Updated February 2026

APS middle school students can choose between regular and intensified courses in Math, English, Science, and Social Studies. While all intensified courses offer deeper learning, math operates differently, combining deeper instruction with faster pacing to ensure students can reach calculus in high school. This guide explains how intensified pathways work by subject, outlines accelerated math options by grade level, and clarifies which courses earn high school credit.

Intensified Math: Deeper Learning at a Faster Pace

Intensified Math courses go both deeper and faster than regular math courses. The faster pacing allows students to complete the full sequence of math content needed for advanced high school coursework.

For sixth graders, APS offers one grade-level Math 6 course and two accelerated options:

• Math 6 Advanced, which covers the content of Math 6 and Math 7

• Prealgebra for 6th graders, which covers the content of Math 6, Math 7, and Math 8

Seventh and eighth graders also choose between grade-level math courses and two accelerated options.

Each July, APS provides math course recommendations for the upcoming school year based on what best meets each student’s needs.

Several middle school math courses, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II (regular and intensified), are high school–level classes. Grades from these courses appear on a student’s high school transcript (unless removed later) and may be used to meet the Math verified credit requirement for high school graduation.

Intensified English, Science, and Social Studies: Deeper Learning at Grade Level

In contrast to Math, intensified Middle School English, Science, and Social Studies cover the same grade-level content as regular courses but go deeper into the material.

In English, this may include reading higher-level texts, completing research-based projects, and engaging in critical thinking through evaluation and critique of selected works.

In Science and Social Studies, students participate in extended application and analysis to deepen their understanding of grade-level content.

Intensified English, Science, and Social Studies are open enrollment, and students may take any combination of these courses.

Beginning next school year (2026-2027), intensified 8th grade World Geography will be offered for the first time. Both regular and intensified 8th grade World Geography are high school–level courses. Grades appear on a student’s high school transcript (unless removed later) and may be used to meet the History/Social Studies verified credit requirement for graduation.

Learn More

Additional course details are available in the APS Middle School Program of Studies 2026–27

Thinking Ahead to High School and College? Don’t miss this powerful parent-written piece from our newsletter: What I Wish I’d Known for My College Freshman: High School Pathways and College Credit. Learn real-world lessons about AP vs. IB, math pathways, earning college credit, and how being proactive can save families time, money, and stress. Read the full article here