Program

Curriculum

The curriculum seeks to address the varying interests of the Middle School student while providing a solid foundation in basic skills. All students are scheduled to take morning classes in math and language arts each day of the week throughout the entire school year. Other classes are offered in the areas of science, history, geography, reading, spelling, math enrichment, literature, journalism, physical education, art, music, and crafts. Students may choose, with the counsel of their parents and advisors, courses which are both interesting to them and suited to their needs and abilities. 

The Middle School's flexibility is such that courses can be introduced as needs arise, based on teacher observation and student input. A premium is placed on students actively experimenting and problem-solving for themselves and being encouraged to take increasing responsibility for themselves. Classes which emphasize self-exploration are offered in subjects such as peer and family relationships, human sexuality, and journal writing.

Daily Schedule

The daily schedule is the basic organizing principle for the student day. Each morning begins with a silent period of "settling in" which serves as both a transition and a time to reflect on the day's happenings. Monday through Friday, periods are scheduled for language arts, math, social studies, the arts, and science. Periods are usually forty-five minutes long. The remaining periods of the day on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, are scheduled for courses which the student chooses during registration. These courses include traditional subjects such as science, math, composition and literature, as well as art, music, dance, and personal growth. Choosing courses provides the opportunity for students to explore areas of particular interest. The final period of the day is usually scheduled for a sports activity or a creative activity. It is quickly evident that students have the opportunity to take advantage of a wide variety of courses during the school year.

The Middle School believes in the value of community experience, wants students to begin participating as members of their own school community, and greatly values student ideas. Therefore whole-group experiences are incorporated into the schedule on a regular basis. Time is set aside for community group meetings which provide an opportunity for students to generate ideas and concerns which affect the group as a whole. In this experience, students carry the discussions, help problem-solve, and learn about the process of coming to consensus. Sometimes this group meeting is not a discussion experience, but an audience experience, as people are invited to come and share their talents, skills, and interests with the School. Students are thus able to learn about being an audience and to hear from people whose experience extends the scope of the School.

Advisee Groups

A unique feature of the Middle School is the Advisee Group. After the first two weeks of school, each student chooses from the full-time staff one teacher to be an advisor. Each teacher advises 10-12 students. The importance of this element of the Middle School program is reflected by the scheduling of time during the school day for the advisee groups to meet. These times are planned by the advisor and address a variety of needs and topics, some information-disseminating, some counseling, and some problem-solving. The advisor is the student's advocate in the Middle School-a role taken very seriously by the staff. Advisors remain in contact with parents, help students determine curriculum choices, and ensure that each student has someone who is quite knowledgeable about him/her and to whom s/he can go for guidance and support.