SCHOOL CLOSING ALERT
Due to widespread power outages, both campuses will be closed Monday 3/27. School will resume on Tuesday 3/28.
Through small class sizes, evidence-based instruction, assistive technology, and a culture of empowerment, middle schoolers grow into classroom leaders who are well prepared for the advanced concepts and academic demands of high school.
In addition to lunch and recess, the middle school schedule includes seven class periods. Each day, students in grades 7-8 take four ability-grouped academic classes, which align with Ohio’s Learning Standards. Additionally, they kick off the morning with an advisory class, experience a period of targeted intervention, and end the day with a fun elective!
Middle schoolers grow their literary appreciation by diving into classic and popular works, like “The Outsiders,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Diary of a Young Girl,” and many others. As readers engage with these well-known texts, a variety of oral reading techniques enhance fluency and comprehension. Creative projects, like designing T-shirts—just as protagonist Jordan Romero did to raise funds for his Everest climb in “No Summit Out of Sight,” further immerse readers in the novel. A guided writing process is also in place to help students extend and edit their written passages.
Studying both pre-algebra and geometry fully prepares middle schoolers for Algebra I or higher in grade 9. Our math classes involve considerable work with tactile manipulatives to visually represent abstract concepts, like multi-step equations, rational and irrational number operations, fractions, and more. Middle School mathematicians apply their skills in real-life, such as using the Pythagorean theorem to estimate the height of trees on our campus with only a tape measure and giant protractor. Consistent use of math language also builds their understanding and confidence.
Our philosophy in science class is that students learn best through an active, collaborative, and hands-on approach. Seventh graders study life science, while eighth graders study earth science. In our two dedicated Middle School science laboratories, students can be found measuring bacteria levels in lake water, weighing items from our natural world with balance scales, viewing wet slides with microscopes, and even dissecting worm and squid specimens. The highly-engaging lessons provide daily exposure to scientific principles and vocabulary; while giving students the chance to develop their note-taking skills.
Through the careful study of history and culture, middle schoolers are challenged to understand how early societies functioned and draw meaningful connections between past and present. Seventh graders take world history, while eighth graders study early American history. Projects like 3D printing of historical models, researching the viewpoints of American colonists to inform debates with classmates, creating primitive-style cave paintings, recreating battle scenes in miniature, and more boost student engagement. Social studies is not only interesting—the lessons enhance critical thinking.
Middle School faculty are expert guides on the journey from childhood to adolescence. During morning advisory, teachers focus on developing interpersonal and leadership skills by discussing competencies, such as cooperation, anti-bullying, effective communication, bias, empathy, online etiquette, and self-advocacy—just to name a few. The lessons challenge students to consider how they contribute to our community and the world.
Middle schoolers benefit from a dedicated period of targeted intervention. Classes are assigned based on their area of greatest academic need, including reading comprehension, fluency, decoding, numeracy, writing, and others. These areas are progress monitored every other week. Additionally, all students are benchmarked in math and language arts through Aimsweb and NWEA-MAP assessments.
Students end their day with an elective of their choice. High-interest classes in art, engineering, game strategy, nature, rock music, athletics, and many more (there’s something for everyone) are offered each quarter. These classes tend to be where new social connections, hobbies, and passions are discovered. Ask any middle schooler about their favorite part of the day and you’ll get the same reply: “last period!”
When students begin to independently navigate homework and study time, their self-confidence soars. We build these abilities through assistive technology and executive function coaching
Middle schoolers are issued a Chromebook to use in class and at home. Students learn how to use a wide variety of digital reading, writing, and vocabulary tools to capitalize on their strengths and produce high-quality work. Tech skills are fine-tuned throughout Middle School, as all seventh- and eighth-grade coursework is completely digital and housed within the Google Workspace.
A key objective of Middle School programming is to strengthen the executive functioning that allows students to gain ownership of their academics. This includes the ability to manage time, remember instructions, juggle tasks, self advocate, and stay organized. Students are supported every step of the way as we build these important skills through explicit coaching, consistent routines, clear expectations, and a gradual increase of responsibility.
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