Academics

The purpose of our ‘System of Assessment and Reporting’ (SOAR) is to provide an ongoing dialogue between teachers, students and parents about individual learning and growth. Our reporting system consists of multiple resources for parents, teachers and students to use and access. These tools are designed and implemented so that continuous feedback is provided for teachers, parents and students. It is imperative that a learning system provides every student opportunities to demonstrate and celebrate his or her learning and receive feedback on his or her learning progress. In addition, the system fosters an environment so that parents know specific learning progress for their children.

S.O.A.R. Overview 

COURSE PLACEMENT PROCESS

We aim to deliver the right content at the right time to each student through appropriate class placement.

Our placement process includes collaboration with the student's teachers, local assessments and previous standardized test performance. It is important to note that our curriculum is not designed to prepare students to "get into" advanced coursework. If it becomes clear that a student requires a greater challenge outside of the general education content areas, he or she will be scheduled accordingly.

What can you do? Take a look at the SMS Curriculum Guide and begin a conversation with your student about his or her academic strengths, challenges, and the electives he or she would like to take advantage of in Middle School. Our curriculum is designed for exploration!

Course selection at SMS takes place in April, beginning with a visit to campus for all incoming sixth graders from across the district. New students to the district can arrange a tour by calling our Main Office at (248) 623-4200.

The Counseling Department at Sashabaw Middle School is devoted to providing a comprehensive program designed to cultivate thinkers, learners, and positive contributors to a global society. We strive to supports developmentally appropriate student achievement both academically, and socially.

SMS school counselors provide Individual Student Planning services to help students find "Right Fit" courses, including:

• Coordinating ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
• Consultation and collaboration with parents, educators (district-wide), and community organizations.
• Facilitating special events, like Parent Night, where students and parents can learn more about the academic and extracurricular opportunities at Sashabaw Middle School.

Nowhere will you find a better opportunity to "try it all," than in the middle school years at SMS.

SMS Curriculum Guide

Did you know now is the time to start thinking about a plan to develop interests and strengths into an academic focus, and ultimately, a career? We know this looks different for everyone (especially in middle school), so use these course recommendations as a very loose framework for some possibilities to explore in the coming years.

• If you're thinking about band or orchestra, it is strongly recommended that you begin in sixth grade, as there are no beginner band/orchestra classes after the sixth grade year.
• If you want to join the Clarkston Construction Tech program in 8th grade, try our STEAM electives.
• If you want to take Advanced Studies, AP, dual-enrollment or early college courses, or work toward an International Baccalaureate® (IB) degree, please check the Clarkston Junior HIgh School Curriculum Guide for a list of prerequisites.
• If you want to join CSMTech, you must first pass 8th grade Algebra and have had a conceptual physics experience prior to applying. Read more about CSMTech.

REQUESTS FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES

The course selection process needs to be taken seriously. All decisions regarding class choices should be carefully thought through as changes are not permitted except for extenuating circumstances.

If a student believes that a scheduling change is necessary due to unusual circumstances, a written request may be turned into the counseling office. The letter must be signed by the student as well as a parent.

All schedule change requests must be made by the fifth school day of each quarter.

The Michigan Merit Curriculum outlines the required 22 credits for graduation. Read more at Michigan Merit High School Graduation Requirements Frequently Asked Questions. Credit can be obtained in multiple ways using CTE Credit Exchange and Personal Curriculums. Please see your counselor for more information.

Graduation Credit Requirements

Did you know now is the time to start thinking about a plan to develop interests and strengths into an academic focus, and ultimately, a career? We know this looks different for everyone, so use these course recommendations as a very loose framework for some possibilities to explore in the coming years.

• If you want to take Advanced Studies, AP, dual-enrollment or early college courses, or work toward an International Baccalaureate® (IB) degree, please check the Clarkston Junior High School Curriculum Guide for a list of prerequisites.
• If you want to join CSMTech, you must first pass 8th grade Algebra and have had a conceptual physics experience prior to applying. Read more about CSMTech.
• If you want to pursue Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theatre Arts, or Visual Arts, you may wish to consider testing out of a course or taking a zero-hour health course to make room in your schedule for these electives. Talk to your counselor now about your options.

The focus of the Counseling Department at Clarkston Junior High School is to provide students and their families with comforting support and assistance in the development of their academic, career and personal/social skills.

CJHS Counseling Website

Clarkston Junior High students, with the guidance of the counseling department, may prepare to "test out" of a class. Students may use this option to customize their junior high school education or recover lost credit.

• "Request to Test Out of a Course" forms are available in the junior high counseling office. Testing will take place two (2) times per school year. (August and January)
• Length of test period to be determined based on subject area, course, and test items needed to indicate mastery.
• All 8‐9 students are eligible to participate in the "testing out" program.
• Successful testing out of a class will give credit toward graduation. When a successful level (C+/78% or higher) is accomplished, students will be allowed to advance in course sequence. Courses will appear on the transcript as tested out.
• CJHS will enforce all other rules as they pertain to P .A. 335 of 1993 – see section 1279b (MCL).
• The assessment for testing out must be used for the testing proficiency in the course. The assessment may include one or more of the following examples: written test, oral test, portfolio, project, etc.
• In order to test out, students must have knowledge of the subject matter. Requests for textbooks and/or study materials will be made by the student to the test out coordinator (if available).
• Honors and “IB” courses may not be tested out of. These classes are taught with the ideals and philosophies of the International Baccalaureate Programme, which may not be reflected on the test-out itself.

Read more

CJHS students may enroll in a summer school program with written approval from their counselor and/or administrator. Courses that are required for graduation must first be attempted at CJHS before being taken during summer or night school. Students need to enroll prior to the end of the school year so they are able to get counselor approval for the courses needed.

Counselors are not in their offices after the end of the school year. The counselors will have summer school materials after the first of May pertaining to calendar, actual meeting dates, course offerings, registration information, and fees. All courses must be approved by a counselor or administrator.