What does HONORS look like at Mattson Middle School?

Language Arts / Mattson Middle School provides an Honors Language Arts course that is open to self-motivated and academically curious students. Students who select this course would expect to engage in higher-level thinking as well as being held accountable for work that involves more complex ideas and comparisons in literature.
Science / Honors classes participate in the same content learning as the general education science classes. However, honors classes operate at a faster pace and explore concepts in more depth and detail. The reading level of assignments is higher, and students are asked to do more projects and higher level thinking. Also, all 8th grade honors science students will be expected to participate in the district science fair.
Social Studies / In Honors Social Studies, students follow the same scope and sequence as general education classes, but are also engaged in deep historical inquiry through rigorous informational text analysis, project-based learning, and classroom activities. Students are expected to possess above grade level reading skills and exhibit heightened responsibility to learn independently and dig deeper into historical concepts.

From this point forward, any student that obtained a 400 or higher on the MSP may opt to take honors courses. We believe that all students who meet standard on the MSP are capable of finding success in rigorous courses and we want to be supportive of students’ and parent/guardians’ ability to make these types of educational decisions. Some important things that you need to know are:

  • If your student is currently in Honors or High Cap you need to be sure that s/he chooses Honors Language Arts during registration. Students WILL NOT be automatically rolled-up. Therefore if a current Honors or High Cap student registers for Core Language Arts we are going to assume that this was intentional. (We will send out information on how to check your student’s registration once it is complete.)
  • If your student has not previously been in Honors, but has attained a 400 on the Reading MSP s/he may now elect to take Honors courses.
  • Honors courses at Mattson are VERY rigorous and time intensive. Below is a descriptor of what is expected out of Honors students in the areas of Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Please be sure that your student is ready for this level of work BEFORE registering.