ACADEMICS
At Smitha Middle School, our vision is to be a premier middle school that fosters and empowers life-long, global leaders who are engaged as stakeholders in their diverse communities. As an institution, we strive to reach, teach, and empower all students. In this quest, experiences are fostered where learning and growing are key objectives. For students to thrive, they must ask for help when needed and keep parents / guardians informed about their progress. As parents / guardians, our hope is that you will encourage your child to do his / her best every day, to ask for assistance when needed, and to check CTLS Parent and ParentVue consistently.
CURRICULUM Students in middle school will take the following academic courses: English / language arts, reading, science, math, and social studies. At the 8 th grade level, Spanish, high school science and high school math are available for qualifying students. Advanced content classes are available at all three grade levels for qualifying students. Students will also participate in Connections classes. These may include art, engineering, AVID, general music, math support, band, orchestra, chorus, and physical education( PE). Students have the choice from year-to-year to be a member of band, chorus, and orchestra; however, once they choose one of these classes, they are making a yearlong commitment to the class / program.
Student Schedules Great efforts are made to ensure students’ course schedules are appropriate for their academic needs. Student schedules are created based on several factors such as success in the previous grade level, success in previous courses, test scores and / or teacher recommendations, as well as other educational data. As a result, parent and student request for schedule changes cannot be honored for teacher preferences, social groups, connections, dissatisfaction, etc.
Other than band, chorus, and orchestra, connection classes are scheduled using random selection. Unfortunately, Smitha Middle School does not take requests concerning connection classes. Please contact the grade level administrator if there are questions or concerns related to the student’ s schedule.
Conferences Parents / Guardians are welcome to meet with teachers, counselors, and administrators to discuss their child’ s progress throughout the year. When conferences are arranged with teachers, they take place during teachers’ planning period or before or after school.
Additionally, a countywide conference week is held in October. All Cobb County middle schools will be on an early release schedule during conference week with student dismissal beginning at 1:30 p. m.
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