Middle School Offerings Expand

Middle school electives, enrichment, and support classes greatly expanded beginning next school year

Walla Walla Public Schools is focused on expanding learning opportunities at both middle schools by adding new class and program enhancements beginning next school year, including World Language Spanish and competitive boys and girls soccer. Students in grades 6 to 8 will have twice the number of elective opportunities currently offered, according to Superintendent Wade Smith.

“These new class and program enhancements will help ensure a more engaging, challenging, and stimulating middle school experience,” said Smith. “Our students are counting on us to provide them opportunities for growth and success as we work collaboratively to realize a vision of Developing Washington’s most sought-after graduates.”   

The following list is a brief review of new and exciting programs that are under consideration at both Garrison and Pioneer Middle Schools for the 2017-18 school year:

• All 6-8th grade students will have twice the number of elective opportunities as before. This will permit students to explore their passions with increased access to fine arts, challenge their learning and critical thinking with additional rigorous exploratory classes, and discover new fields of interest in disciplines such as coding and technical education.
• Spanish world language will be offered for the first time, allowing all students interested in mastering a foreign language a head start in middle school. This early start, with the possibility of earning high school credit, will provide students an opportunity to earn the “Seal of Biliteracy” when graduating from WaHi.
• For those students who participated in dual programming during their elementary years, an opportunity to continue their comprehensive dual language programming at both middle schools through Spanish literacy.
• For students identified as highly capable, additional opportunities and unique learning experiences to support their skills and competencies.
• The current array of advanced and honors classes will continue to be offered students to ensure stimulating curriculum is available to challenge student learners.
• Additional targeted courses will be developed to offer strategic support for students who may need additional time and instruction to ensure they are prepared for the rigorous work of high school.
• Competitive middle school soccer and other enhancements to our athletic programs to expose more students to co-curricular programming.