Middle Level Grades
Our goal is to grow and foster each child to his/her fullest potential!
A Breakdown of What We Offer
| Classes Offered per grade: | 6th | 7th | 8th |
| Math | 5 x week | 5 x week | 5 x week |
| Science/Health | 5 x week | 5 x week | 5 x week |
| Social Studies | 5 x week | 5 x week | 5 x week |
| Language Arts | 5 x week | 5 x week | 5 x week |
| Physical Education | 2 x week | 2 x week | 2 x week |
| Spanish | 2 x week | 3 x week | 5 x week* |
| Library | 1 x week | Pull out | 2 x week |
| Technology | Pull out | Pull out | 1 x week |
| Leadership and Community Service | 2 x week | ||
| Electives | 5 x week | 5 x week | 5 x week |
*If chosen as elective. High school credit if C or better.
Highlights
There are 6 academic periods per day, 55-minutes long. Generally, core classes are single grade level, although individual students sometimes take an advanced class to meet their academic needs.
Many elective classes are mixed-grade classes.
Pull-out students receive specialized lessons each term throughout the year.
Core Subjects
Science classes with:
- hands-on science and in-class labs
- scientific writing and investigation with “I Wonders”
- Science Fair
- science field trips to the coast, Mt. Hood, and Portland State
- Outdoor School for 6th graders
Challenging math classes by outstanding district- recognized teacher: Algebra, also high school credit offered
Language Arts projects like:
- publishing a magazine
- creating narrative, digital memory books of students’ K-5 years
- Cross-curricular Social Studies activities like:
- becoming archeologists, researching daily life in ancient cultures, and creating artifacts and a museum to house exhibits
- creating a character and keeping journals as if they lived during the Civil War
- eighth graders learning financial literacy from community partner Arnerich Massena’s analysts
Social Studies such as a field trip to the Multnomah County Courthouse
And that’s just a taste of the core classes!
Electives Offered 2011-2012
- The Science of Gardening — Exploring Green
- French Culture, History, and Conversation
- French I
- Global Citizenship
- Culture & Technology with master musicians Chata Addy and Norman Sylvester
- Student Council/School Newspaper
- Teacher’s Assistant
- Extreme Reading
High school credit is available for Spanish I and Algebra I – II if the student’s grade is a C or better.
Electives Bring:
- Games, songs, raps, and dances in Spanish. Guest musicians perform and make instruments with students
- African drumming and dance with Chata Addy & songwriting and recording with Norman Sylvester
- Interactive digital oral history archive project about our N/NE Portland elders using the latest Web 2.0 tools
- Students in Culture & Technology class will participate in several performances throughout the community
- Field trip to Mercy Corps Action Center
- Oregon Peacemakers Conference for all eighth graders
Extra Curricular Activities
- Afterschool programs – MUSE band, guitar lessons, art classes, yoga, Capoeira, Scrabble Club, Spelling Bee
- Battle of the Books
- Irvington’s award-winning Fractals Math Team (2nd in the state in 2010-11)
- Arnerich Massena—provides enrichment programs—Girls Club, Camp Counselors, 8th Grade Mentoring Program
- Maurice Lucas Sports Academy – twice weekly program run by Karen Barker using basketball to teach character development and organizational skills
- Volleyball Friday nights—Won 2011 Championship!
- Sports through regional leagues
- Annual talent show
- Dances and social events throughout the year
- Field trips: Washington D.C., Beach, Mountains, Outdoor School and more
Also, the Irvington middle school experience gives:
Continuity: All teachers, staff and parents know the students and have watched them grow and learn for years.
Community: Close-knit, engaged and local community provides support and a caring environment.
Connection: Older kids still connect with younger buddies, fostering responsible behavior and positive role models.
Intimacy: Students will not be lost in the shuffle. Everyone is actively engaged and valued in school.
Irvington school volunteers make it happen!
PTA coordinates parent involvement at school but you are in charge of what you’d like to do. Not all families look the same and not all volunteer roles are the same and both can change from year to year. If you had 10 hours to share with our school this year, what would you like to do? Together many hands make light work and our community grows. Best of all your child will see you actively involved in his/her future.
