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7th Grade Math

There are two levels of math in seventh grade.  The differences between the levels are in some content, intensity, pacing, and approach.  Each student is placed in a course based on his or her sixth grade teacher's recommendation. There are no overrides for courses at Scarsdale Middle School.

Math 7-1 (one section):  Math 7-1 Curriculum Guide 

The Math 7-1 course completes the seventh grade curriculum and introduces some eighth grade curricula.

Math 7-2 (three sections):  Math 7-2 Curriculum Guide 
The Math 7-2 course completes the seventh grade and most eighth grade curricula

  • The year-end grade is comprised of 90% from the four marking period scores (22.5% each) with the remaining 10% coming from the final exam score.

  • Students were placed into their seventh grade math course by their sixth grade math teacher. There are no overrides for courses at Scarsdale Middle School. However, there was a placement test opportunity for sixth grade students who were placed into Math 7-1, but wished to be placed into Math 7-2. They were able to request a placement test provided they had a B or above average for the year. A score of 85% or higher on the placement exam is required to be placed into Math 7-2. The exam will be given in August by the middle school department chair.

  • It is possible for students to change levels, both up and down, during their seventh grade year. In general, a change in level should take place no later than one week after the distribution of the second marking period report card. Level changes during the third quarter are possible only if the student, parent, House Counselor, teacher and Math Department Chair have conferred prior to the start of the third quarter and have signed off on the extension. No level changes are possible in the fourth quarter without the written approval of the Principal.

    If level changes happen, the grading policy is as follows:

    • During marking period 1 – Only coursework completed in the new course will be used to compute the first marking period grade. All four marking periods and the final exam will be used to compute the student’s year-end grade
    • At the end of marking period 1 – The marking period 1 grade will be eliminated from the year-end calculation. Marking periods 2, 3 & 4 will count 30% each with the final exam counting 10%.
    • Any point during the second marking period or later - The teacher, House Counselor, and parent should confer and agree on a grading policy. Note - there really should not be movement during or after the second marking period.

  • Placements are made by the seventh grade teacher and shared with parents via Infinite Campus at the end of June. In each House, there is one section of Math 8-1, two sections of Math 8-2, and one section of Math 8-3. See the 8th Grade Math page for more information about each course.

    There are no overrides for courses at Scarsdale Middle School. However, there are two placement test opportunities for seventh grade students.

    • If a student is placed into Math 8-2, but wishes to be placed into Math 8-3, they may request a placement test provided they have an A- or above average for the year and score 90% or higher on the final exam. A score of 85% or higher on the placement exam is required to be placed into Math 8-3. The exam will be given in August by the middle school department chair. Please contact the seventh grade math teacher to discuss this option. A form requesting the placement exam must be received by July 15.
    • If a student is placed into Math 8-1, but wishes to be placed into Math 8-2, they may request a placement test provided they have a B+ or above average for the year and score 85% or higher on the final exam. A score of 85% or higher on the placement exam is required to be placed into Math 8-2. The exam will be given in August by the middle school department chair. Please contact the seventh grade math teacher to discuss this option. A form requesting the placement exam must be received by July 15.

    Scarsdale Middle School Math Department Course Flow Chart

    **Solid lines indicate a typical path.  Dashed lines indicate possible paths that usually occur with intermediate steps taken.

     

Opportunities for advancement in mathematics become an option for the truly exceptional student at the end of sixth grade. Students who wish to skip a year in math should begin this process by having a conversation with their math teacher. The student must have an average in the A range or above and exhibit appropriate classroom behavior and study habits to be successful in the higher grade course. Additionally, it is essential that the student has high executive functioning skills and is academically and emotionally mature. Skipping a grade level in math often comes with significant disruptions to a student’s schedule in both seventh and eighth grade, and students are in classrooms with their older peers. It is likely the student will take math in another house, and it is even possible this placement may necessitate a house change.

Assessments are given in August at the middle school for students wishing to skip seventh grade math and at the high school for students wishing to skip Algebra 1. No assessments to skip math will be given once the school year has started. Applications for these assessments can be obtained through the math teacher or house counselor. If successful, the student is placed into the highest level of the course offered (ex: Math 8-3 or 424). Students who successfully skip a grade level in math may not return to the previous course but may drop down a level if they find the coursework or schedule to be too challenging. It is also understood that the qualifying exam will not be shared, data for students will not be shared, and student results are final.

Sixth graders entering seventh grade:
Students who wish to skip seventh grade math must receive the recommendation of their sixth grade teacher to sit for the placement exam. All applications for the exam must be received by June 15. The exam has 25 questions and the student has 90 minutes to complete it with a calculator. A score of 85% or above must be achieved to skip seventh grade math. If successful, the student will be placed into Math 8-3 as a seventh grader.

Seventh graders entering eighth grade:
Students who wish to skip Algebra 1 must receive the recommendation of their seventh grade teacher and sit for the placement exam. All applications for the exam must be received by June 15. The student has two hours to complete the exam with a scientific calculator, not a graphing calculator. A score of 85% or above must be achieved to be placed into 424. If successful, the student must also sit for the Algebra 1 Regents exam as an eighth grader the following June at SMS.