Academics

Middle School – Le Collège

Welcome to Middle School

The middle school encompasses sixth through ninth grade. In middle school students reinforce the knowledge and skills already developed in elementary school. They are faced with more challenging topics, concepts, and ideas.

Subjects are taught by different teachers and students periodically change classrooms according to their schedules. Proper organization of school work and time management is paramount in maintaining good study habits at this level.

Middle school teachers follow the curriculum of the French Ministry of Education, instruction is given in both English and French. Instruction is delivered in French (55% per week) and in English (45% per week).

During middle school, students begin an in-depth learning exploration through courses taught by a team of teachers, each specialized in one or more subjects. Our expert teachers collaborate across classrooms and subjects to coordinate their lessons in creative ways. Students are challenged to demonstrate knowledge and encouraged to explore new ideas, solve problems, and analyze information. Time management skills and self-sufficient study habits are instilled throughout these grades to prepare students for greater autonomy and more challenging courses in high school.

6ème – 6^th grade

Welcome to 6^th Grade

Overview of Sixth Grade Learning Milestones

Sixth grade is a year of exciting progress in reading and language arts. The major milestones in sixth grade reading and language arts are:

• Fluent reading with a variety of literary genres
• Successful application of comprehension strategies
• Skillful composition development
• Using punctuation appropriately
• Ability to speak and listen proficiently

Sixth grade is also a year intense math skill development. Major milestones for sixth grade math include:

• Proficiency in the four basic math operations
• Competency with algebraic operations
• Applying geometry concepts to problem solving
• Development of complex graphing skills
• Use of functions and probability to make predictions

5ème – 7^th grade

Welcome to 7^th Grade

Overview of Seventh Grade Learning Milestones

Seventh grade is a year of highly visible progress in reading, writing, and language arts. By the end of seventh grade, students should:

• Develop complex writing skills
• Constructively critique their own and other’s writing
• Apply punctuation, grammar, and syntax skills
• Recognize and apply grade appropriate vocabulary
• Read with fluency, with focus on comprehension

Seventh grade is also a year of visible math skill development. By the end of seventh grade math, students should:

• Have a solid understanding of algebraic principles
• Be able to graph and solve linear equations
• Understand and apply basic concepts of geometry
• Be able to apply math to everyday activities

4ème – 8^th grade

Welcome to 8^th Grade

Overview of Eighth Grade Learning Milestones

Eighth grade is a year of highly visible progress in reading, writing and language arts. By the end of eighth grade language arts, students should:

• Develop age appropriate writing skills
• Accurately apply punctuation, grammar, and syntax skills
• Develop complex grade appropriate vocabulary
• Read with fluency while applying comprehension strategies

Eighth grade is also a year of visible math skill development. By the end of eighth grade math, students should:

• Accurately apply ratio, proportion, and percent
• Have a solid understanding of algebraic principles
• Understand beginning concepts of geometry
• Be able to apply data and statistics to everyday situations

3ème – 9^th grade

Welcome to 9^th Grade

Ninth grade is the last year in Middle School. Grades are used in determining a student’s GPA and become part of a student’s official transcript. Future employers or colleges may want to see steady improvement in grades and a good attendance record on the official transcript. Therefore, students obtain much more control of their education and may even choose their core classes.

Ninth graders are referred to as freshmen.

In the mathematics curriculum, eighth graders are usually taught Algebra I. Advanced courses (such as Geometry in the US) are usually available to ninth graders who are prepared for a more rigorous curriculum, depending on the school district. In some cases, the upcoming ninth graders may have taken Algebra I in 7th, and Geometry in 8th, therefore in 9th grade, they take Algebra II. Some districts across the country allow their 9th graders to take Trigonometry or AP Statistics, or even Calculus if the district provides.

In the English curriculum, ninth graders are taught the basic fundamentals of Literature and touches the fundamentals of speech and debate. They may also read Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare as it correlates with current teenage life and issues.

In the social studies curriculum, ninth graders are typically taught geography, government, and history. In most areas, students are open to taking more advanced history courses like world history or U.S. history with the consent of the pupil’s previous social studies teacher.

In the science curriculum, ninth grade students are required, in most areas, to take earth science. It is often a pre-requisite for most other lab sciences available at the high school level, and is often a requirement for graduation. In some cases, the upcoming ninth grader maybe choose to take the tenth grade course, Biology I.

INSTRUCTION

Our curriculum is thought-through, incremental and structured. We follow the requirements of the French Ministry of Education, a curriculum which has a proven track record, and the Texas Essentials Knowledge and Skills and the Texas essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do. The LIH program focuses on students’ needs. Our context-based educational strategies are further optimized once we tailor them to your child’s unique profile. As a result, each LIH student develops their knowledge and skills to their highest potential. Our teachers use the latest developments in the fields of cognitive science, neurology, and linguistics to adapt their teachings for each child.

The LIH middle school curriculum is structured in a cross-disciplinary way. For example, humanities include literature, language studies, history, geography, civics and ethics; scientific studies include math, physics, chemistry, technology, natural and life sciences. Language instruction includes English and Spanish. Art includes visual arts and music. Our physical and sports education programs follow the requirements of the French Ministry of Education.

TESTS AND DIPLOMAS

We prepare students to succeed at U.S. standardized testing. We also prepare our students for the French « Brevet » diploma (Diplôme de Brevet des collèges) at the end of ninth grade. In addition to the French Baccalauréat diploma, Baccalauréat Franco-Américain diploma or the International Baccalaureate

STUDENT : TEACHER RATIO

In order to maintain a calm, positive, and supportive learning environment, our classes each seat a maximum of 15 students.

TEACHERS

Our teachers have the real-world experience needed to offer personalized attention to each student. Each teacher has experience working within international bilingual or multilingual programs.