Middle School Overview

Program Overview:
In the Middle School years, grades 6-8 the students shift from a self contained classroom to a departmentalized system. The program is designed to provide an increased level of academic independence and responsibility in preparation for secondary school.  The curriculum is designed to provide a logical progression of skills and concepts that will serve as an academic foundation to prepare our students as able and engaged lifelong learners.  The academic year is split into trimesters.

Advisory:
Advisors replace the homeroom teacher as the main support system for students. In most cases these students will remain with the same advisor through the eighth grade. The advisor’s role is to work as the child’s chief advocate and mentor in academic, social, and disciplinary issues that arise at school. The advisor meets weekly with their advisees and periodically as needed. Each fall advisors work with their advisees to set goals for the year, and track these goals as the year progresses. The advisor also serves as the main contact between school and home.

Community Service:
Another role of the advisor is to work with their advisees to meet their community service requirements.  An integral part of our program is community service. Each sixth and seventh grade student is required to complete a minimum of ten hours of community service each school year.  In conjunction with the community service coordinator, the advisor works closely with their advisees to complete their community service hours. The program culminates in the eighth grade year when the students are required to focus on a community service project of their choice. In their eighth grade year they are to complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service and write a paper on what they have learned through the process.

Extra-curricular Opportunities:
The elementary and middle school holds town meetings once a week to share school announcements and student performances.  Each middle school student is expected to address the entire student body, on a topic of their choice, during a town meeting at least once a year. The speech is practiced with their advisors.  Once a student enters middle school there is a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. The after school sports program includes soccer in the fall and lacrosse in the spring. The students have the opportunity to practice and perform in a play during the winter. Each fall students elect their peers to serve on the student council. The student council coordinates fundraising events for charitable endeavors, school social activities, and other extra-curricular activities.

Fall Trip:
Each fall the middle school students go on an overnight class trip. The purpose of the trip is to provide a group building experience for the class as well as an opportunity for outdoor environmental education for the students.

To learn more about our curriculum for middle school students, please visit our academics page.