Middle School Academics

BMS Honors Science 

Grades 6-8 at Bluffs Midde School are organized into teams in which four teachers assume joint responsibility for the instructional program for the team of students. This organization offers advantages for students, teachers and parents. As a team, teachers are better able to address students' needs, and parents will find communication with and among teachers to be easier. Teacher teams prove invaluable in assisting students as they make the academic and social transition between elementary school and high school. All students at Bluffs Middle School have a daily reading class with a team teacher in addition to other core academics.

Review middle school learning guides

Core Curriculum

Math

All Bluffs Middle School students engage in a three-year course of study that integrates Nebraska Math Standards and mathematical practices. Teachers provide a mathematics program, which strives to ensure that every student meets grade level benchmarks and is challenged at his or her appropriate level. Curriculum in middle school mathematics develops basic skills, conceptual understanding and problem solving.

Reading

All Bluffs Middle School students engage in a three-year course of study that integrates Nebraska Reading standards. Through the program students will study short stories, mythology, nonfiction, drama, and poetry and other forms of literature.

Language Arts

All Bluffs Middle School students engage in a three-year course of study of Language Arts that integrates Nebraska content standards. The focus of the program is ensuring all students become proficient writers.

Science

The middle school science program continues with the Science Fusion program that begins in the elementary grades. The program builds inquiry and skills through digital curriculum and hands-on science activities.

6th Grade Science Topics

  • Ecology and the Environment
  • The Dynamic Earth
  • Sound and Light
  • Introduction to Science and Technology

7th Grade Science Topics

  • The Diversity of Living Things
  • Earth's Water and Atmosphere
  • Matter and Energy

8th Grade Science Topics

  • Cells and Heredity
  • The Human Body
  • Space Science
  • Motion, Forces, and Energy

Social Studies

Bluffs Middle School students participate in three years of social studies courses aligned to Nebraska State Social Studies Standards. The program is designed to help students help students understand the people, places, ideas, and events that have shaped our state, nation, and world.

Grade Requirements

For Bluffs Middle School, progress reports are issued at the end of each nine week grading period with a report card issued at the end of each semester. A student's middle school grades can be reviewed on the district's online parent portal.

In all classes student grades are weighted so that 70% of a student's grade is based on student performance on assessments and 30% of a student's grade is based on student performance on daily work assignments.

Exploratory Classes

Orchestra In addition to core classes, Bluffs Middle School students have the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of exploratory classes such as Art, Vocal and Instrumental Music including Band, Guitar and Orchestra, Computers, Food and Nutrition, Chinese Language and Culture and World Languages.