use # 1-6 to help you with this!!
Use Test-Taking Strategies…Doing your homework will help prepare you for tests
Reduce Test Anxiety: preparation, good sleep and nutrition, relaxation techniques
Get Help When You Need It (and KNOW your teacher)

13. 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 = points
B = 2.7 – 3.39 points
C = points
NP = 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.

14. 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

15. 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:
Grades
Grade Point Average (GPA)
Credits
*You will each receive your transcript during the next advisory meeting

16. A-G Requirements
Set 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

17. A-G Requirements

18. RMMS Middle School Schedule
Subject Area
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
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 Than
English
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

19. Credits Earned Per Year
A-G
Subject
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Total
Middle School
A- History 10
30 credits
B- English
C- Math
D- Science
E-LOTE
N/A
F- VAPA
20 credits
G- College Prep Elective
Elective
10 credits PE
Advisory 5
15 credits
Total Annual Credits 65
Passing all classes
130 total
195 total
195

20. Main Points from Today Middle school is a time to develop:
College readiness
All 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.

21. 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. . .

22. Aim High
9th 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.

23. Next Steps Advisory follow up activity
Semester 1 is gone reflect
Semester 2 is beginning set goals
Spring advisory plans- college and career exploration
ILP/portfolios/exit interviews

24. Thanks for your attention!
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” - Robert Collier