SOAR Program

• 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 Middle School SOAR Program will be available to students in grades 7 and 8 in the 2020-2021 school year, with new sessions beginning in both Fall and Spring.

SOAR courses 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.

All SOAR courses 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 Middle School SOAR Program will be available to students in grades 7 and 8 in the 2020-2021 school year, 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.