Royal Spring Middle School

Honors Criteria for 2008-2009

Language Arts 6, 7, 8

Below are the requirements for a 6^th, 7^th, or 8^th grade student to be accepted into Honors Language Arts at Royal Spring Middle School.  If you have any desire to be in the Honor’s Class, please read this entire note, as there is a self-select option for those students who might not meet other criteria.  Also, all rising 7^th and 8^th Honors Language Arts candidates must do the Summer Assignment. (The Summer Assignment is highly recommended, but optional for incoming 6^th graders.) 

• Gifted and Talented students already identified in Language Arts or General Intellect qualify - if other criteria support this placement.
• We will consider exiting Language Arts test scores.
• You should have a 90% average in Reading and/or Language Arts.
• You should score at 90% or higher on placement test, if given.
• Teacher recommendation will be considered.
• You must complete the summer assignment, with a good faith effort,to be turned in to RSMS by July 30 (rising 7^th and 8^th graders only). 
• The student and parent/guardian will sign a contract after school starts stating that you understand the challenging class expectations.
• The student must have a Proficient or higher on his/her Writing Portfolio, if applicable.
  Ideally the student will maintain a B average in the Honor’s class.  If he/she falls below that level, the parent/guardian will be notified.  If students cannot keep up with the rigors of the class, upon consultation with Shannon Gullett, the Language Arts teacher, and the parents, the student may be placed in a regular Language Arts class.
• Borderline students will be admitted based on a decision of the Language Arts department, and class availability.
• Modified Self-Select Option:  If there is a student who does not meet all the above requirements, but who has a deep desire to be in the Honor’s class, upon consultation with the parent/guardian, and if there is room in the class, we will try to admit that student.  Their admittance, however, will be conditional based on the student’s ability to do the work at an A or B level