Junior High courses at Heritage Academy are designed to assist the scholars in meeting and exceeding the basic requirements in English, History, Math and Science before progressing on to the high school curriculum. We encourage all of our scholars to strive for excellence, so that the foundation that is laid in junior high becomes a stepping stone to further success. In order to assist our scholars in this pursuit, we offer classes in reading and writing to supplement the basic course work.

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Heritage Academy Course Requirements for 7^th Grade

• 7th Grade History
• 7th Grade English
• Math (General Math or Pre-Algebra usually)
• 7th Grade Science
• Music
• Physical Education
• Art

Heritage Academy Course Requirements for 8^th Grade

• 8^th Grade History
• 8^th Grade English
• Math (Pre-Algebra or Algebra I usually)
• 8^th Grade Science
• Classical Languages II (or Classical Languages I if not taken yet)
• At least 1 semester of Fine Arts (Music, Art or Drama). Choir and Instrumental classes are year-long.
• At least 1 semester of PE (Fitness, Kenpo, Dance, or Athletics)
• Keyboarding (if not previously taken)
• Other elective choices may fill in the remaining classes

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Classical Languages

Latin I: All junior high scholars will be enrolled in a Latin course in which they will be introduced to the great classical language of Latin. Scholars will learn why so much emphasis was placed on this language by the Founding Fathers. They will learn how Latin can improve their knowledge of English, improve SAT scores, and act as a springboard into the learning of other Foreign Languages (especially French and Spanish), Math, Science, Medicine, Literature and many other subjects. Scholars will learn the alphabet, vocabulary, roots and other components of this language. This course will prepare scholars to read, write and understand this great language.

Latin II: A brief review of Latin I and then second year skills such as translating stories, poems and passages will be added.

Mathematics

Each student is placed in a math class based on the score of their entrance placement exam. On the first day of class, another assessment is given to help determine if the placement is the right place for the student. If a change is recommended, scholars and parents are contacted and schedules are changed. We do our best to place the scholars in the math class that is most appropriate to their individual skill level. If parents or scholars feel the placement is not a good fit, feel free to contact the teacher. Jr. High level math courses are as follows:

General Math
This is the 7^th grade math class. The curriculum is based on the AZ state 7^th grade math standards found at https://www.azed.gov/azccrs/mathstandards/. The course includes a study of various graphic displays including stem and leaf plots and scatterplots, linear functions, solving multi-step equations, geometry and integers.

Textbook: Holt McDougal Mathematics-Grade 7

Requirements: Scientific Calculator

Pre-Algebra
This course is for 7^th and 8^th grade scholars. The curriculum is based on the AZ state math standards for both 7^th and 8^th grade. These can be found at https://www.azed.gov/azccrs/mathstandards/ . The course includes a study of various graphic displays including box and whisker plots and scatterplots, linear functions, solving multi-step equations, geometry and integers.

Textbook: Holt McDougal Mathematics-Grade 8

Requirements: Scientific Calculator

Algebra I
Scholars enrolled in this course will learn problem solving approaches, thinking and algebraic skills necessary for future mathematics courses and other disciplines. It includes a study of real number systems, linear equations, linear inequalities, exponential functions, quadratic equations, and statistics. Scholars must show mastery of Algebra 1 before advancing to Geometry.

Prerequisites: Pre-Algebra or Placement Test (It is rare for 7^th graders to test into Algebra I)

Textbook: Holt McDougal Algebra I

Requirements: Graphing Calculator

Reading and Writing

All 7th grade scholars who do not pass the reading/writing Heritage Academy placement test will be enrolled in a Reading/Writing Skills Class, unless they have demonstrated proficiency in a Heritage Academy reading/writing summer school class. All 7th and 8th graders will be enrolled in yearly English classes.7th and 8th grade English classes offer challenging curriculums focused on literature, grammar, speaking, and writing skills. The studies of classic literature from a variety of genres include critical thinking and follow up writing experiences. The composition program emphasizes writing as a process: prewriting, rough drafts, revising, editing, and publishing of final copies.Scholars will write friendly and business letters, five-paragraph expository essays, literary analysis essays, personal narrative essays, creative narrative essays, and persuasive essays. Writing is scored according to a rubric based on traits of good writing, and scholars will learn how to critique their own writing. Scholars will also write responses to literature, nonfiction and poetry, and will write their own poetry. The focus in grammar is on parts of speech, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure.

Elective Courses

All scholars are encouraged to expand and improve their talents. We encourage scholars to take an interest in and involve themselves in music, art and sports. All 7^th grade scholars need to be enrolled in a full year of choir or a band or orchestra class; all 8^th grade scholars need to be enrolled in at least one semester of a Fine Arts course. 8^th grade scholars are also required to take one semester of Keyboarding, a course where they learn typing and the Microsoft Office Suite.

Scholars are also encouraged to develop their physical abilities. All junior high scholars are required to take at least one semester of a P.E. class each year. Heritage Academy offers P.E. classes and competitive team sports which include after school programs.

Junior High Course Electives

7th Grade Electives	8th Grade Electives
Beginning Band	Beginning Band
Concert Band *minimum 1 yr. experience	Concert Band *minimum 1 yr. experience
Beginning Orchestra	Beginning Orchestra
Concert Orchestra *min. 1 yr. experience	Concert Orchestra *min. 1 yr. experience
Women’s Choir	Chamber Orchestra *Audition required
Men’s Choir	Jr. Choir
Kenpo 1	Kenpo 1
Fitness (PE)	Kenpo 2
Dance I	Fitness (PE)
Dance II *Audition required	Keyboarding *Required
Dance III *Audition required	Dance I
Jr. Art	Dance II *Audition required
Jr. Drama	Dance III *Audition required
Jr. High Basketball	Jr. Art
Jr. High Girls Basketball	Jr. Drama
Jr. High Co-ed Soccer	Jr. High Basketball
Jr. High Girls Volleyball	Jr. High Girls Basketball
Jr. High Baseball	Jr. High Co-ed Soccer
Jr. High Softball	Jr. High Girls Volleyball
Pilates	Jr. High Baseball
Math Lab (Study Hall)	Jr. High Softball
Swimming	Pilates
Flag Football (co-ed)	Math Lab (Study Hall)
Yearbook	Swimming
Student Government	Organization & Leadership
*elected position	*Special education teacher recommendation required
Jr. High Cross Country	Weight Training
Jr. High Track and Field	Flag Football (co-ed)
Organization & Leadership	Yearbook
*teacher recommendation required	Student Government *elected position
	Jr. High Cross Country
	Jr. High Track and Field