Middle School Math

We expect teachers to address the needs of all students in the classroom. When appropriate, middle school students will have extended learning opportunities when extra support is needed. Occasionally, there are students who are served through special programs who need a greater level of support and could be taught in a different location for short periods of time for focused instruction in math. These students are identified ahead of time and with parent input. 

For students who are identified as highly capable in the area of mathematics, additional options will be made available based on their individual needs.  Additional supports include the use of Concept Quests, math circles, and open/expansive questioning strategies with deep, rich math problems. The Department of Teaching and Learning works together with our schools to meet the needs of students who are identified. Families of these students will be contacted by teachers and our Highly Capable program. 

Bellingham Public Schools uses a data-driven process to identify the 1 to 2 percent of students eligible to take Math 7 in the sixth grade.  

There are two ways these students are identified: 

1. Fifth grade students who qualify for Highly Capable Learner (HCL) services in the quantitative (math) academic area and who also meet one of the data criteria below.  
2. Any fifth grade student who meets at least two of the three data criteria below.  

Data criteria (updated February 2025)

• Fourth grade Smarter Balanced score:  Level 4 
• Fifth grade fall iReady score:  94th percentile 
• Fifth grade winter iReady score: 94th percentile 

Students who are identified through this process are then invited to take a locally developed grade 6 math end-of-course assessment to demonstrate their mastery of Math 6 concepts. 

After identified students take the assessment, those who score 40 or more out of 47 will have the opportunity to bypass Math 6 if they and their family choose. Students and families will be notified of placement results in June.  

This group is then eligible to take Math 7 and the Bridge course during sixth grade.  

If they successfully complete Math 7 and our Bridge course, these students are then able to take Compacted Math 8 and Algebra 1 (1.5 years of math in one year) in seventh grade.  

Any revisions to these criteria will be posted on this webpage. 

Yes! We think nearly all students are better served by taking high school math courses in high school when their brains are more developed, and when they are ready for more complex math content and practices required in these courses.  Request information about available options from your school at registration. Options may include taking two math classes concurrently in one school year, either as separate courses or as one combined course, depending on what your school offers. 

• PK-5 Mathematics core curriculum is Bridges in Math (which includes Number Corner) 

• Grades 6-8 use Amplify Desmos 6-8 curriculum.

In December each year, we communicate with 7th grade students and their families who may wish to take an optional and additional class during second semester. 

Students who successfully complete Online Bridge to Compacted 8/Algebra 1 will be eligible to take Compacted Math 8/Algebra 1 in eighth grade, which earns high school credit. 

Quick information about Online Bridge to Compacted 8/Algebra 1:   

• Students must maintain completion of Math 7 work while they take on this additional, independent class.  

• This additional course will best fit those who are highly motivated to accelerate into high school math and who can work well independently in an online learning environment.   

• Here is an overview of the units of study for the course.   

• The class structure is independent online learning through a platform called Edmentum Plato.   

• Students will have minimal support to complete this independent work.   

• The weekly time commitment is typically five lessons of about 60 minutes each, so students should expect to work at least five hours per week.   

• To continue, the student must meet weekly expectations and benchmarks for participation and assignment completion.   

• Students must earn a minimum score of 80% on unit post tests and a final assessment to be eligible for Compacted Math 8/Algebra 1 when they complete the course.   

• At any time, students may choose to stop taking the online course with no penalty or concern.   

If you have specific questions about your student’s achievement in math, please contact your student’s teacher. 

If you are looking for additional information about the math sequence or rationale, please contact the Department of Teaching and Learning at 360-676-6545 or by email.