Course Descriptions
Courses at Robert Eagle Staff
Descriptions
Frequently Asked Questions
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School FAQs
Here are some answers to our most often-asked questions.
Q: When will my incoming student be able to choose their exploratory/elective classes?
A: In April when we receive our student names and information, we will send you a welcome letter with a course selection form. You can return this form by mail or in person. For students enrolled during the summer, course selection forms will be sent out in early August.
Q: What will my middle school schedule look like?
A: We have a 6-period day at Eagle Staff Middle School. All students are assigned to 4 year-long core classes: Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math. This leaves two periods for exploratory or elective classes. Exploratory or elective classes can be full-year or semester-long. All students will be assigned to a semester of Physical Education unless they are taking two year-long electives.
Q: What are the year-long elective classes?
A: All Band and Orchestra classes; world language classes; Empowerment classes.
Q: What are the semester-long exploratory classes?
A: Visual Art, STEM (technology), Journalism, Guitar, Percussion, Proyecto Saber, Creative Writing Ethnic Studies, Creative Writing. (check out course descriptions on our Eagle Staff website) 7th and 8th graders can also be a Teaching Assistant in a classroom or in the main office.
Q: Can my student choose to waive PE?
A: Physical Education is a required class, and we have the best PE department in the district! However, if your student is taking two full-year exploratory/elective classes, she/he/they will not be assigned PE. PE can be waived for a) religious reasons, b) health reasons, or c) with documented “directed athletics” (significant team sport participation). Families can apply for a PE waiver, and PE waiver forms will be available late fall in the main office.
Q: How do we enroll 6th grade students in the right Math class?
A: To ensure that all students receive instruction in the foundational K-8 math standards that lay the groundwork for algebra and higher-level math courses that students will take in high school, all students in Seattle Public Schools are enrolled in the next math course in the sequence based on their previous year’s math course enrollment. Please note that skipping over a course or taking a course independently is not an approved acceleration progression in SPS middle schools.
Additional information about math course sequence is posted on the SPS website
Visit the math department at SPS for more information about our courses
Q: How do we support students with IEPs? (Individualized Educational Plans)
A: We honor the spirit and vision of every student’s IEP. We read each one carefully to learn about student strengths, needs, and goals, and create a schedule with the best combination of support to meet those goals. We provide services in a continuum of large group, small group, and one-on-one settings, which could include: communication services, occupational therapy or physical therapy services, modifications and accommodations in a large class setting, services provided in a co-taught class, services provided in a study skills or social skills class, and/or services provided in a small-group academic class. Services will be based on the student’s identified IEP strengths, needs, and goals.
Q: How do we support students who are multi-lingual/ELL?
A: We honor the brilliance of our students who speak multiple languages! We provide supports in large classes with instructional assistants, as well as in smaller classes with more support in the student’s first language as needed.
Q: How do you support students identified as Highly Capable?
A: We align with other SPS Middle Schools that provide services for students identified as Highly Capable. Students receive their Highly Capable services in blended Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science classes. They have opportunities to deepen, extend, and accelerate their reading, writing, reasoning, and thinking, and our talented teachers will ensure that they are challenged and thriving. All students in Seattle Public Schools are enrolled in the next math course in the sequence based on their previous year’s math course enrollment. Please note that skipping over a course or taking a course independently is not an approved acceleration progression in SPS middle schools. Additional information about math course sequence is posted on the SPS website
Q: When is 6th Grade Orientation?
A: 6th Grade Orientation is usually the Thursday before the first day of school. Check our calendar for updated info.