Academics
Academics
Advanced Academics
Mission
The Grand Prairie ISD Advanced Academics Program is committed to ensuring that our highest ability learners are challenged to meet their potential and that curriculum and learning opportunities are in line with their needs, interests, and abilities.
Why Pre-AP?
Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) classes prepare students for the challenging curricula and workload they will face in AP classes in high school and in future college courses.
Choose AP
Are you ready for a unique learning experience that will help you succeed in college? Through AP's college-level courses and exams, you can earn college credit and advanced placement, stand out in the admission process, and learn from some of the most skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers in the world.
A Different Kind of Class
From the moment you enter an AP classroom, you'll notice the difference—in the teacher's approach to the subject, in the attitude of your classmates, in the way you start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on memorizing facts and figures. Instead you'll engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively.(Collegeboard.com)
Request for GT Testing
Gifted Program Referrals
Referrals for GT Services are accepted from August-April with ongoing testing during that time. Contact GT Specialists Lacey Bernal - Lacey.Bernal@gpisd.org for more information.
AVID
AVID Mission Statement
AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.
Why AVID?
AVID is an in-school academic support program for students. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for college eligibility, career preparation and success as early as elementary school.
AVID has created a program to provide students with tools and strategies for academic and social success in school, higher education and beyond. According to the organization, AVID is more than just a program, rather, "At its heart, AVID is a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.”
Since 2007, GPISD has instituted the AVID program in 2 high schools, 1 multi-level (6-12) school, 5 middle schools, 2 multi-level (PK-8) schools, and 2 elementary schools.
English
Science
Science is the systematic study of the natural world. Our students get an opportunity to learn about science in a variety of ways. There are five general areas of investigation our students explore:
- The Nature of Science…where we learn how to safely and responsibly do experiments, collect and record information, and analyze the results.
- Life Science…where all aspects of life, from individual cells to whole ecosystems, are studied.
- Chemistry… where students learn about the properties of matter and how they interact with one another.
- Physics…where we explore the concepts of forces, motion, and energy.
- Earth and Space…where we examine systems below our feet, on the surface, in the air, and out into the depths of the universe.
Every year they are here, our students have the opportunity to delve ever deeper into these topics. The knowledge they gain comes not mainly from reading about what others have learned but through investigations and experiments where they discover it for themselves. Science is cool!
Social Studies
The goal of the Social Studies Department is to teach the past so that it enables students to live successfully in the present and prepares them for the future. Specific grade levels teach the different areas of history.
6th Grade Social Studies
Sixth grade social studies is a year-long course in which students study the people and places of the contemporary world. Societies are chosen for study from the following regions of the world: Europe, Russia and the Eurasian republics, North America, Middle America, South America, Southwest Asia-North Africa, Sub-Sahara Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Rim. Students will study the influence of individuals and groups on historical and contemporary events in those societies and identify the locations and geographic characteristics of selected societies. Students will examine the different ways of organizing economic and governmental systems and will compare institutions common to all societies such as government, education, and religious institutions.
7th Grade Social Studies
This course is a year-long course of study of the history of Texas from early times to the present. The full scope of Texas history will be examined, including the cultures of native Americans living in Texas prior to European exploration and the eras of mission building, colonization, revolution, republic, and statehood. In each era the focus will be on key individuals, events, issues, and their impact. In the geography strand, students will identify the regions of Texas and the distribution of population within and among the regions and explain the factors that led Texas to change from a rural to an urban society. Students will also analyze the impact of various scientific discoveries and technological innovations such as barbed wire and oil and gas industries on the development of Texas.
8th Grade Social Studies
This course is a year-long course of study in which students examine the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. Historical content focuses on the political, economic, and social events and issues related to the colonial and revolutionary eras, the creation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution, challenges of the early Republic, westward expansion, sectionalism, Civil War, and Reconstruction. In the geography strand, students will study physical characteristics of the United States and their impact on population distributions and settlement patterns in the past and present. They will analyze the various economic factors that influenced the development of colonial America and the early years of the Republic and identify the origins of the free enterprise system.
Pre-Ap/GT Social Studies
Pre-Ap/GT Social Studies goes in depth into the study of the various units.
Fine Art/Electives
Art
Art 1 is for the beginner art student. Class is geared towards basic skills and building confidence in both two dimensional and three dimensional techniques.
Art 2 provides more comprehensive fine art experiences such as advanced 2D and 3D techniques as well as some work for district and regional competition.
Advanced Art 3 is for the serious and focused art student who seeks to refine high end technical skills in all media. Students explore unconventional materials, conceptual art, and develop a personal style. All Advanced Art 3 students are required to participate in all district and regional art competitions.
Any art student is welcome to spend time in the Art Studio on Tuesday and Thursday from 4:20-5:00 pm.
Band
Jackson Middle School Eagle Band
WELCOME students and parents to the JMS Eagle Band. We invite you to be a part of a great organization that develops character, honor, integrity, and work ethic through an exciting musical journey. We have three performing organizations: Honors, Symphonic, and Beginning bands.
Click the links below for more information about our JMS Eagle Band Life!
Parent Chaperone/Volunteer Link
Band Handbook English
Band Handbook Spanish
Honors Band
A school-owned instrument will be provided of which parents are fully responsible for. The band program has used clean mouthpieces students can borrow. Students are required to pay a band fee of $35, which includes a band book and a band t-shirt. Funds will be collected through “My School Bucks”. When a beginner band student finishes their first year of playing, they will have the opportunity to be part of the Honors Band.
The Jackson Middle School Honors Band is the premier performing ensemble. They officially represent the school and perform throughout the year. Students placed into the Honors exemplify extremely high expectations for the Spring audition. Honors Band auditions require superior preparation of the material as well as mature fundamentals, the most important of which is characteristic tone quality across the range of their instrument. Students not meeting the requirements for the Honors band will repeat the beginning band or will not advance into the Honors Band. This band performs at Varsity football games playing in the stands, Winter/Spring Concerts, elementary tour, pep-rallies, Veterans concert, pre-UIL concert, UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation.
** Honors Band offers after-school participation in jazz band and drum-line ensembles**
Symphonic Band
A school-owned instrument will be provided of which parents are fully responsible for. It is highly recommended the student purchase their own mouthpiece for the instrument. The band program has used clean mouthpieces students can borrow. When a beginner band student finishes their first year of playing, they will have the opportunity to be part of Symphonic Band.
This band is by audition and is intended for experienced musicians who have played a band instrument for at least one year. Students will need to have achieved all the standards required of a beginning band student. We have many fun-filled activities that require commitment in order to be successful. Students are required to pay a band fee of $35, which includes a band book and a band t-shirt. Please click the link for “My School Bucks”. Fine Arts credit is awarded after successfully completing the class, and additional Fine Arts or elective credit is awarded for repeating the class. Students not meeting the requirements for Symphonic Band will repeat the beginning band to continue to develop their musical skills. Students will need to have achieved all the standards required of a beginning band student. We have many fun-filled activities that require commitment in order to be successful.
Students are required to pay a band fee of $35, which includes a band book and a band t-shirt. Please click the link for “My School Bucks”. Fine Arts credit is awarded after successfully completing the class, and additional Fine Arts or elective credit is awarded for repeating the class. Students not meeting the requirements for Symphonic Band will repeat the beginning band to continue to develop their musical skills.
Beginner Band
Beginning Band is for students with no prior experience playing flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, or percussion. Students will learn the basic skills of playing a band instrument and learning how to read music. Students will learn music theory and rhythmic notation. Band students will perform simple songs as they master skills to perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts.
Band is a great way to learn to play an instrument, read music, and connect with other students at Jackson Middle School. Students will be graded on class participation, performance goals, and attendance at all required rehearsals and performances. Fine Arts credit is awarded after successfully completing the class.
A school-owned instrument will be provided of which parents are fully responsible for. The band program has used clean mouthpieces students can borrow. The program has “used” mouthpieces that have been cleaned and are available to check out with the instrument if necessary. Beginner students will pay a band fee of $35, which includes a band book and a t-shirt. Please click the link for “My School Bucks"
Choir
Mariachi
Beginners
This guitar class is for beginners with no previous experience playing guitar. Students will learn the basic skills and information required for playing guitar, as well as music theory, mariachi history and how to sing in Spanish while playing guitar. Mariachi students will perform simple songs, take field trips to hear live music, and will perform in the Spring Concert in May. Students can rent an instrument (approx. $60) or provide their own classical guitar. They will also buy a music book and t-shirt to keep (approx. $35). These classes are a great way to learn to play an instrument, read music, sing and prepare for Advanced Mariachi. Students will be graded on class participation and attendance at all required rehearsals and performances, as well as their playing ability. Fine Arts credit is awarded after successfully completing the class.
Advanced
This class is by audition only and is intended for experienced musicians who sing and play violin, trumpet, vihuela, guitarrón or guitar. Advanced students will learn to perform a range of mariachi music including standard songs and newer hits by popular singers like Vicente Fernandez. Advanced students are required to attend many performances and rehearsals throughout the year. They will also take field trips to hear live music, and in addition to performing at UIL Festivals and on the Winter Concert in December and the Spring Concert in May they will also be required to perform several times in the community and at festivals in the evenings & on weekends. Students can rent an instrument (approx. $75) or provide their own. Students are required to buy their own mariachi t-shirt, shirt/blouse. Students will be graded on class participation and their playing ability as well as their attendance at all required performances and rehearsals. Fine Arts credit is awarded after successfully completing the class, and additional Fine Arts or elective credit is awarded for repeating the class.
Orchestra
Beginning Orchestra
This course will focus on learning the basics of playing the violin, viola, cello or double bass. Students will learn basic skills on care of instrument, how to play and how to read music. Students are required to have an instrument. Instruments may be rented through the school for a fee. The fee covers the annual upkeep of the instrument, but students will be liable for any major damages. This is a prerequisite for grades 6th - 7th for Advanced Orchestra.
Advanced Orchestra
This course will reinforce the playing techniques taught in Beginning Orchestra. Students will learn advanced practicing and playing techniques associated to their instrument. Students are required to have an instrument. Instruments may be rented through the school for a fee. The fee covers the annual upkeep of the instrument, but the students will be liable for any major damages. Students are required to perform in concerts and to participate in UIL competitions.
Prerequisite - Beginning Orchestra
Theater
Mission Statement
The program is intended to foster teamwork, perseverance, time management, responsibility, commitment, leadership, pride, life skills, to learn all aspects of each individual art, and most of all, to have fun. The main goal is to grow as an individual and learn how to work together with others to achieve a common goal. For every little task we accomplish, it brings us closer to our goals. It is the process that we must go through in order for us to reach our goals and in turn become successful. Success is not measured by the amount of points you score or awards you receive; success is what you have gained through the experience you have encountered during the journey. Overcoming adversity and challenges will make you a stronger and better person. We strive for excellence and mastery in all activities!
What Is Theatre?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u38Wq52WyDM&t=99s
For more information about our Theatre program, please view the handbook below:
Dance
Jackson Dance Company is a performance team fostered by the dance program within Jackson Middle School in Grand Prairie, Texas. Dancers are required to have taken at least one year of dance prior to auditioning for the company. Students must audition by performing dance routine, flexibility measures, and they are sometimes interviewed. All dance team members must maintain required code of conduct per the district as well as the GPISD Dance Constitution.
JDC members are held to high standards on campus as well as outside of the district. The company performs within the district as well as in the DFW Metroplex. Company members perform in school pep rallies, sporting events, district events such as MLK day, Dubiski Education Fair, dance competitions, etc. Students are encouraged to enroll in the Dance1 course prior to auditioning for the dance company. Behavior and performance in the classroom is considered in the audition process.