An agenda for a new program of studies will be set in motion for 5th-8th graders in La Porte this upcoming school year. The vision will transform Kesling Middle School into Kesling Intermediate Campus where two intermediate schools will be connected under one roof. The 5th- and 6th- graders will be combined under the existing Kesling Middle School, while 7th- and 8th-graders will be under a newly-constructed academic wing.
“The building is phenomenal. They are opening up new spaces for innovation labs, where students can get creative. The new additions include all the state of the art bells and whistles,” said Erin Parker, teacher at La Porte High School.
“About a year ago feasibility studies were conducted to students and community members about educational incentives for an intermediate middle school. The La Porte school systems believed it could be a good fit,” Parker said. “Intermediate style entails advanced, detailed, and specialized alternatives to “regular” electives.”
The program encourages a seamless approach for students entering new levels in the school system, and eventually the career field. For the first time in La Porte, a plethora of career-focused exploratory electives will be offered to students early in their educational journey. The agenda hopes to efficiently prepare students for what they would like to pursue before entering high school.
The schedule will incorporate an eight-hour day compared to a regular seven-hour day to provide extra time for additional opportunities.
Based on data collected from student testing, students will be directed into three separate groups: those who are below the state level expectation, those who meet it, and those who are above it. These groups will determine how much time will be spent on electives and core courses. Those under the state level will spend more time in labs to study and catch up. For them, classes such as reading and language will be separated, compared to those who meet or are above the state level, where the two are combined.
Students have the opportunity to level up to incorporate more electives within their school day. Such electives include Intro to Agriculture Food and Resources, where students can explore the environment through various experiences like maintaining a garden, going on nature walks, or making maple syrup from scratch. The school has applied for a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte for a new greenhouse to support the elective.
“These experiences that you and I were never able to have in middle school are now available to every student now,” Parker said.
For the first time 7th and 8th graders will be able to take a foreign language and are able to attain a high school language credit alongside it. Learning a second language earlier is encouraged for long-term memory of the language itself.
Art classes will be more advanced and specialized toward various styles. Some styles include 2D/3D platforms, mixed media where students combine various materials, digital design such as Photoshop, and incorporating drawing tablets for convenience.
Home economics will have an improved spin,diving into more personal dilemmas or struggles such as diseases or finances, and brainstorming how to manage possible outcomes. They will also dip their toes into meal planning and interior design.
Automation and robotics will be offered to those interested in advanced engineering, working with mechanical and automated systems. Students can opt for computer sciences for innovators and makers, where they will create and program a website from scratch. This leads into digital citizenship, where students work professionally with social media and discuss social struggles on the web.
Students interested in medicine and healthcare can take the medical detectives elective where they will study the human body, explore dissection, and do in-depth case studies.
Performing arts students involved in choir, band, or orchestra will be in session every day of the week compared to every other day. This means students will have more time to explore music history and take on learning new instruments such as piano or guitar.
For a rendering of the Intermediate Kesling Campus, pictures of the progress, and FAQs click here (https://lpcscprojects.blogspot.com/).