Grades 6 - 8

Roosevelt Creative Arts Middle School

Grades 6 - 8

Roosevelt Creative Arts Middle School

Grades 6 - 8

Roosevelt Creative Arts Middle School

Academics

At Roosevelt Creative Arts Middle School, achieving is about believing in yourself as a scholar, artist, and community member.

Sixth graders study theater, dance, music, and the visual arts in classes led by our specialist teachers. Seventh and eighth graders take control of their creative education by selecting two arts focus areas. Roosevelt’s artist-in-residence program brings some of Milwaukee’s top talent to campus two to three days weekly. Resident artists help students prepare for the spotlight as actors, set designers, directors, and dancers. Students thrive on stage and behind the scenes during our annual dinner theater, spring musical, and gallery events.

Every teacher brings subject-area expertise and arts integration skills to classrooms and performance spaces. From summer retreats to weekly planning sessions, our teachers form a tight-knit ensemble. They connect core academic content to lectures from visiting artists, school productions, and community performances.

Students pursue academic excellence and cultivate their vision and voice in arts-integrated lessons:

  • School-wide novel read
  • Student-and-staff quilt, coming in winter 2025
  • Hip-Hop for Change guest lecture and mathematics tie-in
  • Visual Thinking Strategies every Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Common Core State Standards

The curriculum in Milwaukee Public Schools is based on Common Core State Standards. These standards were developed with teachers, school administrators, and experts to prepare all children for college and the workforce.

Ambitious Instruction Plan

The Milwaukee Public Schools Ambitious Instruction Plan recognizes and celebrates that our students come from many cultures and backgrounds. This plan focuses on high-quality, culturally appropriate teaching and learning. Our goal is to ensure that every student develops reading, writing, and math skills in ways that are meaningful to their individual life and experiences. Our staff works together to understand each learner, find appropriate ways to assess and improve their progress, and make sure that students can apply what they have learned in productive ways in school and in their community.

Mathematics

Our technology-integrated mathematics curriculum prepares students for high school and pre-college coursework. Teachers design hands-on lessons and activities that build on students’ understanding of the number system, equations, and mathematical terms. Students expand their problem-solving skills as they work on modeling and abstract and quantitative reasoning.

Grade 6

Sixth graders dig deeper into geometry, learn to divide fractions by fractions, and expand their knowledge of algebra to include reasoning about and solving one-variable equations.

Grade 7

Seventh graders draw and construct geometrical figures. They also learn new vocabulary. Creativity continues as students develop, use, and evaluate models and processes that help them make predictions and assess chance.

Grade 8

Eighth graders learn about irrational numbers, progress from algebraic to linear equations, and develop deeper analytical and statistical abilities working with two-variable equations.

Sciences

Students explore six branches of science: physical, life, earth and space, engineering, and technology. As students learn core concepts and make connections across their science studies, they better understand the world around them and how human invention impacts society and science. They learn to design and conduct experiments and how to analyze, interpret, record, and present data.

Grade 6

Sixth graders prepare for in-depth studies by learning more about the six branches of science.

Grade 7

Seventh graders develop a deeper understanding of scientific processes and principles through reading and experimentation.

Grade 8

Eighth graders use research, experimentation, and factual knowledge to evaluate scientific ideas.

Social Studies

Our immersive, technology-integrated curriculum spans geography, history, civics, economics, and the behavioral sciences.

Grade 6

Sixth graders learn about world cultures and geography of the Western Hemisphere.

Grade 7

Seventh graders learn about world cultures and geography of the Eastern Hemisphere.

Grade 8

Eighth graders learn about the United States from the Civil War to the present.

English Language Arts

Multicultural, tech-integrated, and focused on research and writing, our English language arts curriculum prepares students for high school and pre-college coursework.

Grade 6

Sixth graders explore a range of topics and viewpoints in print, digital, and multimedia materials. As they listen and read, students take notes to capture what they learn, observe, and feel. Research projects, reflection pieces, and essays challenge students to organize their ideas, present evidence, and grow as writers. They review, revise, and discuss their work with teachers and classmates. Final pieces might be presented in class, published online, or shared with audiences and judges in Roosevelt productions and district-wide competitions.

Grade 7

Seventh graders draw on new skills, content knowledge, and personal experiences to analyze arguments, information, and perspectives on many topics. They use evidence and examples to explain what they learn and share original responses in writing assignments and research projects. In group and solo work, students learn different ways to use language, punctuation, and information to make an impact.

Grade 8

Eighth graders become critical thinkers and confident media consumers as they learn safe, effective Internet-search strategies. Students read and analyze a variety of texts to gather information, answer questions, and present their findings. New vocabulary and techniques like figurative language and nuance help students strengthen writing and presentation skills and develop their voice.

Physical Education and Health

Developing healthy habits and social and emotional skills helps students navigate the transition from middle school to high school. Understanding the connection between mind and body wellness can encourage students to make healthy choices over a lifetime.

Grade 6

Sixth graders learn about building healthy relationships, developing self-respect, and measuring their activity in team and individual sports.

Grade 7

Seventh graders complete a community service project in health class and learn and participate in a range of physical activities.

Grade 8

Eighth graders learn to make decisions, choose activities, and set goals that prioritize their health and well-being as young adults. Students develop stronger advocacy and communication skills and learn how physical activity supports personal health and is a form of creative expression.

Special Education

MPS serves all children with disabilities, including cognitive, physical, emotional, learning, hearing, vision, and speech disabilities. Our special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, and administration work together to meet students’ needs.

If you think your child has special education needs, ask your child’s teacher or principal for an evaluation. For general questions about special education or specialized services, please call (414) 874-8493, or learn more about Specialized Services.