Westfield Middle School places all students into classroom settings where they are academically challenged but not penalized due to differences in overall academic progress. Students will be required to meet basic criteria for promotion. Middle school students would always prefer to be in classes with their friends, however, the administration does not entertain requests for class changes based on social or teacher requests.

CLASSES
Westfield Middle School operates on an 8 period day. Students attend core classes (language arts and literature, math, science, and social studies) everyday, all year. Students participate in a 7 week rotation moving through the Exploratory Programs in Art, Communications, Drama, Writers Workshop and Music. 8th grade students can elect to take full year Spanish I. All students participate in the daily PE/Wellness Program.

FEES / FINES AND OBLIGATIONS
Students who have outstanding fees, encumbered fines, missing or damaged books (including rebinding fees) or other obligations, will be ineligible to participate in events, dances, activities, ceremonies, and field trips that occur during the year, celebrations and year-end activities.

INSPECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Parents or guardians of any student may inspect any instructional materials used in schools. Those materials include textbooks, teacher’s manuals, films and tapes. Call the principal's office for an appointment if you wish to view any of these items.

ORGANIZATION AND STUDY SKILLS
Students are required to carry and use a plan book to keep track of assignments and upcoming tests and events. Teachers allow time in class for students to copy assignments into their planner. We encourage parents to require their student to bring the plan book home nightly to keep informed about student assignments. The school provides the first plan book each year; students must pay to replace lost or damaged plan books.

OTHER RELATED PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS
All students receive training in library skills and computer research searches. Additionally, all students are trained in word processing and related computer skills.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS
During the school day, students who qualify are assigned to receive assistance from our Resource teachers, Speech Therapist, Supportive Reading Instructor, Social Worker, Counselor, or Band teacher. In addition, Response to Intervention (RtI) support will be provided for some students. RtI is a process which includes the provision of systematic, research-based instruction and interventions to struggling learners. RtI is designed as an early intervention to support long term academic success. Students may miss regular class time to receive any of these services. Parents and/or students may initiate their own requests for Counseling or Social Work services.

GRADING SYSTEM
The grading system is as follows:
100-90 = A = 4 points
89-80 = B = 3 points
79-70 = C = 2 points
69-60 = D = 1 point
59- 0 = F = 0 points

At the end of each grading period, the school calculates each student's grade point average (GPA). The school converts each letter grade into the number of points, adds the total points from all grades earned, and divides the total points earned by the total number of grades. If the student has a grade point average of:

4.000 – 3.8 student has earned HIGHEST HONORS
3.799 – 3.5 student has earned HIGH HONORS
3.499 – 3.2 student has earned HONORS
1.999 – 1.5 student is on ACADEMIC WARNING
1.499 – 0 student is on ACADEMIC PROBATION

HONOR ROLL
HIGHEST, HIGH AND HONORS: At the end of each grading period, students will be recognized with an award at the Honor Roll Assemblies, with the exception of fourth quarter. All honor roll students have their names published and hung in the main hallway. Students who make the honor roll in the 4th quarter are encouraged to stop in the office in August to pick up their respective honor roll level award.

ACADEMIC WARNING AND ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students on academic warning or probation are placed in a special monitoring program which also includes counseling, and weekly reports until they raise their grade point average to 1.5 or better. Students on probation lose their opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities and sports while they are on probation.

REPORTING ACADEMIC PROGRESS TO PARENTS
Progress Reports are mailed to parents and/or guardians in the fourth week of each quarter. Report Cards are mailed to parents and/or guardians approximately one week after the end of each quarter.

GRADUATION
Students must have a GPA of 1.50 to be promoted to high school. Those students below 1.50 will be required to attend a Lake Park High School summer bridge program to earn promotion. To attend and participate in graduation ceremonies, students need a GPA of 1.50 or higher and be in good standing with regards to the Code of Conduct to earn the privilege to participate in the commencement ceremonies and end of the year celebration activities.

RETENTION
Decisions regarding retention and promotion are made on an individual basis. A student with a GPA of 1.49 or below may be offered a provisional promotion and monitored closely the following school year to ensure their school progress and academic success.