8th Grade Course Offerings

We currently have three mathematics options for 8th-grade students, with open enrollment for all three courses.. The base curriculum for all three courses is the NYS Algebra 1 curriculum. All 8th-grade students will take the NYS 8th-grade math assessment. Additionally, students in Enriched Algebra and Algebra 8 are required to take the Algebra Regents in June. 

Enriched Algebra

Enriched Algebra is a fast-paced, rigorous Algebra course designed for strong math students who seek an additional challenge. This course has the NYS Algebra 1 curriculum as its base and will culminate in the Algebra 1 Regents exam in June. In addition to the NYS Algebra 1 learning standards, students will learn various Math 8 grade-level content standards and engage in a deep study of additional topics and rigorous problem-solving. Upon successful completion of this course, students will earn one high school mathematics credit. A student’s final average in this course will appear on their official high school transcript but will not be included in the high school cumulative GPA.

Algebra 8

Algebra 8 is a Regents-level Algebra course that develops foundational Algebra skills. This course will be taught in a differentiated way to challenge high-readiness students while also supporting students to whom math may not come as easily. In addition to the NYS Algebra 1 curriculum, students will learn various Math 8 grade-level content standards. Upon successful completion of this course, students will earn one high school mathematics credit. A student’s final average in this course will appear on their official high school transcript but will not be included in the high school cumulative GPA.

Extended Algebra

Extended Algebra is the first year of a two-year Algebra 1 experience. In addition to NYS Algebra 1 learning standards, students will learn various Math 8 grade-level content standards. This course moves more slowly and focuses on foundational skill-building to make algebra concepts more accessible. Students in this course will take the Algebra 1 Regents exam, a HS graduation requirement, after completing a second year of algebra in 9th grade. 

Recommendation Note

Due to the differentiated approach, and our commitment to inclusive learning environments, we will not recommend that students enroll in Extended Algebra. Parents and caregivers can, however, opt their students into this course. 

There are two science options for 8th-grade students, with open enrollment for both courses. The District recommends that all students enroll in Life Science: Biology in 8th grade. Life Science: Biology is a high school course required for graduation, and earning this credit in middle school will open up additional opportunities for students in high school science. 

Life Science: Biology

Life Science: Biology is a Regents-level course (previously named Living Environment) that includes, but is not limited to, the significant themes and elements of the NYS life science curriculum. Students will engage with authentic, hands-on scientific and engineering experiences, called lab investigations, that count towards the minimum 1200 minutes of laboratory experience* and are necessary to take the Regents exam. This course will be taught in a differentiated way to challenge high-readiness students while also supporting students who may struggle. Upon successful completion of this course, students will earn one high school life science credit. A student’s final average in this course will appear on their official high school transcript but will not be included in the high school cumulative GPA. Students will take the Life Science: Biology Regents in June. Students are exempt from the NYS Science 8 exam. 

*Lab Requirement: New York State requires every biology student to complete 20 hours of laboratory work - that’s 1,200 minutes of lab time. NYSED also requires mandatory state-written labs. Students must complete all required labs AND the 1,200 minutes of documented lab time to take the Life Science: Biology Regents Exam.

Science 8

Science 8 offers an integrative approach to physical, Earth, and life sciences for eighth-grade students, aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the New York State Science Learning Standards. It aims to deepen students' understanding of scientific concepts through a curriculum that emphasizes scientific inquiry, engineering practices, and the relevance of science in the real world. The course content includes contact forces, sound waves, forces and distances, natural selection and ancestry, genetics, and a unit on the earth in space. All Science 8 students will take the Science 8 exam. All Science 8 students will take Regents Life Science: Biology in high school. 

Recommendation Note

Due to the differentiated approach, and our commitment to inclusive learning environments, we will not recommend that students enroll in Science 8. Parents and caregivers can however opt their students into this course. 

Eighth-grade students have three world language options: French, Latin, and Spanish. Each course is a two-year program spanning 7th and 8th grade. To earn one high school credit, students must complete both years, achieve a passing grade, and pass the Checkpoint A World Language exam. After the successful completion of the course and exam, the course is recorded on the student’s high school transcript as a Pass but will not be included in the high school cumulative GPA.

French 8

French 8 students build foundational skills by actively engaging in basic interpretive tasks (listening and reading comprehension), interpersonal exchanges (simple conversations), and presentational tasks (speaking and writing on familiar topics) in the target language. They practice using simple expressions and phrases related to everyday topics while immersing themselves in the cultures of the Francophone world. Through interactive activities and cultural exploration, students develop global awareness and set a strong foundation for advanced language study.

Latin 8

Latin 8 students build foundational skills by actively engaging in interpretive tasks (listening and reading comprehension). Students are continuing to grow an extensive vocabulary of Latin words to read stories set in the Roman empire, through which students will understand language patterns and deduce meaning within context. Vocabulary work stresses word building in both English and Latin with prefixes, suffixes, and derivatives. Roman daily life, Roman history and social activities, Rome’s influence on modern western culture, and Roman and Greek mythology are also examined. 

Spanish 8

Spanish 8 students build foundational skills by actively engaging in basic interpretive tasks (listening and reading comprehension), interpersonal exchanges (simple conversations), and presentational tasks (speaking and writing on familiar topics) in the target language. They practice using simple expressions and phrases related to everyday topics while immersing themselves in the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Through interactive activities and cultural exploration, students develop global awareness and set a strong foundation for advanced language study.