The honors programs in Marlboro Township Public Schools are needs-based programs designed for those students who, when compared to their chronological peers, possess or demonstrate exceptionally high levels of ability in one or more content areas. The programs provide additional and appropriate educational challenges and opportunities to meet the needs of these students. Placement is determined by multiple measures of the need for challenge beyond the regular curriculum. Criteria for placement in these programs may be found by clicking Placement Information (from the Placement Information page).

On the middle school level, the following programs are available:

• Honors Science (grades 6-8)
• Honors Social Studies (grades 6-8)
• Honors English Language Arts (grades 6-8)
• Creative Arts (grades 6-8)
• Select Band (grades 7-8)
• Select Choir (grades 7-8)
• Griffins Orchestra (grades 7-8)

 

GOALS OF THE HONORS CLASSES IN SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, & ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

For students who have satisfactorily demonstrated the need for challenge beyond the regular curriculum in science, social studies, and/or English language arts by meeting all MTPS placement criteria, the honors courses are designed:

• To challenge honors students with curriculum, research, projects, and activities beyond the rigors of the regular curriculum for their grade level.
• To provide an environment that encourages the development of existing critical thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, synthesis, and complex problem solving strategies.
• To provide an environment that encourages the often divergent thinking of honors students and supports the development of originality, fluency, flexibility, and elaboration.
• To develop each student's confidence in expressing their ideas in discussions, debates, presentations, and written work.
• To advance the process of inquiry through the application of critical and creative thinking skills in investigations of real-life problems; and through independent, self-directed study, research, or activities.
• To provide students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills through collaborative projects, small group tasks, and positive interpersonal interaction.
• To encourage a lifelong commitment to independent learning.

 

Program Descriptions of Honors Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts

The honors programs in science, social studies, and English language arts are self-contained classes that provide enrichment to the grade level curriculum by focusing on more rigorous expectations. Placement is determined by multiple measures of the need for challenge beyond the regular curriculum but all require demonstration of outstanding reasoning ability, knowledge, and writing skills in the specific content area(s). Students may be admitted to multiple honors courses.

If a student qualifies and parent(s)/guardian(s) choose not to have a child participate in the honors program, please note that parent(s)/guardian(s) may not opt to have a child moved to honors during the academic year. Similarly, if a student is withdrawn from an honors course, he or she cannot return to that placement during the same academic year. In both cases, students must requalify for placement beginning the following academic year.

The Science Honors Program

Students follow the approved curriculum for their grade level and learn what all other students learn, but at an accelerated pace. The honors students spend the time made available by the acceleration of the regular curriculum to engage in direct laboratory experience with emphasis on practical application of the scientific method as well as investigations of selected topics in greater depth and complexity.

The Social Studies Honors Program  

Students follow the approved curriculum for their grade level and learn what all other students learn, but at an accelerated pace. The honors students spend the time made available by the acceleration of the regular curriculum to engage in analysis of primary source materials as well as higher level thinking and investigations of selected topics in greater depth and complexity such as the cultural components of social studies issues.

The English Language Arts Honors Program  

Students follow the approved curriculum for their grade level and learn what all other students learn, but at an accelerated pace. The honors students spend the time made available by the acceleration of the regular curriculum to engage in investigations of selected topics in greater depth and complexity. Higher level thinking skills and creativity are called upon to study texts in a more sophisticated integration of reading, writing, listening, and speaking across a variety of literary and informational genres.

 

GOALS AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS OF CREATIVE VISUAL ARTS & MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

Creative Arts (Grades 6 through 8)

The Creative Arts program is a visual arts program for students who have demonstrated exceptional skills in creative ability and artistic expression. Eligibility for this program is determined by a performance assessment and/or a student portfolio. Students who are interested in the program sit for the in-school performance assessment towards the end of grade 5.

Students who qualify for the Creative Arts program will work for a full academic year and are required to attend meetings on two consecutive days out of each six-day cycle. The Creative Arts program takes the place of one of the student's related arts choices.

If a student who does not qualify for the program at that time remains interested in vying to participate, he or she may submit a portfolio of new work to their respective middle school creative arts teacher for evaluation at the end of grade 6 and/or grade 7 for consideration for the program in the following academic year.  

The Creative Arts program seeks to allow extraordinarily creative students to use art as a vehicle for engaging in problems-based activities. Experimentation and divergent or unique, higher level thinking is encouraged as a means to express innovative solutions to endeavors that focus students' efforts and experimentation with the objective of showing their work in a group exhibition.

Select Band (Grades 7 and 8)

The select band is an instrumental music program for students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and ability in musical performance. Eligibility for this program is determined by a performance assessment and teacher input. Exact assessment criteria will be determined by the director and will include things such as knowledge of scales, the ability to prepare a solo piece, sight-reading, and improvisation.  

If accepted, students will rehearse twice a cycle during school as well as during scheduled after-school rehearsals. Students who are chosen for the select band will become part of a tradition of excellence in performing both in concert and festival settings throughout the area.

Select Choir (Grades 7 and 8)

The Select Choir is a vocal music program for students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and ability in vocal performance. Eligibility for this program is determined by an audition before members of the vocal and instrumental faculty. Students who are accepted into the Select Choir must successfully demonstrate proper diction, rhythm, phrasing, tonal memory, and the ability to match and retain pitch through an a Capella selection.

If accepted, students rehearse twice a week during school and attend a weekly after school rehearsal. Students who are chosen for the Select Choir will become part of a tradition of excellence in performing, both in concert and festival settings throughout the area.

Griffins Orchestra (Grades 7 and 8)

The Griffins Orchestra is a combined Marlboro Middle School and Marlboro Memorial Middle School instrumental music program for students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and ability in musical performance. Eligibility for this program is determined by a performance assessment and teacher input.   

If accepted, students will rehearse twice a cycle during school as well as scheduled after-school rehearsals. Students who are chosen for the Griffins Orchestra will become part of a tradition of excellence in performing, both in concert and festival settings throughout the area.