Middle School Course Placements
6th Grade to 7th Grade Transition Points
What is the process for 7th grade course placement decisions?
All Keith Valley students begin 6th grade in Math 6. Throughout the academic year, our mathematics department systematically collects and analyzes multiple data points to determine appropriate math placement for 7th grade. Students are placed in one of two pathways:
Math 7: An on-grade level mathematics course aligned with 7th grade standards
Math 7/8: An accelerated course that combines Math 7 and Math 8 concepts in one academic year, preparing students for Algebra I in 8th grade
Recommendation Criteria
Our placement recommendation process is designed to identify students who demonstrate mastery of Math 6 content standards, strong foundational number sense, algebraic thinking, and reasoning abilities. Algebraic thinking encompasses the capacity to recognize patterns, represent mathematical relationships, make generalizations, and analyze how mathematical concepts change and interact.
Our comprehensive evaluation includes multiple measures administered throughout the school year:
6th grade class academic performance data
Pre-Algebra Skills Inventory
Several performance-based tasks that evaluate algebraic reasoning
Standardized assessment results (as supporting data)
Letters are sent home to families over the summer which include an overview of each student's data and the recommended course placement.
What is the difference between Math 7 and Math 7/8?
Math 7 is a comprehensive course that addresses all 7th grade math standards at a standard instructional pace. This course focuses on developing a deeper understanding of key topics such as proportional relationships, operations with rational numbers, algebraic expressions and equations, geometry, and statistics. It supports students progressing at the expected grade level an builds the necessary skills for Math 8.
In contrast Math 7/8 is an accelerated course that integrates all the 7th grade standards and a significant portion of the 8th grade standards into a single academic year. As a result, students are expected to learn a larger volume of content, requiring a faster instructional pace and greater depth of understanding. In addition to the 7th grade topics, students in Math 7/8 explore advanced concepts such as linear equations, functions, the Pythagorean Theorem, and systems of equations—typically reserved for 8th grade.
Due to the compressed nature of the Math 7/8 curriculum, students are expected to have strong foundational skills, independent learning habits, and the ability to move quickly through material while maintaining conceptual understanding. This pathway prepares students for Algebra I in 8th grade, initiating advanced high school mathematics progression.
7th Grade to 8th Grade Transition Points
We understand that students develop their algebraic skills at different paces, and some students in the Math 7 course may show readiness for Algebra I by the end of their 7th grade year. When this happens, the 7th grade math teacher collaborates with our math specialist to identify students who may be ready to move to Algebra I in 8th grade. With parent consent, the specialist conducts additional assessments, which include two open-ended performance tasks, the IOWA Algebra Aptitude Test, and an interview task where students solve a problem on the whiteboard and explain their reasoning. The results of these assessments are communicated to families via a phone call from our math specialist.
Eligible students may advance directly to Algebra I, with the understanding that they are responsible for acquiring any Math 8 material not covered in the accelerated path. This expectation is communicated to families prior to the assessment process. Most students who qualify for Algebra I attend the district’s five-week summer math program to ensure they meet this requirement.