Academic Offerings

What We Offer

Manual MS is an incredibly diverse school that offers a style of Expeditionary Learning for all students. We are small enough to know all students while maintaining a variety of courses for all students; GT students are offered advanced courses, Spanish Speakers the Seal of Biliteracy, and students with disabilities are given the supports they need to succeed. 

• Rigorous core content curriculum that is proven to increase student achievement. We follow the state standards, linked here. CDE State Standards. Each content will be adding units that directly coordinate with the work we are planning for expeditions next year and beyond. 
• Enrichment periods offer accelerated learning for students below grade level, GT courses, a wide variety of electives, and classes from various outside partners. We are recruiting community partners for some of these offerings (i.e. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance , Project Voice, etc.).
• Expeditions: Each grade level has multiple expeditions throughout the year that are integrated into the curriculum of their core content areas (i.e. Washington DC, Denver Zoo, Morrison History Museum, etc.).
• Multi-Intensive Center. This group of students will be experiencing all offerings in science and social studies with their grade level peers and with their paraprofessionals as support. 
• Culturally responsive practices in classes, advisories, and learning outside of the classroom. We have provided professional development for our staff around what it means to be a culturally responsive school and worked on what supports are appropriate to meet the needs of many in our trauma impacted community. With culturally responsive teaching comes the need for appropriate social and emotional supports for our students. 
• A strong Wellness/Mental Health Team composed of: 1 full-time School Psychologist, 1 part-time School Psychologist, and 1 full-time School Counselor. We also partner with MHCD and Maria Droste to offer more counseling services to our students and families.
• Well-rounded Advisory curriculum. Advisory occurs at the beginning of every day and is utilized as a time for community building and learning outside of core and elective courses. Lessons include social-emotional curriculum, social-justice lessons, academic skill building (grade checks, study skills, etc.), and community building!
• Intensive learning opportunities outside of the school. We know perspective-building opportunities create opportunities for students to dream big and see their full potential. We envision our students rafting down the Colorado River, traveling internationally, or road tripping through south-west Colorado while diving deep into their curriculum along the way. 

Thunder Block

Thunder Block is from 12:25 – 12:55 daily. All all students are with their Thunder Block teacher working on a personalized pathway supporting their literacy and math neeeds. On Fridays Thunder Blocks compete for grade level supremacy and build community.

Special Education

Department of Individual Education Plans (SPED)

Our vision is to ensure that 100% of our students are supported in the actualization of their IEP transition goals with whole child support in a rigorous environment, through love and accountability, in order to achieve post-secondary readiness for college, career, and life.

Enrichment Block

Manual Middle School offers two 56-minute Enrichment blocks throughout the day. With over 30 different Enrichments students can choose from over the course of the year. Students are encouraged to take one enrichment from one of the following categories. Arts, Academics, and Active Learning.

Gifted & Talented

At Manual Middle School, we provide a wide variety of enriching experiences for our Gifted and Talented students.  Differentiation for all of our learners across all core content areas is a priority for instructors as we plan for instruction.  We provide single subject acceleration in math in connection with Manual High School.  We have an honors pathway for our students with gifts and talents in mathematics.  Enrichment activities, such as participation in the DPS Shakespeare Festival, Destination Imagination, Series Fest, and The Noetic Math Competition, gives our scholars the opportunity to explore and develop their creative and academic talents.  Our GT educator, supports our instructors with their work with all of our students to develop and provide enriching experiences in the classroom.  At Manual Middle School, we focus on the whole child to create a wonderful, enriching middle school experience.

Other resources available:

• Access the DPS Gifted & Talented website here
• Throughout the United States there are many programs for high ability students.  Click here to see more about the programs/organizations involved.
• Western Academic Talent Search – opportunities for 3rd – 9th GT students to take ACT, PSAT, or SAT. There are benefits and programming and/or scholarship opportunities available to participants. Registration is open Sept through December.
• Optimist Brain Bowl: A challenging and fun opportunity for students to participate in a rapid response general knowledge competition that promotes teamwork and enthusiasm for academics.
• DPS Shakespeare Festival: Yearly in April
• Center for Bright Kids

Language Arts

We follow the Language Arts Amplify Curriculumn

Arts

Manual offers the visual arts elective to foster culturally inclusive visual arts skills (drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media) in interested students.  Art is an essential part of the human social condition and thus essential to the IB MYP curriculum.

Math

We use the Imagine IM Math curriculumn

Physical Education

Manual MS students participate in a Physical Education program as part of our curriculum, and we believe regular physical activity is not only part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle but also supports academic work and social interactions during the school day.

Science

Manual uses the Open SciEd Curiculumn

Social Studies

Social Studies uses the educurious curriculumn

World Languages

Manual MS offers Spanish in our World Languages program. In addition to gaining proficiency in another language, the courses aim to develop respect for other cultures and a lifelong interest in and enjoyment of language. Students must be proficient in literacy and math to participate.

Levels of Spanish study:

Spanish 1 – students have never studied Spanish before
Spanish 2 – students have studied Spanish for 1 or 2 years
Advanced Spanish – students speak Spanish fluently