Teaching, Learning & Assessment
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- About Teaching, Learning & Assessment
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Assessments / Standardized Testing
- Standardized Testing Schedule
- • ACCESS (Assessing Comprehension & Communication in English State-to-State)
- • CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)
- • DLM-AA (Dynamic Learning Maps - Alternate Assessment)
- • FastBridge
- • FitnessGram
- • IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness (formerly PARCC)
- • ISA (Illinois Science Assessment)
- • LAS Links
- • MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
- RtI: Response to Intervention
- Curriculum and Instruction
- 8th Grade Promotion
- Clubs & Sports
- Disclosure of Federal Participation (Stevens Amendment)
- e-Learning Plan 2023-24
- Field Trips
- Illinois Report Cards
- Parent University
- Progress Reports/Report Cards
- School Supply Lists
- Summer School Offerings
- Title I Schoolwide Programs
- Community Consolidated School District 15
- Clubs & Sports
Clubs & Sports
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The district offers a variety of optional extracurricular activities for students, including clubs, sports, music, and Spelling Bees. These activities may vary from school to school.
Intramural, Club, and Interscholastic Sports
To participate in intramurals, clubs, or interscholastic sports at the elementary or junior high level, all students have completed the following:
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A current physical on file with the school nurse. Physicals are valid for 13 months.
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A complete electronic registration form, including:
Students participating in intramural, club, or interscholastic sports can only do so if they adhere to the CCSD15 Code of Conduct. Click here to view other important Player and Parent Expectations, Sportsmanship Expectations and Tie-Breaker Rules.
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Elementary
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6th Grade Specials
2 Ball is a basketball contest that students must try-out before they can move on to the district competition. The contest takes place in February at the Palatine Community Center and boys & girls compete on separate days.
Cross Country is a one mile race that is open to any 6th grader and it takes place in October at Salk Park in Rolling Meadows.
Track & Field Springtime Meet has individual races, team relays, and field events (shot put, softball throw, and long-jump). Students must try-out before they can move on to the district competition. The meet takes place in May at Palatine High School and boys & girls compete separately.
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Chorus
Grades 5 and 6
Chorus begins in Grade 5, and is a school-sponsored club that may be available for students in Grades 5 and 6. Choruses rehearse for 60 minutes each week.
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Clubs
Clubs, such as Student Council, Mathcounts, Battle of the Books, Running Clubs, Video Studio, and more, may be offered at the school. Contact your school for specific club offerings.
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Instrumental Music (Band/Orchestra)
Grades 5 and 6
Instrumental Music (Band/Orchestra) begins in Grade 5.
Students receive a small group 30-minute lesson twice a week on a rotating basis. Fifth- and sixth-grade instrumental music students have morning or afternoon rehearsals. You will receive information from your child's music teacher about rehearsal days and times.
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Intramural and Club Sports
Grades 5 and 6
Fifth- and sixth-grade students are eligible to participate in Intramurals and Club Sports. Contact your school for offerings.
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Special Olympics
District 15 Special Olympics provides sports training and competition in a variety of sports for children ages 8-15 having a variety of disabilities. These sports provide opportunities to develop physical fitness; the development of leisure skills; the enjoyment of learning new skills; the experience of working with their peers and being a part of a team while making friends and improving social interactions.
District 15 Special Olympics team, the Blue Jays, participate in six sports on nine teams: Basketball, Track & Field, Bowling, Snowshoeing, Soccer, and Tennis.
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Spelling Bees
Grades 4, 5, and 6
Students in Grades 4-6 participate in classroom Spelling Bees. Classroom winners progress to their school bees, and the winner from each building participates in the District 15 Annual Spelling Bee which includes students from Grades 4-8.
Junior High
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Band
Band is offered as enrichments at the junior high and meet during the day. Students may sign up for partial-year or full-year enrichments that teach musical elements and music appreciation. Band students also receive a small group 30-minute lesson once a week on a rotating basis.
- 7th Grade Band—Offered as a seventh-grade enrichment class to all students who have successfully completed intermediate band. Students are invited to continue their band experience every school day during this enrichment class. Students are also required to attend one small-group lesson per week on a rotating schedule. Through the study of different time periods and styles, students will understand music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze, and discuss concepts. Through daily learning, the band prepares and performs at concerts and events during and outside the school day.
- 8th Grade Band—Offered as an eighth-grade enrichment class to all students who have successfully completed seventh-grade band. Students are invited to continue their band experience on traditional band instruments. Band meets every school day as an enrichment class. Students are also required to attend one small-group lesson per week on a rotating schedule. Through the study of different time periods and styles, eighth-grade students will develop a relatively more advanced understanding of music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze, and discuss concepts. Through daily learning, the band prepares and performs at concerts and events during and outside the school day. Eighth-grade students will also have the opportunity to make connections with their appropriate High School band program, teachers, and students.
- 7th Grade Band—Offered as a seventh-grade enrichment class to all students who have successfully completed intermediate band. Students are invited to continue their band experience every school day during this enrichment class. Students are also required to attend one small-group lesson per week on a rotating schedule. Through the study of different time periods and styles, students will understand music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze, and discuss concepts. Through daily learning, the band prepares and performs at concerts and events during and outside the school day.
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Chorus
Junior High Chorus meets before school two to three times per week at 7 a.m. Participation is open to everyone and includes solo opportunities. A wide variety of music is rehearsed and performed, ranging from pop to musical theater to standard choral repertoire. There will be at least two concerts and additional performance opportunities during the school day. Students may also choose to participate in the Illinois Grade School Music Association Solo and Ensemble Contest. Students must provide their own transportation to rehearsal.
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Clubs
Clubs, such as Student Council, Book Club, Homework Club, Lego Building Club, Spirit Squad, Studio Club, and more may be offered at the school. Contact your school for specific club offerings.
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Interscholastic Sports
Interscholastic Sports teams compete against other District 15 junior high schools as well as other junior high schools from nearby school districts.
Please click here to learn more about CCSD15 Junior High Interscholastic Sports Programs:
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Illinois Education School Association (IESA)
District 15 participates in IESA for Cross Country and Track and Field. IESA membership allows those student athletes that qualify for extended competition in these sports to continue their season through a sectional, regional, and state level series of competitions. As such, student athletes from Cross Country and Track and Field may have the opportunity to compete against the highest performing junior high athletes across the state.
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Music
General music classes are offered as enrichments at the junior high and meet during the day. Students may sign up for partial- or full-year enrichments that teach musical elements and music appreciation.
- 7th Grade Music—The goal of this course is to give students a lifelong appreciation and understanding of the arts. Students will review the basics of music notation, learn the elements of music, and explore music history. Student musicians will create, perform, and respond to music. This is achieved through authentic instruction using guitar, keyboards, voice, and music technology. Students will make connections to music through a variety of musical styles and genres.
- 8th Grade Music—This semester-long music course is unique to eighth graders. The focus is music technology or how music is used in and created for everyday life. Web-based applications, similar to Garage Band, on Chromebooks and/or iPads are used for a variety of project-based learning experiences. These projects are constantly evolving as new applications are created. Some project examples are: creating new music, remixing existing music, producing radio commercials, and even generating a soundtrack for a short film. In addition, students may have the opportunity to form their own rock band to compose and perform an original song. Through these projects and others, students gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the music they hear every day, as well as skills that can be used in future projects and presentations in high school, college, and the workplace.
- 7th Grade Music—The goal of this course is to give students a lifelong appreciation and understanding of the arts. Students will review the basics of music notation, learn the elements of music, and explore music history. Student musicians will create, perform, and respond to music. This is achieved through authentic instruction using guitar, keyboards, voice, and music technology. Students will make connections to music through a variety of musical styles and genres.
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Orchestra
Orchestra is offered as an enrichment at the junior high and meets during the day. Students may sign up for partial- or full-year enrichment that teaches musical elements and music appreciation. Orchestra students also receive a small group 30-minute lesson once a week on a rotating basis.
- 7th Grade Orchestra—Offered as a seventh-grade enrichment class to all students who have successfully completed intermediate orchestra. Through the instrumental performance experience, students will prepare a variety of genres and styles of music that make connections to their lives. Through the study of different time periods and styles, students will understand music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze, and discuss concepts. The seventh grade orchestra meets every day throughout the school year. Students are also required to attend one small-group lesson per week on a rotating schedule. The seventh-grade orchestra performs at various events throughout the school year. Students are offered the opportunity to participate in various festivals and competitions.
- 8th Grade Orchestra—Offered as an eighth-grade enrichment class to all students who have successfully completed seventh-grade orchestra. Through the instrumental performance experience, students will prepare a progressively more advanced variety of genres and styles of music that make connections to their lives. Through the course, eighth-grade students will develop a relatively more advanced understanding of music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze, and discuss concepts. The eighth-grade orchestra meets every day throughout the school year. Students are also required to attend one small-group lesson per week on a rotating schedule. The eighth-grade orchestra performs at various events throughout the school year. Throughout the year, students are offered the opportunity to participate in various festivals and competitions. Eighth grade students will also have the opportunity to make connections with their appropriate high school orchestra program, teachers, and students.
- 7th Grade Orchestra—Offered as a seventh-grade enrichment class to all students who have successfully completed intermediate orchestra. Through the instrumental performance experience, students will prepare a variety of genres and styles of music that make connections to their lives. Through the study of different time periods and styles, students will understand music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze, and discuss concepts. The seventh grade orchestra meets every day throughout the school year. Students are also required to attend one small-group lesson per week on a rotating schedule. The seventh-grade orchestra performs at various events throughout the school year. Students are offered the opportunity to participate in various festivals and competitions.
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Special Olympics
District 15 Special Olympics provides sports training and competition in a variety of sports for children ages 8-15 having a variety of disabilities. These sports provide opportunities to develop physical fitness; the development of leisure skills; the enjoyment of learning new skills; the experience of working with their peers and being a part of a team while making friends and improving social interactions.
District 15 Special Olympics team, the Blue Jays, participate in six sports on nine teams: Basketball, Track & Field, Bowling, Snowshoeing, Soccer, and Tennis.
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Spelling Bees
Grades 7-8 participate in grade-level Spelling Bees. Grade-level winners progress to their school bees, and the winner from each building participates in the District 15 Annual Spelling Bee which includes students from Grades 4-8.