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Middle School Catalog

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Looking for Available Classes?

The Middle School Course Catalog appears first on this page and contains information about available courses, descriptions, and prerequisites.

Looking for High School Course Information?

Information specifically for middle school students wishing to take high school classes can be found below the course catalog. Please continue scrolling for guidance about eligibility, prerequisites, transcript implications, GPA information, and course recommendations.

⬇ Continue scrolling below the catalog for middle school high school course guidance.

Course Planning Guidance

Middle School Students Taking High School Classes

Middle school students may take some high school courses when they have completed all required prerequisites and the course is appropriate for their academic plan, readiness, and maturity.

Course availability varies. Review the High School Course Catalog and work with the student’s building counselor before registering.

Quick Rules

  • All prerequisites must be completed before a student begins a high school course.
  • Students may use one or both middle school elective slots for eligible high school courses.
  • Students should consider the course workload, reading level, content, independence, and maturity required.
  • Math follows a separate acceleration pathway. Students may complete no more than one year of math during a semester. For example, Algebra 1A and Algebra 1B may be completed during the same semester when appropriate.

How the Course Affects the Student’s Record

High School Credit

The student earns high school credit after successfully completing the course.

High School Transcript

The course, credit earned, and letter grade will appear on the student’s high school transcript.

AAPS High School GPA

The letter grade will not be calculated into the student’s AAPS cumulative high school GPA.

College GPA calculations: Some colleges and universities may recalculate GPA using all courses and grades listed on the transcript, including high school courses completed during middle school.

High School Science

  • Biology A: Students must have completed 8th Grade Science.
  • Earth Science A/HSS: Students must have completed 8th Grade Science.
  • Chemistry 1: Students must have completed 7th Grade Science.
  • Physics 1: Students must have completed Semester 1 of 8th Grade Science.
  • Forensic Science: May be taken by students who are mature enough for the course content and expectations.
  • Oceanography and other science electives: Courses without prerequisites may be available to middle school students.

Additional elective science options may be found at MiCourses.org.

High School Social Studies

  • World History: Students must have completed Social Studies 6 and Social Studies 7.
  • Social Studies electives: Courses without prerequisites may be taken by students who are mature enough to handle the reading, discussion, and subject matter.

Families should review course descriptions carefully because some electives may include mature historical, legal, or social content.

High School English Electives

  • Students must complete all English coursework through and including ELA 8A and ELA 8B.
  • After completing those courses, students may take some high school English electives that do not list an additional prerequisite.

Other High School Electives

Middle school students may take a high school non-essential elective when the course does not:

  • have a prerequisite, or
  • specifically fulfill a required high school graduation category.

Possible examples include some computer courses, Criminology, Archaeology, and other electives listed through MiCourses.org.

Health and Personal Fitness Cannot Be Taken During Middle School

High School Health and High School Personal Fitness are not available to students while they are still in middle school.

The earliest these courses may be taken is during the summer between 8th and 9th grade.

High School World Languages

  • Any high school world language may be taken by a middle school student.
  • Students in 6th or 7th grade, or students beginning a new language in 8th grade, should generally begin with Level 1.
  • A student who has lived in a bilingual environment that included meaningful reading and writing experience may be ready to begin with Level 2.

Families should review the middle school world language guidance explaining the differences between the middle school and high school language-learning experiences before selecting a course.

Questions About Placement or Prerequisites?

Contact the student’s school counselor. Your building counselor can help verify prerequisites, course fit, and placement.