Rising 7th Grade Course Selection Information (Current 6th Graders)
Rising 7th Grade
Starting on January 28, 2025, parents/guardians and students will be able to view their teacher recommendations for core courses for next year (Math, Science, English, and History) in Parent/StudentVue. You will see an "H" next to ALL the Science, English, and History recommendations. The classes at HPMS are heterogeneous, meaning students of all ability levels are together. Utilizing personalized learning and differentiated instruction, teachers will be able to deliver the material to all students no matter their ability level.
Math follows a progression which is typically: Math 6 to Math 7, Math 7 to Pre-Algebra or Algebra-teacher recommendations will determine which math course your student should take.
If you have questions or concerns about a particular teacher recommendation, please contact that teacher directly to discuss.
Mr. Demorest and Mrs. Harper will be in Resource/Spectrum/Music classes on Friday, January 31, 2025 to walk the students through their Course Planner in SchooLinks. Course Planner is where they will input their choices for electives. Students have to submit their plans by February 28, 2025. During the entire month of February, School Counselors will be meeting with students individually to finalize their Course Planners. Should a change be needed after School Counselors approve the plan, just reach out to Mr. Demo or Mrs. Harper to request a change.
FINAL DATE TO REQUEST COURSE CHANGES: MAY 2, 2025
Informational Opportunities
There will be a virtual Course Planner Information session for families on January 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. This is hosted by folks at the district level, not by Harper Park staff. Link for Info Session
There will be a Rising 7th and 8th Grade Parent Coffee about the course selection process on January 13, 2025 at 9am in the HPMS Library. The video and slides will be posted here once that has occurred.
Course Planner Resources:
How to Review Your Students Course Plan English
How to Review Your Students Course Plan Spanish
How to Make Changes to Courses and Resubmit Course Plan Until February 28
**After February 28, to request a course change please contact your child's counselor
All 7th grade students must choose one half-block elective from the courses listed below:
(If you click on the underlined links, you will see a video description. There is also a video of all of the electives put together at the bottom of the list.)
Art 7 - An option for any 7th grader
Band 7 - Students who took Band in 6th grade are able to take Band in 7th grade
Strings 7 - Students who took Strings in 6th grade are able to take Strings in 7th grade
Guitar 7 - A beginning guitar class for any interested 7th grader
Chorus 7 - An option for any 7th grader
For strings and band, students must have taken Strings 6 or Band 6 or have had an equivalent instrumental experience.
All 7th grade students must choose one full-block elective from the following courses:
Communication Studies - A great option for 7th graders who are not yet ready for a high school credit World Language class.
A world language class:
Latin-we were unable to offer Latin at HPMS for the 24/25 School Year due to low enrollment. Our ability to offer it next year will be dependent on demand.
Spanish for Fluent Speakers -This course requires an assessment by our Spanish teachers.
French, German, Latin, Spanish and Spanish for Fluent Speakers are all High School Credit Bearing Courses. The grade and credit will remain on a student's transcript and will be factored into their high school GPA.
Intro to Computer Science - Any 7th or 8th grader can take this course. It would be in place of a World Language Course for a 7th grader.
Course description: Introduction to Computer Science is the first standalone computer science course in the LCPS Program of Studies. Students will primarily utilize block-based programming to develop projects in order to think creatively, communicate clearly, use technologies fluently, and collaborate effectively. Students will study the history of computers and computer science, with a focus on the impact of Virginians, in addition to building additional programming skills within the framework of computer science principles. Students will explore and create computer programs, facilitate reasoning and problem-solving, and verify solutions with computer science tools that facilitate design, analysis, and implementation of computer programs.
Computer Science Foundations - Any 7th or 8th grader can take this course. It would replace taking a World Language for a 7th grader.
Course description: The Computer Science Foundations course provides students with an introduction to text-based programming with a goal of familiarizing students in developing and executing computer programs. Students will be introduced to several text-based programming languages with an emphasis on computer programming within the context of broader concepts of computer science. Languages include but are not limited to HTML, Python, JavaScript, and Java.
This VIDEO has current Computer Science students explaining what they like about the classes.
This VIDEO gives a simple explanation of the difference between the Intro to Computer Science and the Computer Science Foundations classes, which can help you decide which one is right for you.
Here is a FLYER about the middle school Computer Science classes.
View details about all courses offered in LCPS in the 2025-2026 Program of Studies
****All students should choose an alternate elective in case they cannot get their first choice****