SOAR Program

The Middle School SOAR Program will be available to students in grades 7 and 8 in the 2021-2022 school year, with new sessions beginning in both Fall and Spring.

• Are over the traditional age for their middle school grade (13 years or older in 6th grade; 14 years or older in 7th grade; 15 years or older in 8th grade)
• May turn 21 years old before their high school graduation date
• Have been retained for one or more school years
• Are at-risk for being retained in their current grade

The SOAR Skills Academy course will be available to students in grade 6 who have been retained at least one school year.

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 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 have the option to complete SOAR 8 in the fall and beginning high school courses in the Spring of their grade 8 year (OR complete SOAR 8 in the Spring, with a projected goal of completing high school in less than four years).

All SOAR courses for grades 7 and 8 will utilize Project-Based Learning, 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

The SOAR Skills Academy (SSA) course is available to grade 6 students who are over the traditional middle school age because of retention. This course will utilize supplemental online programs focused on closing achievement gaps and increasing grade-level proficiency in reading, writing, math, and science standards. This is a full-year elective, pass/fail course, offered in addition to standard grade 6 PALCS core courses. Eligible students will be identified and notified prior to the beginning of the school year. Overage students who successfully pass the SSA course are guaranteed enrollment in SOAR 7 the following year. 

The Middle School SOAR Program will be available to students in grades 7 and 8 in the 2021-2022 school year, with new sessions beginning in both Fall and Spring.

The SOAR Skills Academy course will be available to students in grade 6 who have been retained at least one school year.

The Middle School SOAR Program will be available to students in grades 7 and 8, with new sessions beginning in both Fall and Spring.

To apply to the program, please click here.

(Please note: If you are new to PALCS, SOAR forms will need to be completed in addition to your PALCS enrollment and orientation process.)

For more information, please contact Ms. Amy Sarno, SOAR Program Coordinator: asarno@palcs.org.