We are so excited about meeting our newest members of Team Thunder! The documents below will help our rising 6th graders and their families navigate all that TSMS has to offer our students.

• Days of Thunder Flyer
• First Look Field Trip
• Parent Night Technology Presentation
• Parent Orientation
• Related Arts Course Selection

As you and your child prepare for Seventh Grade, these resources will help guide you as you consider Related Arts Courses as well as the best math placement for your rising 7th grader.

• Parent Night Technology Presentation
• Parent Orientation
• Related Arts Course Selection
• World Language

As you and your child prepare for Eighth Grade, these resources will help guide you as you consider Related Arts Courses as well as the best math placement for your rising 8th grader.

• Parent Night Technology Presentation
• Parent Orientation
• Related Arts Course Selection
• World Language

TSMS provides English Language Learner (ELL) instruction for students who qualify as English Learners. Federal and State laws, as well as WCS School Board policies, guide the purpose, structure and content of this program.

7th and 8th grade students may sign up for one of 2 Spanish programs. This is a high school credit course. The first option is Spanish A/B. In this model, students complete the 1st year high school Spanish course over two years beginning in 7th grade with 7A and completing 8B as 8th graders. 8th graders may also choose to take Spanish I Honors. In this course students complete high school Spanish I during their 8th grad year. Students also may sign up to take German as 8th graders. Students travel to Independence to take this course with other German I students.

Gifted and talented students are provided an array of activities that help them to accelerate their learning. Students may be placed in more advanced classes or given individualized or independent study programs as specified by their IEPs (Individual Educational Plan).

Students can earn high school credit for Algebra I, Geometry, Spanish I Honors, and German I Honors. Seventh grade students can also take a two-year Spanish class that will earn them Spanish I high school credit.

TSMS also offers a variety of Related Arts programs. The length of these classes varies; some are offered for a nine week period; others are offered for a semester or a year. Related Arts courses include band, choir, foreign language, general music, multimedia, orchestra, P.E., STEM, theatre, and visual arts.

Students with emotional disabilities and learning disabilities are offered individualized curriculum that has been identified to meet their specific needs. This is accomplished by working with students in small groups or individually or by their placement in classes where success is assured. For other learning challenged students, we offer full inclusion programs that keep diverse learners within the regular classroom grouping. Finding the least restrictive, most effective environment is our priority for these students. Classroom and special education teachers work together to prepare lessons that use multiple teaching techniques. This ensures skill mastery by all students regardless of their academic learning disability.