Middle School Steps Up Math Classes

A proposal to revamp Warren Middle School's math classes approved by the board of education will launch a sixth-grade algebra class and keep advanced eighth-graders in geometry at school.

According to a presentation by WMS Principal Robert Comba at the Feb. 25 board meeting, the school currently has two math tracks in the sixth grade, and "at some point during the fall, we identify a number of students through criteria who we feel could be accelerated."

These students are then given a series of assessments, if if they maintain an 85 percent passing grade in the assessments, the students are essentially self-learning the pre-algebra class material. They then go into the Algebra J class as seventh-graders.

"What we are proposing for next year is that we are going to identify this cohort of students in fifth-grade," Comba said.

The students will then be placed in a pre-algebra class in sixth-grade, following with the Algebra J in seventh grade.

The change enables the school to offer eighth-graders the honors geometry class currently offered at Watchung Hills Regional at Warren Middle School, in conjunction with eighth-grade students from Long Hill and Watchung, offering schedule flexibility since the class must be done in the first period. 

"And I do have an interim teacher who has taught geometry at the high school level and is prepared to do that," Comba said.

He added the high school class currently has about 35 students in the class, and Watchung Hills Regional officials have endorsed the plan to move the eighth-graders back to middle school (although Long Hill school officials are hoping to continue the WHRHS program, he said).

Watchung students in the advanced class would attend the class in Warren.

Comba said Debra Hunt, the current Algebra J teacher, will continue to teach it.