Academics

Middle School

6th - 8th Grade

At The Weiss School, our specifically designed middle school program consists of gifted students enrolled in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The Weiss School Middle School focuses on the individual abilities of each students to grow as independent thinkers and learn creative ways to absorb, synthesize, and apply knowledge in hands-on projects and experiences.

The middle school curriculum encourages creativity, exploration, and interactivity as integral curriculum components to develop bright, gifted students. Teachers and students work collaboratively through cross curriculum projects that relies on the integration of academic subjects and related learning objectives. The use of technology is integrated throughout middle school in which each student receives a Macbook Air laptop on a daily basis in class and for home use to complete homework and academic assignments.

6th Grade

List of 4 items.

  • Language Arts

    Language Arts instruction helps students:
    • Promote reading and discussions of diversified literature
    • Promote literature through multiple intelligences using a variety of approaches 
    • Incorporate history reflective of the relevant cultural, historical, and social background
    • Research British literary time periods including the influences of the government and economics of the time
    • Elaborate on outlining along with building rough drafts and final drafts
  • Math

    Based on student mastery levels in math, the typical Weiss School 6th grade student will complete one of the following two math courses: Pre-Algebra or Algebra I Honors. Due to the unique nature of The Weiss School academic philosophy for gifted students, if students are academically advanced in math, they are able to accelerate to higher-level math courses beyond their typical grade-level math courses. 

    Pre-Algebra

    In the Pre-Algebra course, students:

    • Become adept at manipulating numbers and equations and understand general principles
    • Learn and use factoring of numerators, denominators, and the properties of exponents
    • Learn the Pythagorean Theorem and solve problems by computing the length of an unknown side
    • Learn how to compute the surface area and volume of basic three-dimensional objects by understanding how area and volume change with a change in scale
    • Make conversions between different units of measurement
    • Learn and use different representations of rational numbers including fractions, decimals, and percents and how to change at changing from one to another
    • Increase their aptitude in using ratio and proportion, compute percents of increase and decrease, and compute simple and compound interest
    • Graph linear functions and understand the idea of slope and its relation to ratio

    Algebra I Honors
     
    In the Algebra I Honors course, students: 

    • Develop an understanding of the symbolic language of mathematics and the sciences
    • Develop and use algebraic skills and concepts in a wide variety of problem-solving situations
    • Develop the ability to use and know simple aspects of a logical argument.
    • Use the properties of the number system to judge the validity of results
    • Develop the ability to justify each step of a procedure and prove or disprove statements
    • Master algebraic mechanics and understand the underlying theory by applying the concepts to real-world situations
    • Extend knowledge and understanding of the real number system and its properties through the study of variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and the analysis of data
    • Develop algebraic connections to arithmetic, geometry, and statistics.
    • Use graphing calculators to explore graphical, numerical, and symbolic relationships
    *Algebra I Honors is a high school course and students earn 1 high school credit following the successful completion of the course.
  • Science - Biology

    Science instruction in Biology helps students:
    • Learn the academic concepts of Biology
    • Use discovery and inquiry learning strategies by completing hands-on projects and answering real-world questions
    • Complete small and large science projects spanning different subjects and demonstrating how the world is connected across all subjects
    • Prepare to participate in the Palm Beach County Science Fair with innovative science projects
  • Social Studies

    Social Studies instruction helps students:
    • Learn the history of the by studying topics including pre-man and archeology, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, the Ancient Greeks, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and the Middle Ages
    • Explore and study a civilization's art and literature, the civilization's to Science and Math, and the impact on the formations of governments

7th Grade

List of 4 items.

  • Language Arts

    Language Arts instruction helps students:

    • Develop and implement skills in creating, evaluating, analyzing and applying their knowledge of literature and writing through a variety of means, including but not limited to speech, discussion, and technology
    • Explore chronological development of literature as they continue to learn the connections to history, culture, and social backgrounds
    • Develop expository and creative writing skills
    • Develop proficiency in grammar and writing mechanics
    • Research the French literary time periods including the influences of the government and economics of the time
  • Math

    Based on student mastery levels in math, the typical Weiss School 7th grade student will complete one of the following two math courses: Algebra I Honors or Geometry Honors. Due to the unique nature of The Weiss School academic philosophy for gifted students, if students are academically advanced in math, they are able to accelerate to higher-level math courses beyond their typical grade-level math courses. 

    Algebra I Honors
     
    In the Algebra I Honors course, students: 

    • Develop an understanding of the symbolic language of mathematics and the sciences
    • Develop and use algebraic skills and concepts in a wide variety of problem-solving situations
    • Develop the ability to use and know simple aspects of a logical argument.
    • Use the properties of the number system to judge the validity of results
    • Develop the ability to justify each step of a procedure and prove or disprove statements
    • Master algebraic mechanics and understand the underlying theory by applying the concepts to real-world situations
    • Extend knowledge and understanding of the real number system and its properties through the study of variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and the analysis of data
    • Develop algebraic connections to arithmetic, geometry, and statistics.
    • Use graphing calculators to explore graphical, numerical, and symbolic relationships
    *Algebra I Honors is a high school course and students earn 1 high school credit following the successful completion of the course.

    Geometry Honors

    In the Geometry Honors course, students:
     
    • Investigate properties of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, and solids using inductive and deductive reasoning
    • Learn how the properties and relationships are developed inductively and then verified deductively
    • Examine non-Euclidean geometries, formal logic, and use deductive proofs to verify theorems
    • Learn about vectors, transformations, algebra, and technologies and how they are used as tools to solve geometry problems
    **Geometry Honors is a high school course and students earn 1 high school credit following the successful completion of the course.
  • Science - Chemistry

    Science instruction in Chemistry helps students:

    • Learn the academic concepts of Chemistry including chemicals, the interactions of chemicals through laboratory experiments, and the observations of the impact chemistry has on society
    • Complete small and large science projects spanning different subjects and demonstrating how the world is connected across all subjects
    • Prepare to participate in the Palm Beach County Science Fair with innovative science projects
    • Interact with professional scientists in the surrounding community and professional scientists who live outside the community through distance learning technologies 
  • Social Studies

    Social Studies instruction helps students:

    • Study topics ranging from the Renaissance through the 20th Century
    • Utilize an online textbook and other technologies to research the culture and events of these historical periods
    • Complete project-based learning assignments

8th Grade

List of 4 items.

  • Language Arts

    Language Arts instruction helps students:

    • Develop the ability to ascertain and distinguish the elements of literature necessary to make articulate and thoughtful discussions
    • Research American literary time periods and focusing on the influences of the government and economics of the time
    • Demonstrate knowledge of presented material through cognitive and affective domain applications through higher order thinking, valuing, organizing, and internalizing skills
    • Read and analyze diverse literary genres
    • Interpret texts, literally and figuratively, to foster appreciation for literary techniques and style
    • Generate analytical essays that explore interpretations of literature and develop supporting effectual arguments
     
  • Math

    Based on student mastery levels in math, the typical Weiss School 8th grade student will complete one of the following two math courses: Geometry Honors or Algebra II. Due to the unique nature of The Weiss School academic philosophy for gifted students, if students are academically advanced in math, they are able to accelerate to higher-level math courses beyond their typical grade-level math courses. 

    Geometry Honors

    In the Geometry Honors course, students: 

    • Investigate properties of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, and solids using inductive and deductive reasoning
    • Learn how the properties and relationships are developed inductively and then verified deductively
    • Examine non-Euclidean geometries, formal logic, and use deductive proofs to verify theorems
    • Learn about vectors, transformations, algebra, and technologies and how they are used as tools to solve geometry problems
    *Geometry Honors is a high school course and students earn 1 high school credit following the successful completion of the course.

    Algebra II Honors

    In the Algebra II Honors course, students: 

    • Master algebraic mechanics, understand the underlying theory, and apply the concepts to real-world situations 
    • Learn advanced algebraic concepts through the study of functions, polynomials, rational expressions, complex numbers, matrices, exponential and logarithmic equations, infinite geometric sequences and series, permutations and combinations, and selected topics in discrete mathematics
    • Learn modeling, logic, and the results interpretation skills
    • Learn about the families of related graphs and how numerical, graphical, and algebraic solutions are considered for all problems
    • Use graphing calculators to explore graphical, numerical, and symbolic relationships

    *Algebra II Honors is a high school course and students earn 1 high school credit following the successful completion of the course.
     
  • Science - Physics

    Science instruction in Physics helps students:

    • Learn the academic concepts of Physics including physics and engineering, force and motion, projectile motion, collisions, work-power energy, building and engineering, and electricity and optics
    • Learn Physics concepts through inquiry learning, completing hands-on projects, and constructing answers to real-world questions
    • Complete small and large science projects spanning different subjects and demonstrating how the world is connected across all subjects
    • Prepare to participate in the Palm Beach County Science Fair with innovative science projects
    • Interact with professional scientists in the surrounding community and professional scientists who live outside the community through distance learning technologies 
  • Social Studies

    Social Studies instruction helps students:

    • Study the birth of the United States and the development as a nation by examining topics including the colonies in America, the Revolutionary Era, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Industrial Age, World War I, the Roaring 20’s and the Great Depression, and World War II
    • Study the art and literature of each time period and analyze how the events and people of the time contributed to the formation of our country
    • Complete project-based learning assignments
In a specifically designed and balanced curriculum, The Weiss School supplements core academic subject learning with a variety of elective courses that provide 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students with a comprehensive educational experience ideal for gifted students. Students receive instruction in the following elective classes each week (1-2 times per week based on the elective course): 

  • Science
  • Math 
  • Engineering
  • Technology
  • Communications
  • Visual Arts
  • Music
  • Performing Arts 
  • World Languages
  • Physical Education 
  • Tae Kwon Do 
  • Personal Development
  • Critical Thinking
  • Independent Study
A comprehensive list and description of all Middle School elective courses can be found here.


    • Woodshop elective

    • Presentations in American History

    • Using weight scales in Biology class

The Weiss School is a co-ed private school that serves gifted students in PreK-3 through 8th grade in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A Weiss School education prepares students to think analytically and creatively, act socially responsible, live vigorously, and create imaginatively in a warm and supportive educational environment.