At Bret Harte, all students take at least six classes everyday: four academic classes, physical education, and an elective (or reading, if test scores are low). The four academic classes are English, History, Math and Science. Some students take an additional elective class in the morning (“A” Period) before the regular school day begins.

In sixth grade, classes are kept together for 6^th grade English and Ancient World History. Classes are also kept together for 6^th grade Math and Earth Science. Usually, both subjects are taught by one teacher. This type of scheduling is called “coring”. It helps young students make the transition from elementary school to middle school with multiple teachers per day.

In seventh grade, classes are kept together for 7^th grade English and World History. However, 7^th grade science is taught by teachers who specialize in Life Science. Seventh graders have the opportunity to take 7^th grade Math or Algebra. Admission into Algebra is determined by their score on the Algebra Readiness Test which was administered to students in the spring of sixth grade.

In eighth grade, all classes are taught by specific subject teachers in English, American History and Physical Science.  Students who have successfully passed Algebra will move on to Geometry. Students who scored well enough on the Algebra Readiness Test, which they repeated in the spring of seventh grade, will be placed in Algebra. The remaining students will take pre-Algebra in the 8^th grade.

Grades

The school year runs from August to June. It is divided into two semesters. Each semester is further divided into three marking periods. Therefore, there are six marking periods in the school year. Over the year, parents can expect to see six report cards.

At the end of each marking period, teachers submit grades to the office. The report card is issued one week later and is mailed to the home.

At the end of the third and sixth marking periods, a semester grade is determined. The semester grades are important because they become a part of the student’s permanent record. They are the grades which determine the GPA.