Similar to other middle schools, each core class is taught by a different teacher. Each student follows a unique schedule and is assigned a locker. This requires students to become familiar with changing classrooms throughout the school day and to take responsibility for managing their schedule, time, and materials. Classes include Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Technology, Social Skills, Health, Drama, Music, Art, and PE. Students are placed into core classes based on the grade level curriculum they are working on in each subject area. Each core class in Middle School typically ranges from five to ten students per class, while PE may have up to 16 students per class to allow for division into teams when learning the rules of group sports. Middle School classes are staffed with one lead teacher and a team of assistants who rotate based on need.
The curriculum is aligned to facilitate progression from one level to the next. Technology is utilized in the computer lab and in the classrooms with MimioTeach interactive whiteboards installed in each classroom. Special care has been taken to provide the students with typical school experiences. Middle school students are assigned lockers. Students at this level have lunch in a small cafeteria-style setting. They eat prepared lunches or bring lunches from home and may heat or prepare food as needed.
Middle school students become much more independent by participating in Student Council, Boy Scouts, Girls Club, Basketball Club, Soccer Club, LEGO Robotics, Drama Club, Magic the Gathering Club, Dungeons and Mathematicians Club, lock-ins, socials/dances, and the three- day trip to Camp For All. A variety of field trip experiences include such things as local plays, restaurants, bowling, and other experiences that enhance social and cultural education.
Our “seniors” are considered those students who will age out of our program at 15 years old before September 1.
All students participate in various ancillary classes, such as music, art, PE, science, information technology, drama, social skills and health. In IT, younger students focus on keyboarding and basic computer competencies. Middle school students focus on coding and other computer sciences, such as Microsoft Office and online safety.