middle school curriculum

  6th 7th 8th
English / Language Arts CORE
World Cultures of Los Angeles
ELA: oral traditions, myth & folklore; modern ethnic literature
SS:  Korea; Ethiopia; Mexico/ Central Am.; Armenia		 Early Civilizations
ELA:  folklore & mythology, epic literature, poetry
SS:  Mesopotamia, China, India, Greece & Rome		 The American Dream
ELA:  novel/short-story, intro to formal research, speech & debate
SS:  Revolutionary ideals; The Old West; The Civil Rights Movement; America at War
Social Studies
Foreign Language No Foreign Language:
(6th grade students receive an additional block of language arts focusing on English grammar and mechanics.)		 MS Latin 7 MS Latin 8
Middle school Latin courses emphasize vocabulary, culture, and conversational phrases.  All students in grades 7 & 8 are required to take Latin.
  6th 7th 8th
Science Investigative Earth Science:
Using a curriculum developed at UC Berkeley in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, students explore geological processes through a series of experiments and lab activities.		 Investigative Life Science:
Using a curriculum developed at UC Berkeley in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, students explore biological processes through a series of experiments and lab activities.		 Investigative Physical Science:
Using a curriculum developed at UC Berkeley in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, students explore the physical laws that govern the universe  through a series of experiments and lab activities.
Environmental Studies Environmental studies consist of lessons, experiments, field trips, and/or community service projects that are integrated with the Core/Humanities and Science curricula.
  6th 7th 8th
Math Standard Track MS Math 6:
This course is designed for entering students who require additional practice in such areas as multiple digit multiplication, long division, and basic word problems.		 MS Math 7:
Known in many schools as Pre-pre-algebra.  This course is designed to prepare students as they progress to basic algebraic principles.		 MS Math 8:
Pre-Algebra focuses on using a step by step approach to solving simple algebraic expressions and applications.
Honors Track MS Math 6 Honors:
Same as MS Math 7		 MS Math 7 Honors:
Same as MS Math 8		 MS Algebra I:
Same as high school algebra I
Computers Computer 6 Computer 7 Computer 8
NHPS computer curriculum emphasizes proficiency in the following areas:  typing, word processing (MS Word), internet research strategies (Explorer / Firefox),  computer presentations (Power Point), and spreadsheet applications (Excel).  These skills are essential for students to be able to fully participate and succeed in other NHPS courses.  Desktop publication, web design, and computer maintenance/assembly are also covered, though not to the same degree.  Students approach these topics through integrated activities and projects, some of which operate in conjunction with other NHPS courses.
  6th 7th 8th
Arts Inter-disciplinary Art:  Rotation Inter-disciplinary Art:  Rotation Inter-disciplinary Art:  Rotation
The middle school arts rotation exposes students to the primary performing arts disciplines (drama, dance, and music) as well as a wide variety of visual arts.  Many of these arts projects are connected to topics and subjects covered in other academic courses.
Special Arts MS Special Arts
NHPS ' special arts program provides additional flexibility for teachers and students to pursue specialized projects, to complete projects begun in regular arts courses, and to meet in mixed-age and interdisciplinary groups in preparation for school-wide productions or arts initiatives.
P.E. PE 6 PE 7 PE 8
NHPS' physical education curriculum focuses on fun, fitness, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.  Students participate in activities and exercises directly related to increasing their proficiency in actual sports such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer.  Issues such developing healthy eating and sleeping habits are also discussed.
Human
Development		 Connections & Compassion Inquiry & Reflection Ethics & Society
NHPS' human development draws upon the Native American council process and a specific curriculum developed by the Ojai Foundation.  In council, students discuss school and adolescence-related issues such as character & integrity, teasing & bullying, and other provide a vehicle to increase faculty-student communication and understanding.  All NHPS faculty have received specialized training relevant to the council process.
College Counseling College counseling is integrated with the human development curriculum in addition to individual conferences/sessions with college counseling professionals in the 11th and 12th grades.