Accelerated Programs

Both semester grades (not yearly average) will be used to determine credit earned. If your student successfully passes both semesters a "P" will be placed on the transcript and not a grade. A "P" will eaual 1.0 unit of credit earned. 

The Accelerated Math pretest is free.

No, 5th grade Gifted students will be automatically enrolled in Accelerated Math as long as their Georgia Milestones and iReady scores indicate that they have the ability to be successful in the class. Students at Berkeley Lake Elementary School currently enrolled in Accelerated Math will automatically be placed.

The 6th Grade Accelerated Earth Science course provides students with a fast‑paced, enriched study of Earth’s systems. Through inquiry‑based learning, hands‑on investigations, and deeper exploration of geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy, students advance their scientific reasoning and analytical skills.

The 7th Grade Accelerated Life Science course at DMS is a rigorous, inquiry-based curriculum designed for high-achieving students. It serves as a bridge between elementary life science and high school Biology, emphasizing deep conceptual understanding and advanced scientific practices. The accelerated track includes areas of extension in Cellular Biology, Genetics & Heredity, Biological Evolution, Ecology, and Classification. Students will investigate cell structures, functions, and processes then understand how traits are passed from parents to offspring and the role of DNA/genes. Through exploring the theory of natural selection and fossil evidence, they will analyze the interdependence of organisms within ecosystems and the flow of energy and group and identify the diversity of living organisms.

In our Foundations of Computer Programming class, sixth graders will learn the basics of how computers work and how to create with them. The class covers several areas, including understanding computer parts where students will get to see what's inside a computer and learn to identify the different pieces. We'll also focus on solving problems like a computer, teaching students how to think logically and break down problems step-by-step, which is a key skill in computer programming. Furthermore, students will learn the basics of creating software and explore how to make their own digital projects. Throughout the class, students will get hands-on experience by working with real computer parts and designing their own computer programs collaboratively. This class will also give them a first look at different careers in the world of computers, including computer science; MakeCode Robotics with the Finch Robot, where they'll learn to program robots using a fun and visual platform; and an introduction to JavaScript programming, a popular computer language used to create many kinds of software. The intent of this class is to engage students in the exploding world of STEM education by making learning about computers engaging and understandable for all students, while also giving them a glimpse into future possibilities.

• Scheduling: Wildcat extension classes will run from 8:50am – 10am, ensuring students can participate without conflicting with their core subjects. 
• Instructor Support: We will leverage our current certified Computer Science and certified Spanish staff. 
• Student Selection: The first 50 students will be selected based on interest, readiness, and academic performance through iReady target and stretch growth from the previous school year. We will monitor engagement throughout the year to ensure students are benefiting from the early morning extension opportunity. 
• Qualifying Criteria: Students are on grade level or above in iReady Reading, show 50% or higher growth in iReady Reading, scored 50th percentile or higher in iReady Math, scored Proficient or Distinguished on Georgia Milestones from previous year, and earned A/B in language arts and math first semester.

By onboarding Spanish and Computer Science as early morning courses for 6th-grade students, we provide a unique opportunity to expose them to an enriched, accelerated curriculum that our district offers.  

DMS students begin their Spanish learning experience in the 6th grade connections class where students begin to explore the Spanish language with emphasis on the cultures of Spanish speaking countries. At DMS, students exchange basic greetings, farewells, and expressions of courtesy orally and in writing; respond to classroom directions in Spanish; identify vocabulary and respond to simple questions on a variety of topics such as weather, time, family, home, school, and food and; develop an awareness of perspectives, practices, and products of the cultures where Spanish is spoken.

• Scheduling: Wildcat extension classes will run from 8:50am – 10am, ensuring students can participate without conflicting with their core subjects. 
• Instructor Support: We will leverage our current certified Computer Science and certified Spanish staff. 
• Student Selection: The first 50 students will be selected based on interest, readiness, and academic performance through iReady target and stretch growth from the previous school year. We will monitor engagement throughout the year to ensure students are benefiting from the early morning extension opportunity. 
• Qualifying Criteria: Students are on grade level or above in iReady Reading, show 50% or higher growth in iReady Reading, scored 50th percentile or higher in iReady Math, scored Proficient or Distinguished on Georgia Milestones from previous year, and earned A/B in language arts and math first semester.

By onboarding Spanish and Computer Science as early morning courses for 6th-grade students, we provide a unique opportunity to expose them to an enriched, accelerated curriculum that our district offers.  

The Spanish for Native Speakers (SNS) program at DMS is designed for heritage and native speakers of Spanish. Students develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, as they explore issues related to the identity of heritage speakers in the US and Hispanic cultures, including language variation, customs, geography, history, and current events.

SNS I at DMS is offered as a 2-year cohorted advanced course as follows: the high school semester 1 content taught in 7th grade and the high school semester 2 content taught in 8th grade. Rising 7th graders at DMS are identified from their PHLOTE and academic readiness.

We are excited to announce that Duluth Middle School will be providing a new opportunity for many of our rising 7th graders beginning in Fall 2025. Our Rising 7th Graders will have the chance to select an enriched experience beyond the academic day with our newly offered Spanish for Natives course.

Taking Spanish for Natives at Duluth Middle School will equip our students with essential skills for the future. This course will provide a unique academic opportunity to enhance language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and linguistic skills for students who are already proficient in Spanish and will contribute to the school’s overall goal of offering an accelerated curriculum. The course will span the entire school year, allowing students to strengthen their writing, reading, and grammar skills while also expanding their understanding of literature and cultural nuances. At Duluth Middle School we believe “Being Bilingual is Our Superpower." 

• Scheduling: Wildcat extension classes will run from 8:50am – 10am, ensuring students can participate without conflicting with their core subjects. 
• Instructor Support: DMS utilizes current certified Spanish language instructors with expertise in teaching advanced language skills, as well as native speakers who can guide students through the linguistic and cultural elements of the course. 
• Student Selection: The course is open to students who meet proficiency requirements based on a language assessment, teacher recommendations, and academic performance through iReady target and stretch growth from the previous school year. We will ensure that students in this course are appropriately challenged and supported to succeed. 
• Qualifying Criteria: Students speak Spanish as their home language, are on grade level or above in iReady Reading or 1 grade level below with other strong qualifying data and earned A/B in academic courses first semester.

Offering the Spanish for Native Speakers course to our 7th-grade students provides a unique opportunity to enhance bilingualism, cultural understanding, and academic excellence. This initiative supports our commitment to offering an accelerated curriculum aligned with our Portrait of Graduate by preparing students for high school success and beyond. 

We are excited to announce that Duluth Middle School will be providing a new opportunity for many of our rising 7th graders beginning in Fall 2026. Our Rising 7th Graders will have the chance to select an enriched experience beyond the academic day with our newly offered Korean course.
Taking Korean at Duluth Middle School will equip our students with essential skills for the future. This course will provide a unique academic opportunity to enhance language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and linguistic skills for students. The course will span the entire school year, allowing students to strengthen their writing, reading, and grammar skills while also expanding their understanding of literature and cultural nuances. At Duluth Middle School we believe “Being Bilingual is Our Superpower."

This introductory to Korean class focuses on language, customs, cultures, and geography for the areas where the language is spoken. Students learn practical vocabulary through a variety of written and oral activities.

• Scheduling: Wildcat extension classes will run from 8:50am – 10am, ensuring students can participate without conflicting with their core subjects. 
• Instructor Support: DMS utilizes current certified Korean language instructors with expertise in teaching advanced language skills, as well as guide students through the linguistic and cultural elements of the course. 
• Student Selection: The course is open to students who meet proficiency requirements based on a language assessment, teacher recommendations, and academic performance through iReady target and stretch growth from the previous school year. We will ensure that students in this course are appropriately challenged and supported to succeed. 
• Qualifying Criteria: Students are on grade level or above in iReady Reading, show 50% or higher growth in iReady Reading, scored 50th percentile or higher in iReady Math, scored Proficient or Distinguished on Georgia Milestones from previous year, and earned A/B in language arts and math first semester, and were enrolled in Spanish/Computer Science academic extension in 6th grade.

Offering the Korean course to our 7th-grade students provides a unique opportunity to enhance bilingualism, cultural understanding, and academic excellence. This initiative supports our commitment to offering an accelerated curriculum aligned with our Portrait of Graduate by preparing students for high school success and beyond. 

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) high school physical science is a foundational, lab-based course often taken for high school credit before 9th grade. It covers atomic structure, chemical properties, motion, forces, conservation of energy, waves, electricity, and magnetism. The curriculum aligns with Georgia Standards of Excellence to prepare students for high school Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Accelerated Learning:

Aligned with high school standards, preparing your child for advanced Spanish while earning a Carnegie Unit toward graduation

• 6th grade - Engage students through storytelling and visual support
• 7th grade – Introduce grammar concepts along with relevant vocabulary (cover the curriculum from 1st semester of high school)
• 8th grade – Continue introducing more advanced grammar concepts (cover the curriculum from 2nd semester of high school)

Real-World Relevance:     

Acquiring a second language helps a child improve cognitive abilities, enhance communicative skills, and broaden career opportunities. A second language is a mandatory requirement for colleges.

Why Start Learning Spanish Early?

Studies suggest there is a specific window in early life during which individuals can acquire language with native-like fluency, generally considered to be from birth to puberty. 
 

The SNS program at DMS is designed for heritage and native speakers of Spanish. Students develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, as they explore issues related to the identity of heritage speakers in the US and Hispanic cultures, including language variation, customs, geography, history, and current events.

For more information, see Spanish for Native Speakers in the Wildcat Extensions section above.

Biology is a foundational course covering fundamental biological concepts, theories, and principles, and experimental science projects. Our DMS students are engage in hands-on laboratory and field work to investigate biological concepts and learn about the relationships between organisms and their environment, including the flow of energy and matter in ecosystems.  Additionally, our DMS students explore the relationships between the structures and functions of living cells and organisms and the concept of biological evolution and the changes that occur in populations over time. 

Rising 8th grade students will have the opportunity to take High School Biology. The class will be taught by Ms. Raymond, and successful completion of the course will result in a Carnegie credit. Earning this credit in 8th grade allows students to either take higher level science classes in high school or open up their schedule for other electives. A pretest will be administered March 12, 2026, during Wildcat Pride in the cafeteria. The pretest scores along with Science District Assessment scores will be used to determine if your child will be offered to take the course.

Interested students should fill out this form: HS Biology Pretest Sign up Link

The cost of the class is $225, which will be due through MyPaymentsPlus.com by May 1st once placement decisions are made. The class will be from 8:10-9:10AM each school day during the 2026-27 school year. Transportation to school in the mornings will be the responsibility of the parents/guardians; any student chronically late, absent, and/or unsuccessful academically will be dropped from the course, and no refund will be provided. 

To be eligible for the pretest, students need to complete 80% of the assigned Khan Academy work as well as score an 80% or above on all assessments. Use this link to join the Khan Academy Class: HS Biology Khan Academy Pretest Work
 
Students who are accepted into the course and then choose to drop the class are not issued a refund. Please be mindful that this is an additional class to the regular student schedule, and all students will also take Physical Science during the school day.  

Should you have further questions, please contact Assistant Principal Carey McDurmon.

• Scheduling: The Biology course will be integrated into the regular 8th-grade schedule to ensure students can participate without conflicting with other core subjects. 
• Instructor Support: We will leverage our current certified Biology staff. 
• Student Selection: The course will be open to 8th-grade students who demonstrate academic readiness based on their previous performance in science, teacher recommendations, and academic performance through iReady target and stretch growth from the previous school year. We will closely monitor student progress throughout the year to ensure they are supported in their learning journey. 
• Qualifying Criteria: Students are on grade level or above in iReady Reading and Math, scored Proficient or Distinguished on Georgia Milestones from previous year, are predicted to score Proficient or Distinguished on Georgia Milestones and earned A/B in all academic courses first semester, scored in the proficient range on the first semester 7th grade Life Science final exam, and have good attendance.

By offering the Biology course to our 8th-grade students, we provide them with a unique and valuable opportunity to engage in high-level science education. This course supports our current charge to Champion our students by offering an accelerated curriculum that prepares our DMS students for success in high school and beyond.