Academic Advising & Course Selection
Course Catalogs, selection sheets, pacing, sequencing, process guides and more
General Academic Advising Resources
Grade specific information can be found further down on this page.
Overview of Middle School Curriculum
Each student at Carson Middle School will take seven classes each semester. Five of the seven periods are filled with courses that are required for all students: English, math, social studies, science, and physical education. The remaining two periods are filled with a combination of yearlong and/or semester courses from the following departments: visual or performing arts, business and information technology, family and consumer science, world languages, and engineering.
To supplement the regular education curriculum, several courses are offered to give students additional support in developing English and math skills necessary for success at the high school level. Carson Middle School also provides ESOL and SPED classes to support students’ academic needs.
For more detailed information on courses offered at Carson Middle School, view the course catalog and the information below.
Timeline of Academic Advising
| Date | Activity | Student Group |
| December 2, 2024 | Elementary Counselors Visit RCMS to hear about Course Selection Process | Rising 7th |
| January 6th-15th | Rachel Carson Counselors Visit Feeder Elementary Schools | Rising 7th |
| January 8, 2025 | Westfield High School Curriculum Night Chantilly High School Curriculum Night 5:00-8:00pm | Rising 9th |
| January 9, 2025 | Oakton High School Curriculum Night 4:30-6:30pm South Lakes High School Curriculum Night 6:30pm Herndon High School Curriculum Night 6:30pm | Rising 9th |
| January 9, 2025 | High School Course Selection Overview Presentation by Oakton, Chantilly, Westfield, Herndon, South Lakes high school counselors through Panther Time Classes | Rising 9th |
| January 9, 2025 | Middle School Course Selection Overview Presentation through Panther Time classes | Rising 8th |
| January 16, 2025 *Snow Date January 23 | Rachel Carson Middle School Curriculum Night | Rising 7th |
| January 21 & 22, 2025 | Academic Advising Presentation for Rising 8th students in Science Class | Rising 8th |
| January 23 & 24, 2025 | Academic Advising Presentation for Rising 9th students in Science Class | Rising 9th |
| January 27-February 28, 2025 | 1:1 Academic Advising for Rising 8th students with School Counselors through Science Class | Rising 8th |
| February 12-14, 2025 | Elementary Schools Visit to RCMS (Student Tour and Orientation) | Rising 7th |
| February 3-28. 2025 | 1:1 Academic Advising for Rising 9th students with School Counselors through Science classes | Rising 9th |
| April 4, 2025 | Student Services Family Workshop presents: Transition to Middle School 9:00-10:00 | Rising 7th |
Course Catalog Booklet
7th and 8th grade course catalog - 2025-2026 Course Catalog
Electives Video
You can view videos from some of our Core and Elective teachers: Core and Electives Video.
Multilingual Learners/ESOL Program
You can learn about our program for Multilingual learners with this video.
Special Education Program
Coming Soon!
Mathematics Program
Taking Honors Classes
Are you interested in taking honors classes in middle school? Check out this helpful information!
7th Grade Course Catalog
8th Grade Course Catalog
General Academic Advising Information for All Carson Students
Advanced Academics in Middle School
FCPS Graduation Requirements
Rising 7th Grade
Rising 7th Grade Academic Advising Information
Online Course Catalog (Rising 7th)
7th Grade Course Selection Online
Sample Course Selection Sheet (Rising 7th)
This is a sample only. Please do not use this sample sheet to submit selections. Elementary school Counselors will provide your student with the official selection sheet.
Student Survival Guide for the Transition to Middle School
Check out our Middle School Survival Guide
Panther Pathways Booklet
Descriptions of Elective Courses can be found in our Panther Pathways Booklet
Curriculum Night Information
Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night Presentation
You can view this Curriculum Night presentation prior to attending our Curriculum Night Open House on January 16.
Core and Elective Videos
You can view videos from some of our Core and Elective teachers: Core and Electives Video.
How to Enter your Course Selection in a Google Form
For our current 6th graders, you will be entering your course selection in a Google Form. Watch this video for directions on this process.
Rising 8th Grade
Rising 8th Grade Academic Advising Information
Online Course Catalog (Rising 8th)
Online Course Catalog for 8th Grade
Course Selection Sheet (Rising 8th)
This is a sample only. Please do not use this sample sheet to submit selections. Elementary school Counselors will provide your student with the official selection sheet.
Panther Pathways
Descriptions of Elective Courses can be found in our Panther Pathways Booklet
Core and Elective Videos
You can view videos from some of our Core and Elective teachers: Core and Electives Video.
How to Enter your Course Selection in StudentVue
For our current 7th and 8th graders, you will be entering your course selections in StudentVue. Watch this video for directions on this process.
Rising 9th Grade
Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising Information
Westfield
Westfield High School Curriculum Night is on January 8, 2025.
You can access Westfield High School's Academic Advising information here.
Chantilly
Chantilly High School Curriculum Night is January 8, 2025 from 5:00-8:00pm.
5:00 - 5:45 - Introduction to Chantilly HS (Library) This program will be presented in the library and will be offered in English, Korean, and Spanish. It is geared towards parents/guardians whose home language is not English.
6:00 - 6:45 - Welcome to Chantilly HS (Auditorium) This program will be presented in English and is geared towards parents of rising 9th graders. It includes staff introductions, course progression and balance, and a student panel. Spanish and Korean translations will be available.
7:00 - 8:00 PM - Curriculum Fair (Library, Lecture Hall, and Cafeteria) Rising 9th-12th graders and their parents are invited to learn more about the course offerings at Chantilly HS and Chantilly Academy by talking with students and teachers.
You can access Chantilly High School's Academic Advising information here.
Oakton
Oakton High School Curriculum Night is January 9, 2025 from 4:30-6:30pm.
You can access Oakton High School's Academic Advising Information here.
South Lakes
South Lakes High School Curriculum Night is January 9, 2025 at 6:30pm.
You can access South Lakes High School's Academic Advising Information here.
Herndon
Herndon High School Curriculum Night is January 9, 2025 at 6:30pm.
You can access Herndon High School's Academic Advising Information here.
How to Enter your Course Selection in StudentVue
For our current 7th and 8th graders, you will be entering your course selections in StudentVue. Watch this video for directions on this process.