Opportunities for Academic Recovery
The Middle School Student Opportunity for Academic Recovery, SOAR, Program is designed for students who are over the traditional middle school age because of retention, truancy, or other challenges. The goal of the program is to provide academic recovery in the form of a pathway for students to complete middle school and transition to high school.
MS SOAR began with a pilot of its 7th grade courses in Spring 2019. It currently includes SOAR 6, a one-year program, and SOAR 7 and 8, both half-year programs. Over 100 students have been enrolled in the MS SOAR program, with a number of those students graduating from PALCS.
Mission Statement
Through an accelerated schedule and content-blended, project-based courses, SOAR students will acquire the knowledge and skills needed in the real world; set personal and professional goals; become critical thinkers and problem solvers; close learning gaps and successfully transition to high school.
Vision
SOAR students will feel empowered to take ownership of their education, overcome obstacles, and make a plan for success in school and life.
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Benefits
Accelerated Courses
SOAR courses are designed to help students shorten their Middle School experience by up to one year, making up for lost time due to past retentions, before transitioning to high school.
Dedicated Team
The SOAR Program Coordinator and Teachers meet and collaborate regularly as a team to help students and their families, both in the classroom and beyond.
Structured Schedule
SOAR Students meet with classmates and teachers in Zoom daily for Morning Meeting, Virtual Lesson, and Study Hall sessions.
Personal Approach
The SOAR Team aims to provide a positive school experience and support for students families, through regular progress meetings, in-person events, and home visits when needed.
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Courses
Courses
SOAR 6
SOAR 6 is a full-year program for eligible grade 6 students. Students are enrolled in two content-blended courses – Math/Science and Language Arts/Social Studies. Program requirements include daily Morning Meetings and Virtual Lessons, with instruction delivered in a small-group, synchronous format. Students who successfully complete SOAR 6 are eligible to enroll in SOAR 7/8 during their grade 7 school year.SOAR 7/8
SOAR courses for grades 7 and 8 differ from traditional PALCS courses. Each grade level will be completed in half a school year, accelerating the transition to high school. Content areas for grades 7 and 8 will be blended together: English language arts and social studies both taught in one Canvas course, and math and science both taught in another Canvas course. While foundational skills and concepts of each content area will be taught in separate lessons or modules, thematic units and projects will use a cross-curricular approach, combining content from multiple disciplines.Students in grade 7 have the option to complete SOAR 7 in the fall, and SOAR 8 in the Spring (OR complete SOAR 7 in the Spring, and SOAR 8 in the following Fall semester, with the goal of beginning high school courses in the Spring of their grade 8 year).
Students in grade 8 complete SOAR 8 in the fall and begin high school courses in the Spring of their grade 8 year.
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Eligibility
The Middle School Student Opportunity for Academic Recovery, SOAR, Program is designed for students who are over the traditional middle school age because of retention, truancy, or other challenges. The goal of the program is to provide academic recovery in the form of a pathway for students to complete middle school and transition to high school.
SOAR Eligibility
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Project-Based Learning
SOAR courses will utilize Project-Based Learning (PBL), an engaging, student-centered approach that allows students to gain knowledge through exploration and investigation of real-world problems.
Students will:
- learn content according to grade-level PA Core Standards and Assessment Anchors;
- review foundational skills and concepts in each content area;
- apply skills and knowledge through the development of personalized projects that are student-driven, inquiry-based, and relevant.
Project topics/themes may include, but are not limited to:
- career exploration and planning for the future
- self-improvement and personal goal-setting
- diversity and global awareness
- environmental/conservation issues
- invention/product development
- civic duty and involvement
- social justice
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Enrollment
The Middle School SOAR Program will be available to students in grades 6, 7, and 8 in the 2024-2025 school year, with new sessions beginning in both fall and spring.
Currently enrolled students who are eligible based on age/retention history will be contacted about enrollment mid-summer.
Both of the following forms must be completed to begin the enrollment process:
Student Enrollment Form – Students complete this and may have an adult assist them
Parent Enrollment Form – Completed by the student’s primary Learning Coach/Parent/Guardian
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Amy Sarno
SOAR Program Coordinator
877-725-2785 ext. 1260
asarno@palcs.org -
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the Middle School SOAR Program
Will my student automatically be enrolled in SOAR if they qualify/have previous retentions?
No. All eligible students must apply to be enrolled into the SOAR program. They must also meet with the SOAR Program Coordinator, along with their parent or home facilitator, for an interview and discussion to determine if SOAR is a good fit.Are SOAR courses separate from other grade-level courses?
YES. Students enrolled in SOAR courses are enrolled in SOAR courses ONLY – they do not take the regular grade-level PALCS Middle School ELA, Math, Social Studies or Science courses.Can SOAR students take electives?
SOAR students are typically advised to only focus on core SOAR courses (as well as any required electives, like Health and Career Awareness courses). Students who finished their most recent school year in good standing/with passing grades may be permitted to enroll in electives.Is Virtual Lesson attendance required in the SOAR program?
YES. SOAR students are expected to attend daily Morning Meeting, Virtual Lesson, and Study Hall sessions – up to 3 hours in Zoom per day.
Failure to attend the majority of required live sessions (facilitated in Zoom) may result in a failing grade or even removal from the SOAR program.What if SOAR isn’t working out and my student wants to return to regular classes?
Parents and Students can request to withdrawal from the program at any time; such decisions should be made in coordination with the SOAR Program Coordinator, the student’s Guidance Counselor, and the Middle School Principal.What happens after my student completes the Middle School SOAR Program?
Students who complete SOAR 8 during the Fall semester in good standing/with passing grades will move on to enroll in grade 9 courses in the Spring semester, to begin earning high school credit. Students who complete SOAR 8 during the Spring semester in good standing/with passing grades will move on to high school courses the following Fall.Students who fail to meet program requirements and do not complete their SOAR courses may return to regular grade-level courses the following semester or school year.
