The following are the academic challenges that are available for students at Cross Middle School.  Although they are coordinated through the school's REACH (gifted) program, all students may apply .

YEAR-LONG PROBLEM SOLVING COMPETITIONS

In Odyssey of the Mind, teams of students solve hands-on problems.  Groups work on long-term problems and present their solutions in a creative way at competitions.  They also compete in spontaneous verbal or non-verbal problems.  Parents serve as coaches with facilitation by the REACH teacher.

Future Problem Solving students work in "think-tank" groups. They follow a six step problem solving process to creatively attack a different contemporary global issue each year and develop a solution that is projected into the future.  Students meet on a rotating schedule during  school to work on the process and topic and compete in district and state competitions.

MATHCOUNT students solve challenging  problems covering many areas of mathematics.  Students work in school and at home to prepare for regional and state competitions.

COMPETITIONS WITHOUT A YEAR-LONG FOCUS

OTHER ACADEMIC CHALLENGES

National Junior Honor Society