Future Wolverines

Dear Future Zachry Families,

Hello! I’m Veronica Poblano, the Principal of Zachry & Zachry Magnet Middle School, and I’m excited to connect with you as we look forward to the upcoming transition events for our future Wolverines. As I start my fifth year at Zachry this December 2026, I want to emphasize how much I value building strong partnerships with our students, staff, and families. Together, we can create a welcoming and positive campus culture where every student has a fantastic middle school experience.

Having spent 18 years at various NISD middle schools and being a first-time middle school parent two years ago, I understand that this stage brings a mix of emotions. My goal is to keep you informed and engaged, so you can have meaningful conversations with your child about their middle school registration.

It may seem early to be talking about 6th grade, but we want to ensure there’s plenty of time for you to make informed decisions about course selection.

Thank you for taking the time to explore all the transition information. I also invite you to join us on our social media accounts, linked at the bottom of the newsletter, so you can stay up-to-date with all the learning and fun happening at our school!

I can't wait to meet you and your child and welcome you to the Zachry community!

Your Future Proud Principal,
Veronica Poblano

#WeAreZachry

We know that strong support is key to student success! While a typical NISD middle school has four administrators, our structure as a comprehensive and magnet campus (Zachry and Zachry Magnet) allows us to dedicate a total of six administrators to ensuring every Wolverine receives the attention they need.

Hello Wolverine Families,

Your Zachry Counselors have been visiting elementaries, and helping answer questions about the many wonders/excitements of middle school.

Please take the time to review the course card to help them make the best decisions for their first year of middle school. Please see our contact information below as we can also help support questions.

Thinking about middle school can bring up a lot of questions—and maybe even a few butterflies for our Future Wolverines! We want them and you (as their guardians) to feel confident and ready. That’s why we asked our current Wolverines to share their honest experiences.

In this video, you’ll hear all about their current middle school experience as a Wolverine! It’s real talk from students who were in your son/daughter's shoes just last year!

Click the link below to see how much fun middle school really is!

• Principal and Counselors visit the elementary schools.
• November 5, 2026 - Raba ES
• November 6, 2026 - Burke ES
• November 9, 2026 - Fernandez ES
• November 16, 2026 - NW Crossing ES
• November 17, 2026 - Knowlton ES

• Camp Zachry
• Future Wolverines will take a field trip to Zachry to get familiar with their new campus, take a tour, and see some of our current Wolverines in action.
• Permission slips will be given our by each elementary school's 5th grade teachers. Please see your child's campus for additional details.
• Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 - NW Crossing, Raba, Knowlton
  
• Wednesday, Dec 2, 2026 - Burke, Fernandez

• Course Registration for 6th Grade Classes
• Course registration will happen with the 5th Grade Counselor at each elementary school in the month of December.
• Please see your child's elementary campus for additional details.

We would love for you to join us for our upcoming Spring Events.

Dec 7, 2026 - Sign Up for a Campus Tour

Jan 3, 2027 - Sign Up for a Campus Tour

April 2, 2027 - Spring Community Event

Future Wolverines! Register for a tour of our campus on Monday December 7th at 4:15 or Monday January 3rd (Student Holiday) at 3:30.

This tour is to help parents become familiar with campus and to help answer questions for the transition from elementary to middle school. Tours will be led by the Zachry Middle School Counseling Department. SIGN UP REQUIRED TO ATTEND

Calling all Future Wolverines and their families.

Join us for a "taste" of the Wolverine Experience and Fun!

All students take the following courses:

• ELA
• Math
• Science
• Social Studies
• Advisory
• 1 Fine Arts Elective
• Fitness & Team Sports (1 semester)
• Healthy Habits (1 semester)

All students at Zachry have a schedule that has 8 periods, however, they only go to 7 classes. The reasoning is because in 6th grade their ELA class is 2 periods.

Below is are SAMPLES of a 6th grade schedule. A few items to keep in mind -

• The ELA course is both 01 & 02 periods for this sample schedule.
• Fitness and Team Sports is known in Elementary as PE.
• Fitness and Team Sports is ONLY a semester long. The other semester is replaced by a course called Healthy Habits.

World Cultures 6

• In this course, students will study people, places, and societies of the contemporary world. In addition, they will study the influence of individuals and groups on historical and contemporary events in those societies, and identify the locations and geographic characteristics of various societies. Students will learn the different ways of organizing economic and governmental systems. They will study the concepts of limited and unlimited government, and describe the nature of citizenship in various societies. Students will compare institutions common to all societies such as government, education, and religious institutions. Students will also learn how the level of technology affects the development of various societies

Science 6

• In 6th grade Science, students investigate the natural world using scientific and engineering practices. Using appropriate tools and models, students conduct investigations to answer questions, explain phenomena, identify problems and design solutions. Students will study a variety of topics that include classification of elements, types of mixtures, density of fluids, evidence of chemical change, Newton’s Third Law of Motion, energy (forms of potential energy, energy transformations, conservation of energy), cycles within Sun, Earth, and Moon systems (seasons, tides), organization of the geosphere (resource management), cells, organization of ecosystems, variation within organisms, and relationships/interactions between organisms including abiotic/biotic factors within an ecosystem.
  

PE: Fitness and Team Sports (1 semester)

• In sixth grade PE, students will gain awareness and understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health while developing the knowledge and skills for both team and individual sports. There will be options throughout this one semester course for non-competitive and competitive activities. Noncompetitive activities include a variety of recreational and outdoor sports such as rock climbing, lacrosse, mountain biking, and activities that promote enjoyment and success. Competitive activities will enhance skills through various activities that will provide a preview for UIL sports such as football, volleyball and basketball. All students receiving PE credit will take a fitness assessment to determine cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal strength, trunk extension, and body mass.
  

Healthy Habits (1 semester)

• Healthy Habits is a one-semester course designed to empower 6th grade students to maintain and improve their health and wellness by developing skills, attitudes, and knowledge necessary to improve quality of life. Students will learn the process of goal setting and decision making as well as interpersonal communication, self-management, and self-advocacy. Students will explore how behaviors influence their health and well-being and demonstrate skill application and acquire knowledge to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• ELA 6
• Advanced ELA 6

To learn more about these options read below.

ELA 6 Course

• ELA 6 (#1061) Middle School English Language Arts is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Strategies for listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts are integrated daily to create a literacy-rich classroom which promotes engaging, student-centered learning. Through the communication of ideas, orally and in writing, students continue to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers. The primary goals of this course are to cultivate independent learning, encourage in-depth inquiry, and exploration of the content, and develop the habits necessary for academic success.

Advanced ELA 6 Course

• This course is designed to prepare and motivate middle school students for Advanced and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. This is in addition to the grade-level expectations of the Middle School English Language Arts classroom. Students have multiple opportunities to develop communication and analytical skills in an academically challenging course of study. As a preparation for Advanced Placement English courses in high school, this course adds a focus on literary analysis in reading, writing, and speaking.
  

The Math Course has two course options to choose from. The two options are -

• Math 6
• Advanced Math 6

To learn more about these options read below.

Math 6 Course

• The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation for students to solve problems using numbers and operations, proportionality, expressions, equations, relationships, and measurement and data. The students will utilize process standards to weave knowledge and skills together to be successful problem solvers and use mathematics efficiently and effectively in daily life.
  

Advanced Math 6 Course

• The primary focal areas in this course are numeracy, proportionality, expressions, equations, relationships, and data science. The students will utilize process standards to weave knowledge and skills together to be successful problem solvers and use mathematics efficiently and effectively in daily life. This course will build a foundation for the Advanced Math 7 course. Students enrolled in this course will take STAAR Math 6.This course is designed to extend the 6th Math curriculum into aligned 7th grade TEKS, emphasizing complex problem solving through the lens of numbers and operations, proportionality, expressions, equations, relationships, and measurement and data. The students will utilize process standards to weave knowledge and skills together to be successful problem solvers and use mathematics efficiently and effectively in daily life. This course will build a foundation for the Advanced Math 7 course. Students enrolled in this course will take STAAR Math 6.

Please see the chart below.

All 6th graders are enrolled in 'Foundations for Success 6' unless they are in the gifted and talented program (GT) or they apply to be a part of our AVID program.

Details about 'Foundations for Success 6'

• Foundations for Success 6 is a structured transition course that equips sixth-grade students with the academic and personal skills necessary for success in the middle school environment and beyond. Students will master navigating middle school, understanding academic and behavioral expectations, and managing their time and resources. They will develop strategies for personal success through stress management, a growth mindset, and self-advocacy. Students will also prepare for the future by developing relevant tech skills, learning responsible digital citizenship, and exploring college, career, and military pathways (CCMR).

If a student is already a NISD identified GT student, the 'Foundations for Success" is replaced with a course called Innovative Thinkers.

Details About Innovative Thinkers

• This year-long dedicated GT course is developed especially for middle school gifted and talented students. The course includes opportunities to explore new ideas and novel approaches to challenges and problem based learning experiences in the following areas: STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), Character Development, Public Speaking, Social/Emotional Learning, Research, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership. IT1 encompasses a focus on one’s self and how students can integrate Depth & Complexity and other Skills into their daily lives.
  

If a student wishes to apply to our AVID program and gets accepted, the advisory is replaced with the course called AVID.

Details about AVID

• Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a College and Career Readiness Program offered in 6th through 12 grades. In AVID 6 students will develop an awareness of the values accompanying academic goals and success. The course will focus on building students’ self-confidence and communication skills in working with peers and adults. Students will be exposed to reading strategies that will assist them in building vocabulary and understanding a variety of texts and will also focus on pre-writing techniques, summary writing, and structural components of notetaking. **All students who are enrolled in AVID must take either Advanced ELA 6 or Accelerated Math 6 **
  

All students select ONE fine arts elective. The choices to select from are -

• Beginner Art
• Beginner Band (appointments for instrument selection required)
• Beginner Choir
• Dance 1
• Beginner Orchestra (appointments for instrument selection required)
• Intermediate Orchestra (for students in the elementary STRINGS Program)
  
• Beginner Theatre Arts

Beginner Art MS 1 is concept-based. Curriculum units build student skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, three-dimensional art forms, fiber, and digital art. Content will include student originality and creativity.

Band Beginner Level is designed to teach students how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Band concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Girls Choir (Treble)

This course is designed to teach students how to sing properly. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Girls are assigned to the Treble Choir and boys are assigned to the Tenor Bass Choir. Students learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Choir concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Boys Choir (Tenor/Bass)

This course is designed to teach students how to sing properly. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Girls are assigned to the Treble Choir and boys are assigned to the Tenor Bass Choir. Students learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Choir concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

The first dance course in middle school is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute beginner skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms. Various dance genres and styles will be explored while improving students’ technique, self-confidence, creative ability, and concept of wellness. Dance students will have ensemble performance opportunities. No prior dance experience is required.

Beginner Orchestra

Orchestra Beginner Level is designed to teach students how to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Orchestra concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Intermediate Orchestra *STRINGS Elementary Students*

Orchestra Intermediate Level is designed for students to continue developing music fundamentals on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments introduced in the beginner level class. Orchestra literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, kinesthetic development, expression, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Orchestra concerts include music of all styles. Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

Beginning Theatre

Beginning Theatre is an introductory theatre course designed for the student to experience the basic elements of drama. No previous theatre or drama experience is required. Beginning acting and technical theatre techniques will be explored along with the basic skills needed to create a theatrical performance.