Middle School

Middle School Pathways and Advanced Courses

In PLSAS middle schools, students experience both advanced coursework and pathways that promote challenge, depth, and engagement across all core subjects.

Advanced Courses
Students in English, Science, and Social Studies have opportunities to enroll in advanced-level classes designed to deepen understanding, strengthen inquiry, and encourage academic discourse. These courses emphasize analysis, creativity, and connection-making aligned to the Minnesota Academic Standards.

Math Pathways

• Grades 6–7: Instruction emphasizes conceptual understanding, reasoning, and problem-solving. Students explore multiple strategies and make meaningful connections across topics. Teachers design tasks that invite all students to engage at their level of readiness and stretch toward higher levels of thinking.
• Grade 8: Students are recommended for either Math 8 or Algebra 1 based on readiness. Recommendations are informed by multiple measures — classroom performance, formative assessments, and teacher feedback.

• Families and students ultimately choose the level of challenge that best fits their learning goals and readiness, in collaboration with teachers and counselors.

• Both courses emphasize reasoning, application, and depth of understanding to prepare students for success in high school mathematics.

While math pathways are the most formalized structure, PLSAS is committed to increasing academic excellence in all areas — continually exploring ways to strengthen rigor, engagement, and opportunities for advanced learning in every classroom.