Information & Reference
Definitions
CORE COURSE
Courses required (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) for all students.
COURSE
A unit of instruction.
ELECTIVES
Courses that students choose based on interest. Some elective options are semester-long courses and some elective options are full-year courses.
FALL SEMESTER
The first and second nine-week term of the school year (18 weeks).
SPRING SEMESTER
The third and fourth nine-week term of the school year (18 weeks).
GRADING SCALE
More information regarding grading procedures can be found at acs-k12.org.
A-100-90 B-89-80 C-79-70 D-69-60 F-59-0
HONORS/ADVANCED CLASS
Honors courses are designed to prepare students to take Honors/Advanced Placement (AP) courses in HS as well as Dual Enrollment, which allow students to complete college-level studies while in high school. Enrollment in an honors course requires careful consideration and input from multiple criteria and a variety of data sources, including, but not limited to reading and writing ability, ACAP reading and Math Scores, teacher recommendation, approval of a guidance counselor, and parental input.
PARENT PORTAL AND STUDENT ACCOUNTS
PowerSchool is the Student Information System (database) used by Athens City Schools. Parents and students use PowerSchool to access grades throughout the year. Parents and students will receive information regarding accessing student records online at the beginning of the school year.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
To provide the greatest probability for students to receive requested courses, students are given an opportunity to review the AMS Curriculum Catalog and complete a Student Registration Form. From there, a master schedule is constructed and teachers are hired to ensure that what was requested would be received. Knowing that not every course request can be honored due to conflicts in the student’s schedule, the following procedure provides the greatest potential for requests to be honored. Student registration forms indicate a commitment to completion of the course requested. All 6th, 7th and 8th Grade students will take math, science, social science, English, and one semester of PE each year. Once a schedule is assigned students commit to course completion as defined in the student schedule. Schedule changes should be requested prior to the first day of school. The principal may approve course changes due to extenuating circumstances.
SCHEDULE CORRECTIONS
Schedule corrections will be made and only when approved by the following criteria: duplication of courses, courses out of sequence, or Sports PE/Band, etc. to be entered due to auditions.
SCHOOLOGY
Schoology is an online Learning Management System (LMS) used by Athens City Schools to deliver course content to students in grades K-12. Athens Middle School uses Schoology for both traditional and remote classes as well as any eLearning days that are taken or required during the course of the school year. Learn more about Schoology at acs-k12.org.
PROBLEM SOLVING TEAM (PST)
The Problem Solving Team (PST) is a school-based problem-solving support group. Team members discuss issues related to the specific needs of students and offer teachers assistance in resolving problems. The team is composed of regular education teachers, administrators, counselors, and other individuals as needed. Outcomes of a team meeting may include curriculum strategies and intervention, alternative instructional strategies, behavioral management plans, crisis intervention, conflict resolution, conferences with interested parties, or referrals for additional evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW ARE GRADES REPORTED?
Grades are reported to parents and students in a variety of ways. Up-to-date grade information is available through PowerSchool. Additionally, report cards are sent home at the end of every 9-week grading term.
IS THERE A SUPPLY LIST?
A grade-level supply list will be released prior to the end of the school year so that parents will be able to purchase items prior to the first day of school. It will be available on the school website and in the local stores.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGULAR COURSES AND HONORS COURSES?
All courses in our core programs are based on the Alabama Standards. Honors Courses are designed to prepare students to take Honors/Advanced Placement (AP) courses in HS as well as Dual Enrollment, which allow students to complete college-level studies while in high school. Enrollment in an honors course requires careful consideration and input from multiple criteria and a variety of data sources, including, but not limited to reading and writing ability, ACAP reading and Math Scores, teacher recommendation, approval of a guidance counselor, and parental input.
ARE ALL STUDENTS REQUIRED TO TAKE P.E. IN MIDDLE SCHOOL?
Yes. Students are required to take at least one semester of P.E.
WHAT DETERMINES A STUDENT'S GRADE LEVEL?
Grade level is determined by the number of core classes successfully passed.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENT FAILES A CLASS?
For students who are not successful during the regular school year and must repeat a class, credit recovery may be a necessity in the Summer Session.