Middle School
Who We Are
Mater Bay Academy Middle School is an A-rated public charter school dedicated to academic excellence, character development, and whole-child education. We serve students in grades 6th - 8th in a warm, structured environment where every child is known, challenged, and inspired. Our mission is to deliver a rigorous, innovative academic program that produces self-directed, lifelong learners. By integrating technology and diverse educational resources within a safe setting, we expect all students to perform at or above grade level and to develop the skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Mater Academy Cutler Bay Middle & High uses the following curriculum:
Math - Carnegie Learning, Grades 6-12
Combining learning through textbooks and math learning software for grades 6-12 written and designed to align to a Common Core or Integrated pathway.
English Language Arts (ELA) - StudySync, Grades 6-12
StudySync is a comprehensive English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum designed for students in grades 6 through 12, aligned to the Florida State Standards. Developed by McGraw Hill, it offers a blend of traditional and digital resources to engage today's diverse learners.
Key Features of StudySync:
Extensive Literary Library: The program boasts a collection of over 2,000 classic and contemporary texts, including works in both English and Spanish, ensuring a rich and diverse reading experience.
Integrated Skill Development: StudySync emphasizes the development of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through structured lessons and activities. It incorporates rigorous reading routines, such as initial reads to spark curiosity and close reads to deepen comprehension.
Differentiated Instruction: Recognizing the varied learning styles and skill levels in classrooms, the curriculum offers scaffolding tools and resources tailored to individual student needs. This includes support for English Language Learners (ELLs) with explicit vocabulary instruction and language acquisition techniques.
Assessment and Progress Monitoring: The platform provides a range of assessments—including screening, diagnostic, formative, and summative—to guide instruction and monitor student progress toward standards mastery. Teachers can utilize data tracking tools to inform instruction and provide remediation as needed.
Multimedia and Technology Integration: StudySync incorporates multimedia resources like movie-like trailers and student-led skills videos to bring content to life. Its browser-based platform is accessible on any device, and the StudySync Mobile App allows for offline access, ensuring flexibility in various learning environments.
Collaborative Learning Opportunities: Features such as StudySync TV episodes and social media-style "Blasts" encourage student collaboration and engagement, fostering a dynamic and interactive classroom experience.
Social Studies -
6th Grade - Discovering Our Past: A History of the United States, McGraw Hill
This interactive print worktext is built around essential questions and permits students to develop their inquiry skills using analysis, primary sources, and evidence-based writing. Each chapter culminates in a Taking Action activity designed to translate learning into informed action.
7th Grade - Civics (EOC) - Building Citizenship - Civics & Economics, McGraw Hill
Prepares students for citizenship in today's world by showing students how people, the economy, and government work to create a society. State mandated End-of-Year Exam must be proficient and meets up to 30% of the overall class grade.
8th Grade - Discovering our Past: A History of the World, McGraw Hill
The curriculum brings the sweep of historical events into focus as people, issues and events come to life for today's students. The program includes a strong emphasis on building vocabulary as well as tools for developing strong reading skills.
9th Grade - United States History, Pearson Florida edition
Invites students to explore the enduring issues that continue to shape our country. MyStory videos, developed in partnership with NBC Learn, open each chapter and encourage Florida students to engage in the personal story of an individual whose life is related to the content.
Science, Pearson
Phenomena-based learning uses inquiry to engage students in “doing” science. It’s the K-8 science program that starts with real-world, observable phenomena, like weather, robots, oil spills, and space travel. It’s authentic science, science that gets students questioning, problem solving, and engineering solutions through inquiry and evidence.
Biology, Miller & Levine
This blended print and digital curriculum immerses students in biological inquiry. Students think, investigate, and talk about biology. They interact with natural phenomena through problem-based learning, research, and lab experiments.
Physical Science, Pearson
This curriculum helps students make the important connection between the science they read and what they experience every day. Relevant content, lively explorations, and a wealth of hands-on activities take students' understanding of science beyond the page and into the world around them.
Educational Technology Programs:
Mater Academy Cutler Bay implements a technology-rich environment within all academic areas. Throughout the Mater Academy Cutler Bay campus, students are exposed to the most researched-based teaching practices and latest high-tech tools, including interactive Promethean boards. Students work on state-of-the art computers in every classroom and also have access to a variety of educational resources.
iReady for Reading and Math
Provides instruction, practice and assessment on research-based skills tailored for reading and math development, while providing individualized targeted and adaptive content with structured support.