All parents of incoming seventh-graders are asked to read the following Mars Area Middle School Scheduling Basics information, which was put together to help you understand the course requirements for a schedule at the middle school level.
Mars Area Middle School Scheduling Basics
Scheduling Basics is six-page document that includes the following:
- 9 Period Schedule
- Course Term Lengths
- Required Course Schedule
- Elective Courses
- Scheduling Scenarios
- English Language Arts and Mathematics Prerequisites
It is important to note that students must meet all course prerequisites for English Language Arts and Mathematics placements. Individual teacher requests are not permitted. Due to COVID-19, the Classroom Diagnostic Test (CDT) and PSSA scores will not be used as prerequisites for course placement in 2020-2021 School Year.
More information can be found in our Course Selection Manual, Scheduling Request Forms (not required for the 2020-2021 School Year) and the School Supply List that are posted at thttps://middleschool.marsk12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=799454&type=d&pREC_ID=1413618. These documents will provide you with more information related to the middle school courses, programs and scheduling.
After you have read the Scheduling Basics, along with any other posted documents, we will need you to determine if you would like a schedule built with Band, Chorus and/or Orchestra. You can select one, two or all three! All students are advised to schedule all elective courses carefully. Students may drop the course within the first 10 days of the school year with written permission from a parent/guardian. After the first 10 days, students will remain committed to the course and complete all course requirements for the remainder of the school year.
If your son/daughter is interested in any of these courses, please e-mail Candice Moser, Guidance Secretary, at [email protected]. In the e-mail, please list the student's first and last name; grade in the 2020-2021 School Year and the course(s) that you would like built into the Student's Schedule. All e-mails for music course selections must be received by no later than Thursday, June 4.
SAVE THE DATE! Mars Area Middle School's Building Visitations and Seventh Grade Orientation are scheduled as follows:
- Wednesday, Aug. 12 – Middle School Visitation (Seventh & Eighth Grade), 9 a.m. to noon AND 7 to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 12 – Middle School Seventh Grade Orientation, 6 to 7 p.m.
Tentatively, the Middle School expects that all student schedules and visitation information to be sent to all parents and students by Thursday, Aug. 6.