Mount Sinai middle school unveils new master-schedule, electives wheel and floor-plan changes

Chris Elsesser, the middle school principal, told the Board of Education the district will start a multi-year overhaul of the grades 5–8 master schedule in 2025–26 intended to increase course variety, deepen math supports and create more predictable student travel through the building.

The plan centers on three near-term changes: a two-period-a-day electives “wheel” for grades 5 and 6 that rotates students through short, quarterly elective sprints; a math lab that gives some students two periods of math every other day for targeted small‑group instruction; and shifting parts of the required health curriculum so younger students begin health instruction earlier.

The district said the electives wheel will give every grade‑5 and grade‑6 student exposure to multiple subjects across a 10‑week sprint. Elsesser described grade‑5 wheel content as art, family and consumer science, a digital literacy/computer science course, and a to‑be‑determined study‑skills elective. Grade 6 will include Spanish, a 10‑week block of health and a second study‑skills rotation. Performing‑group students (band, orchestra, chorus) will continue to meet daily; when they do not have music, they will join the wheel.

On math, Elsesser said the district will pilot a math lab model designed to allow “smaller group instruction” so students who need extra help or additional challenge can be taught at different levels. He also announced the return of a full‑time math AIS (Academic Intervention Services) position for the coming year.

Elsesser outlined changes to 7th‑ and 8th‑grade…