Middle School Programs

Journey is a personalized path to success for gifted middle school students in Paradise Valley.  It is based on a constructivist theory of education, which maintains that students learn best when they construct knowledge for themselves.  For this reason, Journey is heavily focused on Project Based Learning, Blended Learning, and student choice. Students are coached and mentored as they immerse themselves in interdisciplinary units of study that combine social studies, English Language Arts, and science. Visit Journey's website for more information.

Journey

Quest provides students with an interdisciplinary, project-based learning environment that embodies 21st-century learning. Visit the Quest's website for more information.

Quest 

The two Honors Academies at Desert Shadows Middle School (DSMS) provide honors core classes – English, math, science, social studies – with an emphasis in one of two programs: world languages and pre-engineering. For more information, contact the school directly at (602) 449-6800. Visit the DSMS website for further information.

Desert Shadows Middle School

Honors and advanced-level courses in mathematics and language arts are designed to provide a more rigorous curriculum and higher expectations for student performance. Check with individual middle schools for courses that are provided.

Honors courses prepare students for high-school level honors and advanced placement courses. Instruction incorporates creative and productive thinking, problem-solving, critical thinking skills, research, personal development, and communication. Advanced math is one level ahead. Honors English, science and social studies are enriched and/or advanced at grade level. 

Students may qualify for placement in an honors course by meeting district requirements for placement in the gifted program. In addition, a combination of previous success in the subject area, superior performance on related achievement tests, and/or recommendation by previous teachers of the subject may be considered. Verify program eligibility with the middle or high school of your choice. Refer to our Gifted Testing page if your student needs gifted scores.