Academics

Morgan Hill Unified School District’s middle grade programs are offered at two traditional middle schools, Britton and Martin Murphy (grades 6–8), as well as two TK/K–8 Focus Academies: Jackson Academy of Math & Music and San Martin/Gwinn Environmental Science Academy. All sites provide rigorous, standards-based instruction along with electives such as music, art, technology, and world languages. Students can participate in athletics, clubs, and leadership opportunities, and benefit from academic supports and enrichment activities. The district’s middle-grade programs focus on preparing students for high school through strong academics, social-emotional learning, and opportunities to explore specialized interests.

Middle School Curriculum

In MHUSD middle schools, a guaranteed and viable curriculum ensures all students receive the same high-quality instruction aligned to California State Standards, with essential skills and concepts clearly identified and taught consistently across schools. These skills can be mastered within the school year and are supported by the time, resources, and training teachers need. This approach promotes consistency, clarity, and focus in instruction, helping students strengthen their academic foundation, develop critical thinking, and be well prepared for high school and beyond.

Adopted Core Instructional Materials

MHUSD's Core Instructional Materials Adoption Process

English Language Arts (ELA)

McGraw-Hill StudySync
Novel List: MHUSD School Board Approved 6th-12th Grade Novel List

English Language Development (ELD)

McGraw-Hill StudySync

Spanish Language Arts (SLA) Standards

2018 SAVVAS Learning Co. Autentico

Mathematics

Sixth Grade: College Preparatory Math (CPM) Core Connections, Course I
Seventh Grade: College Preparatory Math (CPM) Core Connections, Course II
Eighth Grade: College Preparatory Math (CPM) Core Connections, Course III

History/Social Science

Sixth Grade: TCI, History Alive! The Ancient World
Seventh Grade: TCI, History Alive! The Medieval World
Eighth Grade: TCI, History Alive! The United States Through Industrialism

Science

2020 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt CA Science Dimensions

Physical Education

Human Growth and Development (7th Grade Only)

2020 Positive Prevention Plus Middle School

California Standards and Instructional Frameworks

California’s Content Standards

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts — adopted August 2010 (updated March 2013)
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics — same adoption period
California English Language Development (ELD) Standards — adopted November 2012
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) — adopted September 2013
Preschool/TK Learning Foundations (PTKLF) — adopted January 2008 (updated November 2024)
Health Education Standards — adopted March 2008

California’s Curriculum Frameworks (TK–Grade 12)

Arts Education Framework — adopted July 2020
Career Technical Education Framework
English Language Arts and English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework — adopted July 2014
Health Education Framework — adopted May 2019
History–Social Science Framework — adopted July 2016
Mathematics Framework — adopted July 2023
Physical Education Framework — adopted September 2008
Science Framework — adopted November 2016
World Languages Framework — adopted July 2020

Electives

Middle School Instruction

Instructional frameworks give teachers and schools a shared roadmap for effective teaching and learning. They create consistency, set clear expectations, and align instruction with district goals so every student has access to high-quality education. MHUSD's key frameworks are listed below.

5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning - Student Engagement

The 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning framework describes the key elements of effective instruction in classrooms: Purpose, Student Engagement, Curriculum & Pedagogy, Assessment for Student Learning, and Classroom Environment & Culture.

Student Engagement is at the heart of this framework for middle school students. It means students are not only on task but are thinking, asking questions, making connections, and feeling excited to learn. Engaged students are more likely to develop strong academic skills and cultivate a lasting love of learning that extends far beyond the school years.

In a middle school classroom, using the 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning with a focus on Student Engagement means instruction should be:

Purposeful and relevant – Lessons have a clear “why” that connects to real-world issues, student interests, and prior knowledge, helping adolescents see value in what they are learning.
Challenging and thought-provoking – Activities require critical thinking, problem-solving, and application of skills, encouraging students to stretch beyond surface-level answers.
Responsive to varied needs – Instruction is adapted to different readiness levels, language abilities, and learning preferences, using strategies like differentiated tasks, targeted supports, and flexible grouping.
Collaborative and discussion-based – Students work together to explore ideas, debate perspectives, and explain their thinking, building communication and teamwork skills.
Feedback-driven – Teachers provide timely, specific feedback that helps students track their progress, reflect on their work, and set goals for improvement.
Grounded in a positive classroom culture – Routines and relationships support a safe, inclusive space where students feel respected, heard, and willing to take academic risks.

In short, it shifts instruction from passively receiving information to actively engaging with content, so students are motivated, thinking deeply, and taking ownership of their learning.

Inclusive Practices

Inclusion in middle school means students of all abilities and learning needs learn together in the general education setting, with the right supports in place to help each student succeed. It values diversity as a strength and ensures every student has access to the same curriculum, opportunities, and high expectations.

In an inclusive middle school classroom:

Belonging matters – Every student is recognized as a valued member of the learning community.
Learning is accessible – Instruction is adapted through strategies, accommodations, and modifications so all students can participate meaningfully.
Collaboration is key – General education teachers, special education teachers, and specialists work together to plan lessons and provide support.
High expectations for all – Students are challenged appropriately, with goals that stretch their skills while building confidence.

Inclusion at the middle school level helps students develop academic skills, independence, and strong peer relationships while preparing them for success in high school and beyond.

Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching approach that ensures all students, no matter their abilities, background, or learning style, have equal opportunities to succeed. In middle school, it means planning lessons with flexibility from the start so students can access information, engage with it meaningfully, and demonstrate their learning in different ways.

In practice, UDL in middle school looks like:

Multiple ways to learn – Teachers combine lectures, visuals, videos, hands-on activities, technology, and real-world examples.
Multiple ways to participate – Students might collaborate in groups, work independently, join discussions, create projects, or use digital tools.
Multiple ways to show understanding – Students can choose to write essays, give presentations, design models, create videos, or use other formats to demonstrate mastery.
Built-in supports – Lessons include scaffolds like guided notes, graphic organizers, vocabulary supports, and flexible pacing so all students can access challenging content.

By applying UDL, middle school teachers create classrooms where students stay engaged, take ownership of their learning, and can show what they know in ways that play to their strengths.

Instructional Minutes

State law sets minimum daily and annual instructional time for middle school grades, not including lunch or passing periods.

Daily Minimum

Grades 4–8: At least 240 instructional minutes per day

Annual Minimum

Grades 4–8: 54,000 instructional minutes per year

Physical Education

Grades 4–6 must receive 200 minutes of PE instruction every 10 school days.
Grades 7–8 must receive 400 minutes of PE instruction every 10 school days.

MHUSD Middle School Instructional Minutes (Grades 6-8)
	Regular Day	Collaboration	Minimum Day
Daily Instructional Minutes	339	277	240
Annual Total	48,138	10,249	240

Visit each school's website to view their individual Bell Schedules.

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