Belmont Ridge Middle School

Home of the River Hawks

Motivated….Dedicated…

Educated!

Mission

Belmont Ridge Middle School ensures the future success of our students, by providing an equitable, engaging environment of educational success.

Belmont Ridge Team

Mr. Flynn PrincipalMr. McKenzie Assistant

PrincipalMr. Surma Assistant

PrincipalMs. Lowery DeanMr. White CounselorMrs. Piper SecretaryTeachers!

Block Schedule 90 Minute Blocks Classes meet every other day: A

Day and B Day 4 Classes Per Day Resource/Spectrum/Workshops Music/Art/Teen Living/

Reading/Foreign Language/Manufacturing

Sample Student Schedule

A DAY B Day1 Language Arts 5 Math2 Art 6 Resource3 History 7 Science Lunch Lunch4 PE/Health 8 Foreign

Language

Academics Provide an enriching and challenging

academic program.

Choose courses carefully to meet the needs of your child.

Course Selection Process Students will begin

course selections with Mr. White, February 17th and February 18th. They will be bringing home a copy of their course selections, for you to verify and return.

Your child’s teachers will make recommendations to assist you and your child with course selections for next year.

Middle School Program of Studies

The Program of Studies can be found on the LCPS website.

Registering for classes – Page 1

High school credit courses in Middle School

(Foreign Language and Math) – Page 4

Special Programs (Spectrum, Academy of Science,

Thomas Jefferson High) – Page 6

Math Progression Chart – Page 8

Course descriptions – Page 16 – 19

Course Selection Form

COURSE SELECTIONSAll 8th graders take the following courses: Language Arts History Science Math PE/Health Resource Electives: Manufacturing, Teen Living,

Music, Art, Foreign Language, and Reading

Schedule Options - 8th Grade

Math (Math 8 , Algebra I or Geometry)

Fine Arts Elective: Music FY( Band, Chorus, Strings, Guitar ), Art, Manufacturing, or Teen Living (FY or Semester)

Reading Foreign Language: French,

Latin, German, or Spanish Honors v. Academic Spectrum/Resource

Honors Classes

Same curriculum and SOL requirements. Academic content is embedded in the honors curriculum.

Assessments may require more essay writing and critical thinking skills.

Make choices that will keep your child well balanced and not stressed.

Goal ~ All BEMS students will take at least one honors class before leaving middle school

Math Selection ProcessThis is a scaled down version of the chart in the

Program of Studies. A copy of that chart is on the back of the map

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8Math 6

Math 6 SOL TestMath 7

Math 7 SOL TestAlgebra I

SOL Test High School

Credit

Accelerated Math 6/7

Math 7 SOL Test

Algebra ISOL Test

High School Credit

GeometrySOL Test

High School Credit

*Math 8By invitation onlyMath 8 SOL Testhttp://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/instruction/

Language Arts Class meets every other day

Writing Research Literature Oral Language Vocabulary

Syllabus

http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/instruction/

Civics Content Covered The Role of a Citizen in the US “Of the People, By the People, For the

People” The Structure and Function of

Constitutional Institutions Economics: Who Gets What? When and

How? Syllabus

http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/instruction/

Science Content Covered

Matter Atomic Structure Energy Temp/Heat Transfer Sound & Light Work/Force/Motion Electricity

Syllabus http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/instruction/

Homework in 8th Grade Homework is a

practice of the student learning

Students should not rely on resource to complete missing homework.

Teachers will have homework posted on the Belmont Ridge Middle School web page, listed under teacher

Spectrum Offered during 45

minute of the resource class.

Student participation is optional.

Participation option may be exercised from year to year.

Selection criteria is used to identify students who will be participating in Spectrum

LCPS Academy of Science (AOS)

Program is located at Dominion High School for students in grades 9 - 12.

Application/selection process begins in the 8th grade.

Must have the PSAT (Administered in the Fall of 8th Grade).

Must complete Algebra I with a grade of B or better by the end of the 8th Grade

AOS website: http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/aos/

Thomas Jefferson High School

forScience and Technology Program is located in Fairfax, Virginia Application/selection process begins in

the 8th grade and includes an admission examination.

Must complete Algebra I by the time of enrollment

TJHS website: http://www.tjhsst.edu

Naval JROTC

Located at Loudoun County High School

The mission of the NJROTC program is to instill in students the ideals of Leadership, Character, Honor, and Service as the foundation for success in life.

The program's focus on order, precision, self-discipline, respect for authority, ethical behavior, patriotism, service, and citizenship is designed to prepare students for success in life, regardless of their future plans.

The Middle School Journey

Denial- “This Can’t be happening”. Anger- “Why me? It’s not fair!” Bargaining – “If you do your

homework, than we will get you a new phone.”

Depression- “What’s the point?” Acceptance- “I can’t fight it, I may as

well prepare for it.”

Belmont Ridge Middle School

2011 Governor’s School of Excellence

2010 Governor’s School of Excellence

2009 Governor’s School of Excellence

2008 Governor’s School of Excellence

2009-2012 National School To Watch 2009 School/Business Partner Award

Winner

Motivated… Dedicated…

Educated…