Middle School

The middle school curriculum in Newport News Public Schools is designed to help sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders make a smooth transition from elementary school to high school. Students master basic skills and apply what they learn to solve problems and make decisions. They are encouraged to explore and develop their career and leisure interests and to become well known as an individual by at least one professional adult.

A "core team" of two to five teachers provides classes in English, math, reading, science and social studies. Living skills, drama, industrial arts, music, foreign language, art, computer and physical education teachers make up another team.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) prepares middle and high school students for success in college. Through intensive tutoring and mentoring, AVID prepares students who might not reach their potential for success in higher education.

Middle school students also may participate in ATOMS, a program developed by Thomas Nelson Community College that introduces seventh- and eighth- graders to high-tech work settings and the Becoming Enthusiastic About Math and Science (BEAMS) program, which immerses students in a week of math and science at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.

Two magnet options are available to middle school students. Crittenden Middle School offers students a Math, Science and Technology magnet program as well as the regular comprehensive curriculum. Booker T. Washington Middle School is a Marine Science & Pre-Advanced Placement magnet school with high expectations for behavior and student responsibility. Students must apply to magnet schools and are accepted as space is available.

Guidance Program

Guidance services are vital to students' total educational development and are organized as an integral part of the teaching and learning process. The middle school Advisory Program for Students (APS) provides structured activities that help students grow. APS also provides each student with an adult in the school who knows him or her well and to whom the student can turn for assistance. Learn more about Guidance Services.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Conferences between parents and teachers may be held before or after school, or during the teacher's team planning time. To arrange for a conference, parents should send a note or call the APS teacher to determine a mutually convenient time. Please do not try to hold a conference at PTA meetings or during class time.

Gifted Program

Newport News Public Schools are committed to the development of the full potential of each student. The curriculum designed for identified gifted students provides a qualitatively differentiated curriculum by addressing four areas: content, process, product, and learning environment. Learn more about Gifted Services.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL)

ESOL is a class for students whose first language is not English. The Intensive ESOL teacher will help the students to listen, speak, read and write in English. ESOL students will go to other classes for math, physical education, and related arts, but they will stay in the ESOL class the rest of the school day.

The ESOL Reading class is for students who need extra help with their reading but who are able to speak and understand English.

All ESOL students are tested before they can enter the program, and they are tested again before they can leave the program.

Visitors

Parents and community members are welcome in our schools. We require that all parents and visitors report to the main office upon arrival.

Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations governing student behavior, including the student attendance policies, are provided in the student's Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. It is important for parents to review the handbook with their child. Certain discipline infractions will become part of the student's record.

Dress

A student will not dress, groom, wear or use emblems, insignias, badges or other symbols where the effect is to cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school. The principal or designee will determine whether any particular mode of dress, apparel, grooming or use of emblems, insignias, badges or other symbols results in interference or disruption. Learn more about NNPS dress codes.

Cafeteria

The cafeteria provides well-planned and balanced meals. Milk and other single items are available to those who bring their lunch. Lunch tickets may be purchased in advance.

Transportation

For safety reasons, students are expected to act in a reasonably quiet and orderly manner at bus stops, as well as when loading, riding and unloading buses. Students may be suspended from school for bus infractions. The bus driver must be obeyed at all times. Students are expected to ride buses when provided. When a student will not be riding the assigned bus, a parent-signed note must be brought to an administrator for approval. Go to Bus Stop information.

Textbooks

Schools furnish textbooks free of charge. If books are damaged or lost, students must pay for them.

Homework Policy

Homework is an important part of the educational experience, serving to:
- Strengthen skills already taught
- Increase learning time
- Provide enrichment opportunities
- Promote creativity, responsibility and independence
- Develop good work and study habits

Average Homework Timelines

Average homework timelines are recommendations. They are not meant to be minimum or maximum quotas. Some students may need more time and some less time to accomplish an assignment. The complexity of advanced level work may require additional time. Middle school students should expect an average of two hours of homework per night. This is a recommendation and is not meant to be a maximum or a minimum.

Standards of Learning Assessments

SOL Assessments required by the State of Virginia are administered in late April each year. Students in grades 3, 5, and 8 are administered tests in English, Mathematics, Science, History and Social Science. The English tests for grades 5 and 8 include a direct writing sample. In addition, a computer technology test is given to students in grades 5 and 8. End-of-course tests are administered in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, English II (including a direct writing sample), Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, World History, World Geography and U.S. History. As required in the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia, schools use the SOL test results as part of a multiple set of criteria for determining promotion or retention in grades 3, 5, and 8. Each in middle and high school who earns a passing score on an end-of-course SOL test is awarded a verified unit of credit in that course. View SOL scores.

Grading System

Report cards are issued each nine weeks and are supplemented by interim reports at the mid-point of each marking period. Students are evaluated at the end of each marking period on achievement, work-study habits, and attitude and behavior. In addition, the performance level is indicated for reading and mathematics. The comprehensive report card provides information to parents about the student's performance in core curriculum subjects and related arts courses. Eighth grade students are evaluated in all high school credit courses. View middle school grading scale.

Promotion and Retention

Promotion or retention of students is based on the teacher's and principal's judgment of what best serves the education welfare of the child. Parents will be informed early in the second semester if there is a possibility that placement will result in retention. This information will be conveyed to the parents through a conference and in writing. Any student with three or more F's for final grades will be retained.

Procedure for Withdrawal from School

It is preferred that a student withdrawing from school be accompanied by the parent/guardian to the school office. Office personnel should request confirmation of identification from the adult. A Request for Withdrawal form must be signed by the parent/guardian. In the event that a parent/guardian cannot come to the school to withdraw the pupil, a letter or a signed Request for Withdrawal form will be accepted; however, verification of its validity will be made by telephone. In no case may a student under the age of eighteen withdraw himself/herself from school. View complete withdrawal procedures.

Credit-Bearing Courses

Middle school students who enroll in and successfully complete high school courses receive high school credit that counts toward meeting the state-prescribed graduation requirements. The course grades become part of the high school transcript and are included in the student's grade point average. Virginia Board of Education Regulation VAC 20-131-90C allows parents to request that final grades in credit-bearing courses taken in middle school be omitted from the student's transcript and that the student not earn high school credit for the course if parents make a request in writing by July 1 of the eighth grade year.

Early Dismisal and Inclement Weather

Please note the dates on the school calendar on which schools close at midday for parent-teacher conferences. Parents should make arrangements for student's care when school closes early for any reason. View Closings and Cancellations information.

Emergency Procedures

Each school has an emergency operations plan to cover both natural emergencies (tornadoes, hurricanes, snow, icing, flood) and man-made emergencies (fires, bomb threats, civil disturbances, serious injuries, utility emergencies). This plan is available from each teacher and will be reviewed with students during the first week of school each year.

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Middle SCHOOL