SCIENCE
Leading the Pack in Science Acceleration
“To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.”
Westwood provides another innovative option for students to take a fast-paced course that propels them through two years of advanced Science in one challenging year. In Accelerated Science, students investigate broad questions at a depth that leads them to crucial discoveries and prepares them for success on the 8th grade Science STAAR test, which they take at the end of 7th grade. Students are ready to step up into high school credit-bearing science classes during their 8th grade year and beyond.
Option 1
7th Grade – Science 7, Advanced
8th Grade – Science 8, Advanced
Option 2
7th Grade – Accelerated Science 7|8, Advanced
8th Grade – High School Credit Science Class
All science classes are Advanced; Science 7 & 8 offer GT.
Additional Elective Opportunities and future Magnet Programming
Math-Based Science is an elective students can taken within the Math or Science Strands of Westwood.
7th Grade – Math-Based Science Exploration is a 7th grade elective also open to students within the Math or Science magnet strand—it enhances student creativity, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of math, science and engineering.
Computer Science is a future two-year magnet program to be offered within the Science Strand at Westwood. Starting the 2026-27 school year, students can take the first segment of the Computer Science program in 7th grade, which will lead to an 8th grade course.
7th Grade – Fundamentals of Computer Science fosters creativity and innovation within design, solving real-world problems.
Health Science is a future, two-year magnet program to be offered within the Science Strand at Westwood. Currently, Medical Terminology is a segment of Health Science that students can take in 8th grade.
8th Grade – Medical Terminology is another unique elective offered at 8th grade. The course integrates elements of the science and medical fields designed to develop a working knowledge of the language of medicine. Students complete the course with 1 HS credit, equipped for the District’s high school CTE Healthcare program.
