Academics
To see our grading policy, click HERE.
MATHEMATICS
Illustrative Mathematics
MS104 uses Illustrative Math to guide our base mathematics curriculum.
We believe that all students should be able to reason and communicate proficiently in mathematics. They should have knowledge of and skill in the use of the vocabulary, forms of representation, materials, tools, techniques, and intellectual methods of the discipline of mathematics, including the ability to define and solve problems with reason, insight, inventiveness, and technical proficiency.
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The Screened Program (SP) offers accelerated math classes. Students will complete 3 years of math (6th, 7th, and 8th) in 6th and 7th grade and take Algebra 1 in 8th grade.
You can learn more about Illustrative Math on their WEBSITE.
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To access and review past state math and ELA exams, including questions and answers, click HERE.
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Additional Resources
In addition to our basic curriculum, MS104 encourages the use of iReady, a great online learning resource that students can use in the classroom as well as at home. iReady offers personalized instruction and practice based on student diagnostic results, gearing lessons toward the student's latest results, so that they are targeted for the skills where there is room for growth.
To learn more about iReady’s Personalized Instruction feature, click HERE.
(Also available in Spanish and Mandarin)
For iReady’s Family Guide, click HERE.
(Also available in Spanish and Mandarin)
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And for the iReady General Family Center, click HERE.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
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MS 104 has adopted the Columbia University Teachers’ College Reading and Writing Project. Our goals with the implementation of this curriculum is to foster an authentic love and appreciation for reading and writing with our students and to increase the volume of reading and writing. Students are provided with ample amount of choice and agency through the texts they choose to read and the pieces they choose to write.
Our ELA teachers utilize a workshop model in each lesson allowing students time to practice, perfect and take ownership over the reading and writing skills taught in each unit. Reading and writing workshop is an approach that helps students become lifelong, avid, and expert readers and writers. Over the course of the year, students will be exposed to a wide variety of writing opportunities such as expository, narrative, poetry and argumentative. Additionally, students will experience authentic reading experiences through a balanced literacy approach. Through each unit of study, students choose from a range of books meeting their independent reading level, are paired with reading partners and participate in book clubs. The units are genre or theme based such as “A Deep Study of Character”, “Tapping the Power of Nonfiction” and “Dystopian Book Clubs”.
To access and review past state ELA and math exams, including questions and answers, click HERE.
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104 LIBRARY
Librarian, Ms. Rebecca rsokolovsky@schools.nyc.gov
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Baruch students read 30 mins daily during the school year. Reading is tracked via daily logs or monthly ELA packets.
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As we head into the summer months, we want to emphasize the importance of daily reading for all students. Research shows that consistent reading over the summer helps students maintain and even improve their literacy skills, preventing the “summer slide” that can occur when reading habits pause during the break.
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To make the most academic gains, we encourage every student to read for at least 30 minutes each day. This daily habit supports vocabulary growth, strengthens comprehension, and fosters a lifelong love of learning.
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Whether it’s a novel, a graphic novel, nonfiction, or an audiobook, every minute counts. Let’s work together to keep our students’ minds active and engaged all summer long!
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Please click here to find a list of titles curated by Ms. Sokolovsky to support students summer reading!
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To explore our online library resources, please click HERE.
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SCIENCE
The integrated science curriculum at Baruch follows a spiral curriculum where in each grade students are study in depth topics in physical, life, and earth science. The curriculum follows the New York City Scope and Sequence which is now currently aligned to the national Next Generation Science Standards.
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In grades six and seven we utilize the Amplify Science curriculum to engage students in inquiry-based units of study that are anchored in real life phenomena. This integrated science curriculum follows a spiral where students study in depth topics in physical, life, and earth science. The curriculum follows the New York City Scope and Sequence which is aligned to the national Next Generation Science Standards. Students explore scientific concepts through a combination of hands-on investigations, online simulation activities that illustrate various processes students are studying and reading content-based text and passages. In addition, students engage in writing activities that require them to support their claims with textual evidence and scientific reasoning.
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Grade Six
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Unit 1- Nature of Science
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Unit 2- Harnessing Human Energy
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Unit 3- Thermal Energy
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Unit 4- Populations and Resources
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Unit 5- Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
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Unit 6- Weather Systems
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Grade 7
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Unit 1- Microbiome
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Unit 2- Metabolism
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Unit 3- Phase Change
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Unit 4- Chemical Reactions
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Unit 5- Plate Motion
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Unit 6- Rock Transformations
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8th Grade Biology Regents course follows The New Visions Biology Curriculum
​All eighth grade students take regents level coursework in Biology, and we utilize the New Visions Biology curriculum in grade eight science. Through ongoing partnership with teachers across New York City, New Visions has developed this course map for a high school biology course fully designed to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS). Each unit follows a common structure: students engage with an anchor phenomenon and develop questions; go through learning sequences to develop and iterate on answers to those questions; then complete a three-dimensional performance task.
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Unit 1- The Marathon Runner
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Unit 2- Humans vs. Bacteria
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Unit 3- Evolution of Sick Humans
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Unit 4- Saving the Mountain Lion
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Unit 5- Foods for All
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Unit 6- Wooly Mammoth
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Students actively engage in hands on inquiry and lab experiences that focuses on the NGSS science practices:
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Asking Questions & Defining Problems
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Developing & Using Models
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Planning & Carrying Out Investigations
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Analyzing & Interpreting Data
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Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking
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Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions
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Engaging in Argument from Evidence
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Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information
SOCIAL STUDIES
The Social Studies curriculum at 104 uses the Passport to Social Studies Curriculum and focuses on the following themes:
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6th Grade Units of Study:
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Unit 1- Geography of the Eastern Hemisphere
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Unit 2- First Humans, Neolithic Revolution, and the Early River Valley Civilizations
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Unit 3- Comparative World Religions
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Unit 4- Comparative Classic Civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere
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Unit 5- The Mediterranean World and Interactions Across the Eastern Hemisphere
7th Grade Units of Study:
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Unit 1- Native Americans, Early Encounters and Colonial Development
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Unit 2- The Road to Independence
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Unit 3- A New Nation- The United States Constitution
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Unit 4- A Nation Grows: Expansion and Reform 1800-1860
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Unit 5- A Nation Divided
8th Grade Units of Study
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Reconstruction
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A Changing Society and The Progressive Era
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The United States as an Expansionist Nation
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WWI and the United States Between Wars
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WWII: The United States Assumes Worldwide Responsibilities
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From WWII to the Present: The Changing Nature of the American People
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ELECTIVES
6th Grade:
All students take
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Advisory: focuses on social emotional development
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Physical Education. Students must have sneakers, Baruch Shirt (recommended not required), padlock for locker, and deodorant. The PTA provides students with 1 Baruch shirt for PE. Extra Baruch shirts can be purchased at school events or online.
PE Wishlist
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Ceramics
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Computers:
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Term 1: Digital citizenship: safety, privacy and responsibility on our screens. The weekly work is completed in Google Suite to make sure students know how to use the apps in Google Classroom: Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drawing.
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Term 2: students learn to build a website using HTML and CSS code.
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Term 3: students choice to continue to code while others dive into graphic design in apps such as Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Tinkercad.
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Rank Choice of: Strings, Concert Band, or Drama. No experience necessary.
Music Department wishlist
Instruments can be rented for the academic year through Music & Arts.-
Strings: violin, viola, cello, upright bass, bass
Students perform in a winter and spring concert -
Percussion: flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, horns, drums, bells.
Students perform in a winter and spring concert -
Drama & Mixed Media Art*
Students perform in 1 production
(*additional elective courses are subject to change based on staffing and programming.)
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At the end of the year, students will complete a survey in class to decide if they want to continue in their current electives (Strings, Percussion, Drama)
7th Grade:
All students take
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Physical Education - twice per week, single block. Students must have sneakers, a Baruch Shirt (recommended not required), padlock for locker, and deodorant.
PE Wishlist
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Health 1x per week
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Spanish 1x per week, double block
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Visual Arts 1x per week, double block
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Choice of: Strings, Concert Band, or Drama based on survey response from end of 6th grade. Music Department wishlist
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Music classes are 2x per week, double blocks
Students not enrolled in music have 4 period of other electives. This could include:
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Fitness
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Graphic Art: students will use Adobe programs, tutorials will cover everything from basic tools to artistic concepts of design
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Performance Arts
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Drama
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Music Appreciation
At the end of 7th grade, students will be able to rank choices for electives in 8th grade.
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8th Grade:
All students take
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Physical Education. Students must have sneakers, a Baruch Shirt (recommended not required), padlock for locker, and deodorant.
PE Wishlist
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Health
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Spanish - daily
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Choice of: Strings, Concert Band, or Drama based on survey response from end of 7th grade. Music Department wishlist
Additional Electives based on scheduling (can vary by year).​
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Computers: students learn coding in both JavaScript and Python
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Music Appreciation
Field Trips
Being located in NYC, we love to take advantage of all the amazing and unique cultural resources, museums, shows, parks, walking tours, and more! Our goal is for every grade takes at least 2 field trips a year. Some of our recent field trips have been to the New York Hall of Science, Central Park Zoo, NY Aquarium, The Museum of the City of New York and more!
Our 8th graders go on an annual trip to Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ for their end of year trip.
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The Strings classes often go to a Broadway show in the Spring. In 2025 they saw Aladdin and Lion King in the past.
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You can make field trip suggestions here.