Keith Valley Middle School students describe year‑long "major" classes in performing arts, languages and STEM

Keith Valley Middle School administrators and students described a year‑long ‘‘major’’ scheduling model for 7th graders at the Hatboro‑Horsham School District Board of School Directors meeting on Jan. 27, saying the change gives students more choice and time to develop skills in areas such as band, chorus, orchestra, world language, STEM, family and consumer sciences and physical education.

Joanne Ellen Paladino, assistant principal at Keith Valley Middle School, told the board that the district piloted student choice to increase engagement and deepen learning. "We did that because we really felt that students had needed an opportunity to have a choice with the classes they were taking," Paladino said, explaining the schedule was set in the spring and implemented in the fall.

The program gives students a year‑long class in a chosen major that meets for a 40‑minute block every other day while students attend a different major for the alternate block. Teachers said the structure allows more repetition, shared assessments and a stronger pathway into high school programs. "We're really looking to create a program here that can feed into the high school and expand and develop their programs," Paladino said.

Why it matters: District and teachers said the model is intended to increase student interest and rigor by letting students pursue sustained experience in an area they select. Administrators plan to roll the option forward to 8th grade in the 2025–26 school year and to use feedback from students and teachers to refine scheduling and course offerings.

Students who spoke at the meeting described hands‑on benefits. Bria Dare, a 7th‑grade student who took family and consumer sciences, said the course introduced sewing and expanded her baking skills. "Using a sewing machine was completely new to me, but with my teacher's guidance, I was able to learn how to use the machines properly," Dare said. She said having a year‑long course let her improve techniques and build confidence.

Carter Kneer, a 7th‑grade student in the art major, said he enjoyed learning new techniques but felt the current time allotment sometimes made the class feel rushed: "This year, however, I felt like we barely had enough time to develop new skills in class... Oftentimes, I've utilized pace and after school to finish projects." He said he looks forward to more time and deeper projects.

A student who identified herself as Zoe, a 7th‑grade world language major, said taking Spanish in 7th grade gave her an early start toward higher‑level classes in high school. "Taking Spanish 1 in 7th grade and finishing it in 8th grade is letting me speak Spanish earlier and get further in high school," Zoe said.

Teachers described shared curriculum and assessment practices. One teacher said the department uses MusicFirst, an online program, to create common assessments for music classes so students can do work in class and on their own time. Tiffany Hood, family and consumer sciences teacher and creative arts department coordinator, told the board that teachers saw greater student engagement and willingness to take risks because students chose the class. "First and foremost, we agree that student choice was one of the biggest benefits of this program," Hood said. She also listed examples of expanded learning: art and family and consumer sciences field trips to local sites and a master class opportunity for French students.

Administrators said the program will scale to 8th grade next year and that a new facility opening next year will offer more space for these offerings. The presentation included several students who spoke about individual majors, and administrators said they are collecting feedback from students and teachers to revise scheduling and course sequencing.

The board did not take a formal vote on the program itself at the Jan. 27 meeting; the presentation was given as an informational item and administrators said they plan further rollout and scheduling work ahead of the 2025–26 school year.

Ending: Board members thanked the students and staff for the presentation. Administrators said they will continue to refine the program and bring schedule changes and any necessary recommendations to the board in future meetings.