Middle School

Semester-long course

Middle School Art II is a visual arts course for grades 7-8. This continued visual arts course is designed to allow students to continue to build their skills and knowledge from Art I. Students can dive deeper into more advanced art processes and materials. Students will participate in more in-depth discussions on art history and social and cultural influences on artistic movements/styles and make presentations on learning. Art movements and styles students may learn about include but are not limited to Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstraction, 20th-century Photography and Sculpture, Contemporary Art, and Post-Modern Architecture.

Prerequisite: Art 1

Year-long course

This elective is a year-long class designed to provide students with an enriching and diverse instrumental music education by performing music of various genres and periods. No music experience is necessary to join this class. Students must provide their own brass or woodwind instrument and needed supplies. There will be at least two formal, required concerts each year. The class will focus on the following…

• How to read and perform music notes
• Care and maintenance of the instrument.
• Fundamental techniques of tone production.
• Expressive aspects of performance, such as dynamics, articulation, and phrasing.
• Fundamental rhythms.
• Concert band literature is in various styles and with various difficulties.
• Development of technique through scales and arpeggios
• Performance etiquette

Meet our band teacher! CLICK HERE

Year-long course

This elective is a whole-year class designed to expand upon all the skills learned in the beginning band at a more advanced level. To be in the advanced band, students must have completed the black belt level in the beginning band OR must audition for the director and show that they are at the proper skill level.  Students must provide their own brass or woodwind instrument and needed supplies. There will be at least two formal, required concerts a year with the aim of at least one informal performance every month (assemblies, small concerts in the band room). The class will focus on the following…

• Advanced techniques of tone production.
• Expressive aspects of performance, such as dynamics, articulation, and phrasing.
• Fundamental rhythms.
• Concert band literature is in various styles and with various difficulties.
• Development of technique through scales and arpeggios, specifically the learning and performance of all 12 major scales
• Performance etiquette

This class can be taken for multiple years. Students will build upon what they have learned. Students will be given differentiated instruction and playing tests to challenge and motivate them.

Meet our band teacher! CLICK HERE

Year-long course

This elective is a whole-year after-school club that will focus on jazz music and improvisation. Students must be in the Advanced Band to participate in this club; instrumentation may be limited.

Semester-long course

Choir I is beginning Middle School Choir. It will comprise the majority of 6th graders and those in upper grades who did not have a chance to take Choir I in 6th grade and desire to advance in the choir. In Choir I, students will learn the basics of the choir: reading note names and rhythms, understanding melodic intervals, singing solfege syllables, learning how to properly breathe from our diaphragm, singing with tall vowels, and more. We will focus on implementing music theory and technique skills into the music we sing, and by the end of the semester, students will be able to sing in harmony with one another. They will put on a holiday concert in December and a spring concert in May to showcase their skills.

Year-long course

Choir II is an intermediate choir comprised of most 7th and 8th-grade students who have taken and passed Choir I. In Choir II, students will build on the skills they learned in Choir I, learning songs with more advanced rhythms and intricate harmonies, perfecting musical intervals, and expanding on their music theory and ear training. Students will take these skills and implement them into the music we sing. By the end of the semester, students will be able to sing in more advanced harmony with one another, holding firm to their vocal parts. They will put on a holiday concert in December and a spring concert in May to showcase their skills.

Prerequisite: Choir 1

Semester-long course

From ancient civilizations to modern movements, students will trace the development of architecture across different cultures and periods, analyzing iconic structures and creating their models throughout the course.

Semester-long course

Home Economics will include a kitchen unit, a sewing unit, and several DIY projects.  Our kitchen unit will cover food and kitchen safety, measuring, and several recipes.  The sewing unit will touch on measuring, hand stitching, sewing machine parts, and usage.  DIY may include tie dye, tie blankets, or a holiday-themed project.

Semester-long course

Martial Arts is an ancient discipline focusing on Self-Discipline, Self-Defense, and Character Development. Many nations throughout history have adopted martial arts into their schools’ youth programs to discipline and teach respect. In this program, students will learn the keys to being successful throughout their lives, as well as the skills necessary to defend themselves and live a peaceful life.

Semester-long course

This class will continue developing the student’s martial arts and self-defense skills. It will also move the student into more challenging roles involving higher-level techniques and teaching the basics of leadership and training others. Students in this class will be given opportunities to lead small groups of students under supervision. Students in this program will be expected to be an example to others in attitude, effort, and understanding.

Prerequisite: Martial Arts 1

Semester-long course

Physical Education will provide cognitive context and instruction to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors for physical activity and physical fitness. This class will focus on introducing students to a variety of individual sports and recreational activities and teaching them various forms of exercise.  

Semester-long course

Emphasis on Science. Students will use the scientific method to learn more about researching and analyzing questions in all science branches. They will investigate common scientific claims, replicate experiments, and report findings. Students’ final project will be to develop a scientific question they want to investigate, design and conduct their experiment, and present their findings like a real scientist.

Semester-long course

Emphasis on Engineering and Math. Students will solve real-world math and engineering problems using practical application methods. Math will come to life as students use hands-on methods to solve word problems. Students will learn and apply engineering principles to create structures that resist various external forces. Students’ final project will be to design and build a scale solar home model.

Semester-long course

Student Government is designed to develop quality student leaders and foster a positive school atmosphere by setting an example to others and helping NSCA create a caring and accepting community.  Student Government is in charge of planning and orchestrating events. Students will actively learn leadership and life skills through service learning, group work, and the planning/facilitating of various school and community activities.  A strong commitment and ability to follow through is a must. 

Year-long course

Students will work on creating the New Summit Charter Academy yearbook. Students will learn the basics of camera usage and photography while taking photos of events throughout the school. Basic principles of yearbook production, such as layout and page design, will be taught. Students must use the cameras, computers, and yearbook software appropriately. There will be an emphasis on staying organized, working as a team, and meeting deadlines. After the yearbook is completed, students will work on project-based assignments.