Newell Barney College Prep is raising the standards for its students by offering more challenging learning experiences through honors classes, advanced curriculum, and exciting Project Lead the Way (PLTW) electives. These programs, added in the 2024–2025 school year, are designed to prepare students for success, not only in high school but also in college and future career paths. By creating more choices for motivated learners, the school is helping students discover their passions while pushing themselves academically.
One of the biggest changes at Newell Barney was the implementation of required honors and accelerated classes. Students can now challenge themselves in core subjects such as math, science, language arts, and social studies. Honors courses move at a faster pace, cover more complex material, and ask students to think critically about the information they are learning. These classes are meant to prepare scholars for high school Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment courses.
Many junior high students are excited about the opportunity to enhance their skills, knowing it will help them gain confidence and get ahead in their education. Our students will begin high school with four credits – Spanish I, Spanish II, Algebra I, and Physical Science. 8th-grade student Avery Bowen shared her opinion on how these courses have affected her learning:
“I enjoy the honors classes we have at Newell Barney College Prep because they always push me to do harder [things] and overcome challenges.”
In addition to honors classes, Newell Barney has also expanded its Project Lead the Way electives, which focus on hands-on, project-based learning. These electives introduce students to STEM fields such as engineering, architecture, computer science, and biomedical science. Instead of reading about ideas in a textbook, students are prompted to solve real-world problems by experimenting, building, and cooperating with teams. For example, students might design aerodynamic skimmers, blueprints of homes, 3D models on computer programs, or dissect parts of animals.
PLTW electives include green architecture, design and modeling, robotics, and medical detectives. They prepare students for potential careers and also show them how what they are learning in the classroom connects to their daily life.
Parents believe that both the honors courses and the PLTW electives help students grow in important ways. Honors classes push students academically, while PLTW electives encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Together, these programs give students a balanced education that values both hard work and innovation.
The detailed curriculum shows how dedicated Newell Barney College Prep and their staff are to their students’ success and enrichment. By offering more advanced opportunities, the school is inspiring students to aim higher, work harder, and strive for excellence while teaching them the knowledge and skills they will carry into their future.
Written By: Adriana Gardner, NBCP Student