Falcon Middle School Academic Departments

  • We're one family with a rich tradition of caring for all student needs. We're one community of learners dedicated to challenging ourselves to grow and discover. We are one for excellence.
     

    We will rise to a new level of excellence by enhancing student achievement, promoting the Firebird Spirit, and collaborating effectively.

     
    In an effort to provide a variety of learning opportunities to our students and to ensure all students are being taught at the highest level, we're restructure our curriculum to focus on specific areas, skills, and/or learning styles. Teachers will develop curriculum that teaches the state standards in a way that reaches the needs of our diverse learners. The pacing and planning of curriculum components is determined by the school and zone curriculum leadership team based upon relevant, timely student data. The school leadership team will develop curriculum based around the following areas:
    1. Colorado Academic Standards and Common Core Standards 
    2. Backwards-Lesson Design
    3. Data Driven Instruction
    4. Variety of Authentic Assessments
    5. Student Goal Setting
    6. Technology Literacy
    7. Response to Intervention 
    We at Falcon Middle School are developing and maintaining a system of instruction that holds all students accountable to the highest academic standards. We are committed to providing the appropriate academic and social supports in order to ensure all students reach these standards, and encourage all students to participate in opportunities for learning enrichment. This instructional system is supported by an assessment system which promotes academic success for our students. Teachers, students and parents have a clear understanding of each student’s strengths and weaknesses so that this information can be used to promote growth and provide remediation where needed to ensure student success.

    In order to achieve our innovation goal, Falcon Middle School requested a waiver granting control over the following areas:
    • Curriculum adoption
    • Curriculum development
    • Instructional resources and materials selection and adoption
    • Curriculum review
    • Basic instructional programs
    • Textbook selection and adoption

Falcon Zone Graduation Requirements

  • Policy IKF specifies that graduation from District 49 must be based on demonstrated mastery of Colorado Academic Standards. One method of demonstrating mastery is successful completion of a sequence of courses. In the traditional model of earning credits toward graduation, each course is associated with an academic content area as well as a number of credits earned. The following table establishes the baseline expectations for credit-based demonstration of mastery toward high school graduation. In this model, one credit denotes the successful mastery of content that has traditionally been incorporated in a full year of study. Credit is awarded on a semester basis only and requires a passing grade of "D" or higher.

    A class of 2017 diploma shall be awarded to Falcon Zone students who earn the following credits by the end of the 2016-2017 school year:
     
    Content Area Credits
    English 4.0
    Social Studies
    		 3.0
    Science 3.0
    Mathematics (at high school) 3.0
    Practical Arts or Foreign Language
    		 2.0
    Fine Arts
    		 1.0
    Physical Education
    		 1.0
    Health
    		 0.5 
    Elective Credits
    		 7.5
    Total:  25.0
     
    As stated in BOE policy IKF-R, "Graduation Requirements, Courses and Credits," Falcon Zone graduates who meet the following requirements will earn a college endorsement:
     
    Content Area Credits
    English
    *American Literature and English Literature required 
    		 4.0
    Social Studies 4.0
    Science
    *Chemistry required
    		 4.0
    Mathematics
    *Geometry and Algebra II required
    		 4.0
    Foreign Language
    *Two years of the same language required
    		 2.0
    Fine Arts
    		 1.0
    Physical Education
    		 1.0
    Health
    		 0.5 
    Elective Credits
    		 6.0
    Total:
    		26.5
     

Section I: Instruction

  • IB Academic Freedom

    The Board seeks to educate young people in the democratic tradition, to foster recognition of individual freedom and social responsibility, and to inspire a meaningful awareness of and respect for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

    Comments (-1)

  • ICA School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

    Prior to the end of the school year, preferably by the February regular meeting, the Board of Education shall adopt a calendar for the following school year. The calendar shall specify the days during which district schools shall be in session, the days on which the district will close in observation of federal holidays, and the dates of major breaks.

    Comments (-1)

  • ICA-R School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

    The following criteria apply to the District 49 School Family Calendar and should be used when calculating instructional time:

    Comments (-1)

  • IE Organization of Instruction

    The Board of Education shall provide elementary and secondary education extending from kindergarten through grade 12.

    Comments (-1)

  • IG Curriculum Development

    The Board of Education is required by state law to determine the educational programs delivered in the schools of the district. Curriculum shall be aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards to ensure that each student is provided the educational experiences needed to achieve or exceed grade-level standards or complete the requirements and goals as listed on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

    Comments (-1)

  • IHACA Law-Related Education

    The Board of Education recognizes the importance of a law-related education program to enhance student awareness about the law, the legal system, and the fundamental principles and values upon which our constitutional democracy is based.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHAK Character Education

    The Board of Education believes that while parents are the primary and most important moral educators of their children, the school and community should reinforce parental efforts.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHAL Religion in the Curriculum

    Informed by the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution, which specifies that congress will make no law respecting the establishment of religion, public entities should neither promote nor disparage any religion.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHAM Health and Family Life/Sex Education

    The Board believes a comprehensive health education program is an integral part of each student's education. The health education program should emphasize the functioning and proper care of the human body and encourage the development of lifelong, positive health habits. In addition, it should inform students about potential physical and mental health hazards they are likely to encounter in various life situations and help them make sound, intelligent decisions when they are confronted with choices that could affect their health or that of others.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHAM-R Health and Family Life/Sex Education (Exemption Procedure)

    Exemption will be granted from a specific portion of the health education curriculum on the grounds that the material taught is contrary to the religious beliefs and teachings or closely held personal beliefs of the student or of the student’s parent/guardian. If the request for the exemption is from a specific portion of the health education curriculum that concerns human sexuality, no reason must be given by the parent/guardian when requesting the exemption.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHAMA Teaching about Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

    In accordance with state and federal law, the district shall provide age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate drug and alcohol education and prevention programs from early childhood (preschool) through grade twelve (12).

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBA -R Special Education Programs for Handicapped/Disabled/Exceptional Students

    These regulations specify the conditions and procedures under which the District shall address the needs of handicapped, disabled, and exceptional students.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBA Special Education Programs for Handicapped/Disabled/Exceptional Students

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBB Gifted Education

    The Board of Education is dedicated to providing comprehensive programming for the identification and education of gifted students. Gifted students are those students between the ages of four (4) and twenty-one (21) whose abilities, talents and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. The Board believes that a quality instructional program that differentiates curriculum and instruction is essential so all students can learn and grow to their level of potential.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBEA English Language Learner

    In keeping with the intention of the state of Colorado to offer educational opportunities to those children whose dominant language is other than English, the district shall provide suitable research-based language instructional programs for all identified English language learners in grades kindergarten through 12 in accordance with the requirements of state and federal statutes, Colorado State Board of Education rules and the Colorado Department of Education guidance.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBF Homebound Instruction

    The purpose of homebound instruction is to maintain continuity in the educational process for those students who, because of a temporary extended illness or condition, cannot attend school.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBG Home Schooling

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBIB Primary/Preprimary Education

    The District shall establish and maintain a kindergarten program or programs. A kindergarten program may be a half-day or full-day program, and the District shall receive state funding for students enrolled in these programs on a half-day or full- day basis, in accordance with state law. For the 2005-2006 school year and each school year thereafter, a child must be five (5) years of age by September 15 to be eligible for enrollment in any kindergarten program, unless the child is otherwise enrolled in the program pursuant to applicable law. In the Sand Creek Innovation Zone elementary schools, for the 2012-2013 school year and each school year thereafter, a child must be five (5) years of age by August 15 to be eligible for enrollment in any kindergarten program, unless the child is otherwise enrolled in the program pursuant to applicable law.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBIB-R Primary/Preprimary Education

    The following criteria have been established for the admission of students to the District's preschools:

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBK Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

    The Board believes that to decrease student dropout rates, increase graduation rates and encourage all students to reach their learning potential, it is important to support students in planning for postsecondary and workforce opportunities throughout their education. To promote students’ postsecondary and workforce success and in accordance with state law, the district shall provide the following opportunities and information.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHBK-R Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success

    Implementation Plan for Student Individual Career and Academic Plans

    Comments (-1)

  • IHCDA Concurrent Enrollment

    The Board believes that students who wish to pursue postsecondary level work while in high school should be permitted to do so in accordance with this policy and accompanying graduation requirements for successful completion of approved postsecondary courses offered by institutions of higher education.

    Comments (-1)

  • IHCDA-R-1 Concurrent Enrollment

    Comments (-1)

  • IHCDA-R-2 ASCENT (Accelerating Students Through Concurrent Enrollment)

    ASCENT is concurrent enrollment that extends the opportunity for postsecondary enrollment one year beyond the 12th grade year for qualified applicants.

    Comments (-1)

  • IIB Class Size

    The Board is aware that class size has bearing upon effective teaching. It therefore directs the Chief Education Officer to work with principals in establishing a reasonable and equitable class enrollment for each teacher.

    Comments (-1)
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