Middle school math won’t be the same going forward. There are going to be two separate classes divided by grade, Math 7 and Math 6.
“[The change was made] to better meet the needs of our students to allow us to really focus on some core skills in sixth grade while still providing challenge for the sixth and seventh graders,” math department chair Christina Zembruski said.
Starting next year there will be more of a focus on rational numbers for sixth graders and a focus on the applications for the seventh graders separately.

Sixth graders will have two entry-class options. Math 6 focuses on an understanding of rational numbers and builds an understanding that can be expanded on in Math 7. In Math 6A, students will build on that understanding and will go on to be prepared for Algebra 1 in seventh grade.
In the current middle school curriculum, sixth graders are expected to have a grasp of basic mathematical operations with integers, decimals, fractions and variables. Seventh graders are expected to know all of that, along with having a better understanding of the operations.
“[There are] higher level problems that we expect the sixth graders to try, but we want the seventh graders to do more than just try-to do it well,” middle school math teacher Anne Romeo said.
Sixth grader Huck Branner believes that having different viewpoints on the math that is done in class helps students expand on their knowledge.
“I like it because we get to learn more advanced topics, not just sixth grade topics, but seventh grade topics,” Branner said.
It can also helpful for the sixth grade students to see what the seventh graders are doing
“Sometimes it helps seventh graders because when seventh graders explain to the sixth graders, when you explain it to someone else, you learn it better,” Romeo said.
Single grade classes help students to spend more time with their friends, especially entering sixth grade, when you don’t know others as well.
“I think some students will enjoy it more, with just being able to be with their peers,” Zembruski said.