Deer Creek Middle School

Jeffco Public Schools

Deer Creek offers two pathways for students: STEM and Humanities.  Pathways lay out a set of courses to provide specific learning in key areas, through a combination of courses that are exclusive to the pathway and courses that are open to all students.  6th grade introduces students to a variety of exploratory courses in addition to core subjects of English Language Arts, Math , Science, and Social Studies.  As students progress through 7th and 8th grade, more elective choices are available in both the pathway and among general electives.

STEM 

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathway at Deer Creek focuses on providing students with experiences in engineering and technology beyond the core contents of science and math.  Through the engineering design cycle, students learn the process of ask, research, imagine, plan, create, test, improve, as they work on projects in the engineering classroom.  Both virtual and hands-on projects teach and reinforce the Generations skills of Critical & Creative Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Self-Direction, and Agility & Adaptability. Technology tools are combined with immediate application through the stages of design and fabrication.  

The Three-Year STEM Pathway

6th grade begins the STEM pathway with the four core subjects of English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, introduction courses in engineering and technology, and additional 6th grade exploratory courses. Each student has two daily exploratory periods, taking two classes each trimester.  The STEM pathway courses are Introduction to STEM and Communications Technology.   In addition, students take a variety of 6th grade exploratory classes, including art, world cultures, family & consumer science, and physical education, as well as the option of choir, band or orchestra.

Year Two continues with the four core subjects and additional STEM and general electives. 7th grade includes a total of six elective courses:

• Mechanics of Engineering
• One course from the Technology electives
• One course from the Communication electives
• Three general electives

To see all the electives offered for 7th grade, visit our 7th grade STEM Course Guide.

Year Three for 8th graders continues with the four core subjects and two electives each trimester. There are no electives required for the STEM pathway in 8th grade, giving students the most freedom to personalize their learning by choosing from 40 pathway and general electives. Among those electives are many STEM-related offerings, including:

 For the full catalog of 8th grade electives, visit our 8th grade Course Guide.

Humanities 

The Humanities pathway at Deer Creek focuses on providing students with experiences in the arts, cultures, and communications beyond the core contents of language arts and social studies.  With over 50 exploratory and elective courses available to students in the Humanities pathway, students can tailor their learning and experiences to meet their personal, educational, and career interests. Through an array of project and elective options, students develop the Generations skills of Civic & Global Engagement, Critical & Creative Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Self-Direction, and Agility & Adaptability.   

The Three-Year Humanities Pathway

6th grade begins the Humanities pathway with the four core subjects of English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, introduction courses in world languages and cultures, and additional 6th grade exploratory courses. Each student has two daily exploratory periods, taking two classes each trimester.  The Humanities exploratory courses are World Languages & Cultures and Cultures & Commerce.   In addition, students take a variety of 6th grade exploratory classes, including art, technology, family & consumer science, and physical education, as well as the option of choir, band or orchestra.

Year Two continues with the four core subjects and additional electives across four categories. 7th grade includes a total of six elective courses:

• One course from the Fine & Performing Arts electives
• One course from the Health & Applied Arts electives
• One course from the Communication electives
• One course from the Language & Cultures electives
• Two general electives

To see all the electives offered for 7th grade, visit our 7th grade Humanities Course Guide.

Year Three for 8th graders continues with the four core subjects and two electives each trimester. There are no electives required in 8th grade for the Humanities pathway, giving students the most freedom to personalize their learning by choosing from 40 pathway and general electives. Among those electives are many Humanities-related offerings, including:

• Applied Imagination
• History Alive
• Publication: Yearbook
• True Crime
• Digital Design
• Audio/Visual Production
• Metal Jewelry
• Visual Arts 1 & 2
• Creative Writing
• Short Stories
• Literature & Film
• Mythology & Folklore
• Family & Consumer Science
• Foods & Nutrition
• Cultural Cooking
• Mentorship
• French 1 & 2
• Spanish 1 & 2
• Choir and Advanced Choir
• Concert Band and Symphonic Band
• Orchestra

 For the full catalog of 8th grade electives, visit our 8th grade Course Guide.