Our junior high school course requirements are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that Mesa Public Schools students may be successful as they prepare for high school studies.

The Governing Board approved a change in junior high requirements for 2007-08. The move came after more than 18 months of study by curriculum staff and principals. Two public hearings were held and notification letters were sent to all families with youngsters in grades three through eight.

The junior high school day will increase by 15 minutes so teachers may spend more time on instruction.

Beginning next school year, seventh- and eighth-grade students will take a full year of science. This is an increase from the current one-semester class. Ninth-grade students already take a full year requirement of science.

Students in Mesa Public Schools have traditionally scored well compared with others in neighboring districts, statewide and throughout the U.S. The increase in science requirements will help our students remain competitive with their peers in our global economy. The change will also better prepare our students for the science AIMS test that our state will begin this year.

The seventh-grade physical education requirement will decrease from two semesters to one. The eighth-grade physical education courses will remain unchanged.

Electives are an important addition to the school day. Under these changes, the typical seventh- and eighth-grade students will have two semesters of electives.

One semester of reading will still be required for seventh-grade students, but the requirement may be waived if students meet new criteria established by the district. A waiver is already in place for eighth-graders. Students who receive a waiver will have an additional elective semester.

The district will also implement an “A” hour before school and/or a “Z” hour after school class. The district will provide the extended day to seventh-grade students who want to take an additional semester of physical education, students in the AVID or pre-International Baccalaureate programs, and students who have AIMS test scores of “falling far below” and need extra academic assistance.

Financial assistance will be available at the district level for seventh- and eighth-graders who request an A or Z hour. Remaining funds may be requested for use by other students for those classes. The Governing Board will review and adjust this procedure next fall.

Junior high school staff will begin meeting with incoming seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-graders after the winter break to register for classes. The 2007-08 course description book will be available at the school in late January and online now.