From Pre-K through 12th grade, in plain language. Pick a grade to see standards, materials, and assessments — what your student should know, what they're using, and how we measure progress.
This is the intro paragraph that runs above the K-12 timeline. The timeline itself reads from a separate Sheet — see docs/academics-spec.md for the Sheet schema.
ISR is 5 minutes — Doc edits propagate within that window.
Montesano students move through three buildings on their way from preschool to graduation: Beacon Elementary for PreK–2, Simpson Elementary for grades 3–6, and Monte Jr./Sr. High for grades 7–12.
The page below shows what students learn at each grade — the plain-language version, written for families. Pick a grade from the row of tiles to see the standards, materials, and assessments that grade.
Each grade panel has three things:
Montesano follows the Washington State Learning Standards — the same standards every public school in the state uses. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) sets these for English language arts, math, science, social studies, the arts, health, and world languages.
Where you see "What students learn" on this page, we're translating those formal standards into language you can use to talk with your child about school. If you want the formal version, OSPI publishes the full standards on their website at ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/learning-standards-instructional-materials.
Our teachers work from a shared instructional framework that emphasizes clear learning targets, evidence-based teaching, and regular check-ins on student progress. Curriculum, standards alignment, and the framework itself are reviewed each year by the Teaching & Learning office in partnership with department leads at each building.
For curriculum questions, contact Stephanie Klinger, Director of CTE, Curriculum, and HR, at the District Office: 502 E. Spruce Avenue, (360) 249-3942.
For day-to-day classroom questions, your child's teacher is the right first stop. Each school's family handbook explains how teachers prefer to communicate.
9 subject areas · what your student learns this year
9th grade English builds the foundation for HS analysis and argument. Students read across genres, write extended argument and analysis essays, and conduct research with proper citation. Earns 1 of 4 required English credits for graduation.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)
Most 9th graders take Algebra 1 (linear and quadratic functions, systems, exponents). Accelerated students may take Geometry. WA requires 3 math credits for graduation; Algebra 1 + Geometry + Algebra 2 (or alternative pathways) is the typical sequence.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)
Typical 9th-grade Science is Physical Science or Biology depending on track. WA requires 3 science credits (2 lab) for graduation.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)
Typical 9th-grade Social Studies is World History, World Geography, or Pacific Rim. WA requires 3 social studies credits + Civics.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)
WA universities typically require 2 years of the same world language. Most students start in 9th grade.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)
Career and Technical Education electives -- students can begin CTE pathways in 9th grade. Many CTE courses earn dual high school + college credit.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)
WA requires 2 arts credits for graduation. Options typically include Band, Choir, Drama, Visual Arts, and Yearbook.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)
WA requires 2 PE credits and 0.5 Health credits for graduation. Most students complete one PE credit and Health in 9th grade.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)
9th graders are typically NOT yet eligible for Running Start (juniors and seniors only). A small number of 9th graders may enroll in introductory AP courses (e.g., AP Human Geography) where the school offers it.
Coming soon...
Classroom + course-level assessments; PSAT (October)