Middle School

Grades 6-8 focus on deepening content knowledge while helping learners navigate adolescence.

Learners engage in more rigorous academics, explore new interests through electives and extracurriculars, and build the skills needed to think critically, communicate effectively, and collaborate meaningfully.

Below you’ll find documents that outline the key units taught throughout the school year in middle school. These overviews provide a high-level snapshot of the instructional sequence for each grade level. Each unit, module, or topic is linked to a more detailed unit plan, which includes the standards, essential content, and instructional focus. While the site is accessible to all stakeholders, some linked resources, such as assessments or copyrighted instructional materials, may only be accessible to staff.

Year-at-a-Glance

English Language Arts

The middle school English Language Arts (ELA) journey is structured around essential questions that challenge learners to explore universal themes, develop sophisticated literacy skills, and produce a variety of performance-based assessments. This curriculum uses a blend of whole group learning texts, genre studies, and varied performance tasks, moving learners through high quality supported learning that progresses from direct instruction to independent application, committing students to demonstrating mastery across different writing and speaking/listening modes.

In middle school English Language Arts, we utilize the board-adopted Savvas myPerspectives as our core curricular resource for instruction and learning that aligns to the Colorado Academic Standards.

Learn about Savvas myPerspectives

View the Middle School English Language Arts Curriculum

Mathematics

In middle school, math learning builds steadily toward algebra by focusing on ratios and proportional reasoning, operations with rational numbers, and expressions and equations. Learners also deepen understanding of geometry, statistics, and functions, preparing them for advanced problem-solving and high school mathematics

In middle school math, we use the core resource HMH Into Math. HMH Into Math is a comprehensive 6-8 mathematics curriculum that promotes conceptual understanding and procedural skills through collaborative student-centered learning, integrated assessments, and personalized support.

Learn about HMH: Into mathematics

View the Middle School Math Curriculum

Science

Middle school science empowers learners to investigate real-world phenomena by taking on the roles of scientists and engineers. Through evidence-based reasoning, hands on simulations, and collaborative problem-solving, learners deepen their understanding of complex systems in life, physical, and Earth sciences.

In middle school science, we use Amplify Science as core curricular resources to support hands-on, phenomena-driven learning aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.

Learn about Amplify Science

View the Middle School Science Curriculum

Social Studies

Middle school social studies empowers learners to investigate how people, places, and systems shape our world. Through analysis of geography, cultures, governments, economic structures, historical developments, and personal financial literacy, students build evidence-based reasoning, deepen their understanding of global and local contexts, and make meaningful connections to their own lives. Units are aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards and supported by shared common assessments that strengthen critical thinking and ensure consistent learning across D51.

Instruction is supported by the board-adopted McGraw Hill Voices and Perspectives Colorado and The DBQ Project, which provide robust resources aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards.

Learn about McGraw Hill Voices and Perspectives Colorado Learn About The DBQ Project

View the Middle School Social Studies Curriculum