Curriculum
Borel’s curriculum and instructional practices are aligned with California State Standards. We emphasize standards-based instruction through best-practices, including hands-on learning and differentiated instruction, in order to meet the learning needs of all students.
Language arts, social studies, math, science, and physical education are required at all grade levels. Required exploratory wheel classes in the sixth grade include art, cultural studies, life skills, Spanish, and International Baccalaureate advisory. (Each wheel class meets one day per week.) Sixth graders in music class rotate PE and music every other day. In the seventh grade, the wheel includes Spanish, which will be taken every other day, art (rotated with Spanish one semester) and computers (rotated with Spanish one semester). Seventh grade students enrolled in music take music for the full year in lieu of the wheel. In eighth grade, Spanish is required for a full year. Eighth graders also take one period of an elective from an extensive list of classes which includes art, computers, drama, fitness, music, office aide, peer helping, and yearbook.
As part of our special education program, Borel offers a Resource Specialist Program as well as Special Day Class for students with individual education plans. For more information regarding special education, please call the San Mateo-Foster City School District (312-7777) for a copy of the Parent Handbook for Special Education.
6th Grade
- Language Arts (two periods; Holt Literature and Language Arts)
- Social Studies – Ancient Civilizations (Glencoe California Series)
- Math – Sixth Grade Math (Scott Foresman)
- Science – Earth Science (CPO Science)
- Physical Education (sixth graders in music class rotate PE and music every other day)
- Exploratory Wheel (1quarter of each - art, Spanish/cultural studies, life skills, and technology)
7th Grade
- Language Arts (two periods; Holt Literature and Language Arts)
- Social Studies – World Civilizations (Glencoe California Series)
- Math – Pre-Algebra (Holt) or Algebra (Holt)
- Science – Life Science (CPO Science)
- Physical Education
- Exploratory Wheel - art, technology, Spanish or Music
8th Grade
- Language Arts (Holt Literature and Language Arts)
- Social Studies- United States History (Glencoe California Series)
- Math – Algebra (Holt); Geometry (Holt)
- Science – Physical Science (CPO Science)
- Physical Education
- Spanish (Glencoe Spanish 1)
- Elective: art, technology, drama, music, office aide, peer helping