The mission of the Valley Central School Counseling Program is to empower all students to learn and achieve their highest potential. School counselors advocate for students; provide counseling; and consult/coordinate with parents, teachers, administrators, and community members to ensure students are lifelong learners and productive members of society. The counseling program is data-driven, results-based, and aligned with the American School Counselors Association national standards.
Parent Involvement is crucial at the middle school level.
Moving from elementary to middle school is an adjustment for students and parents alike. There are usually more teachers to get to know, a more complicated schedule to understand, and kids can be embarrassed about parent involvement. But these changes are no reason for parents to stop working with the school. It’s just as important as ever for parents to stay involved. Here are ways to do this:
- Meeting your child’s teachers. Introduce yourself as soon as possible instead of waiting until problems arise.
- Get to know guidance counselors. They usually know all the kids in the school, and they can keep you up-to-date on your child’s performance.
- Read about the school. At the beginning of the year, schools often give parents information about rules and curriculum. If you didn’t receive these materials ask for them.
- Keep track of your child’s progress in school. If grades slip, contact teachers for help.
- Attend parent-teacher conferences. Request meetings with teachers at other times, if you feel the need.
- Introduce yourself to other parents. Talk with them about the problems you share.
- Respond to e-mails and other correspondence from the school. If you have trouble with English, ask the school for help with translation. Or ask a bilingual friend or relative to assist you.
- Review your child’s school record yearly. Use Parent Portal to assist you in doing this.
Course Offerings
Valley Central Middle School schedules students according to the NYS Education Department prescription for Middle School education. Descriptions of courses are by academic department.
The 2022-2023 VCMS Course Description PDF is available here.
Elective Offerings
Electives are offered to our Grade 7 and Grade 8 students to encourage them to use all available time in the schedule in classes rather than in study hall. Find our elective course offerings here.
Team Teaching
Teacher teams allow teachers the opportunity to support their students better academically and socially. We look at teams as a “school within a school”. Teacher teams consist of teachers from ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science and Special Education and have regular meetings to discuss how they can best support students.
Accelerated/Advanced Course Opportunities
In an effort to challenge and meet individual students’ academic needs, Valley Central School District offers accelerated classes in the following subjects: Science (7-10), and Math (7-10) and advanced classes in ELA or English (7-12) and Social Studies (7-12). Accelerated classes in the areas of Math, Science, World Language and Art are offered in middle school and have the potential to result in high school credits. Collegiate and AP level courses are offered in 11th and 12th grade in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, Business, Art, Music, and Fashion. Entrance to Accelerated/Advanced Classes begins in middle school and is based on academic achievement, assessment scores, and, depending upon the subject, universal screening scores. Continuation in Accelerated/Advanced Classes through high school requires evidence of mastery in the subject during the prior year, as well as a recommendation from the teacher.
It is the Valley Central School District’s goal to give each and every child the opportunity to reach his or her highest academic potential. At the successful completion of our advanced/ accelerated program students may earn a high school credit and the opportunity to take advanced courses as a freshman.
Acceptance in these courses requires a high average, a good work ethic as well as teacher recommendation. If a student wishes to take an advanced or accelerated course, even though he or she may not necessarily have the overall average to qualify, we will consider the opportunity on a trial basis.
We do give parents the opportunity to challenge a student not being recommended for the advanced and/or accelerated program. After a review, outlining the potential impacts (pros and cons) of the student’s academic career, a decision will be made on whether or not to move them into the program on a trial basis.
If you have any questions or if you are interested in this opportunity please reach out to your child’s guidance counselor for more information.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
There are a variety of Activities available to Middle School students. Intramurals are available to 6th grade students, 7th and 8th grade students can participate in modified or JV/Varsity sport teams.