Middle School

List of 16 items.

• Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs)

  ILPs are developed for each student and reflect targeted areas including academics, behavior, work habits, study skills, self-advocacy, language skills, and executive functioning. Testing accommodations are documented on the ILP, along with additional services provided. In the Middle School, parents are invited to four conferences each year to discuss their student's plan and to collaborate with teachers about their student's progress. In grades 7-8, students attend their conferences.

• Small Academic Classes and Academic Groupings

  Each student attends small-group academic classes for English-Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics and Science. Class groupings are based on the following criteria: standardized testing, trends in areas of strengths/needs, teacher observation and input, psychoeducational evaluation results, language evaluations, and previous year’s curriculum.

• Advisory and Advisors

  Advisory groups foster supportive relationships among students and between the student and his/her faculty advisor. Each advisory, comprised of a group of students and advisor, meets at the beginning and end of each school day. This group time includes, but is not limited to, organizational skills, time management strategies, character education, goal monitoring, and team building activities. In addition to leading the advisory, advisors also serve as liaisons between the school and students’ families.

• Enrichment Classes: Fine Arts and Reading (Literacy) Lab

  Enrichment classes enable students to explore their strengths and interests. General Music, Band, Show Choir, Music Appreciation, Music Technology, Art, Physical Education/Fitness, Community Block, Digital Literacy, Performing Arts, SLP and OT are currently offered during school (options vary by grade level). The fine arts are celebrated each semester with concerts that showcase musical, theatrical, and artistic talents.

  
  

  Enrichment classes also provide opportunities to target specific reading (literacy) skills through additional instruction and support in Reading (Literacy) Lab.

• Social Learning

  Social skills are intentionally taught throughout the school day and during all Middle School activities. Students benefit from specific social skills instruction during social-emotional learning groups with the Middle School counselor. Speech-language pathologists also lead pragmatics groups to assist some students in strengthening social interaction skills. Students improve conversational skills during advisory times and through advisor-led discussions during designated lunches. All students are encouraged to attend afterschool activities that are fun and provide opportunities to apply the appropriate social skills in all settings. Field trips also provide occasions for the students to apply skills they have acquired in the classroom to the outside world.

• Support Services

  Middle School support services include afterschool academic support (through Boost), speech-language services, occupational therapy services, social coaching, school counseling, and afterschool tutoring.
  
  

• Technology

  Technology instruction is integrated into academic classes. The student's technology device becomes an essential learning tool. Use of the internet is monitored carefully as students explore educational websites for learning and research. Students develop proficiency with computer skills and software applications that correlate with instructional objectives. Assistive technology may also be offered to students needing technological applications in order to more effectively demonstrate their knowledge base.

• Celebrating Talents

  Students' strengths and talents are recognized and developed throughout the day. Students are supported in identifying and expanding areas of strength and in celebrating the skills of others. 

• EXPLORE

  Each semester, the students have the opportunity to choose an area of focus to EXPLORE in depth with a faculty member on select Fridays. The goal is to engage, motivate, and EXPLORE with students in depth about a topic and be able to have some type of finished project, presentation, or demonstration. Selections vary each semester and have included coding in Python, robotics, clay sculpting, culinary passport, Lego movie making, managing finances, origami, and podcasting.

• Service Learning

  Developmentally, Middle School is an optimal time to instill the benefits of being philanthropic or the desire to serve others through giving of time, efforts or finances. Students experience firsthand how an individual, as well as a group, can make a difference. Monthly character traits are linked to service learning opportunities as part of the character education program.

• Athletics

  Athletic opportunities are offered year-round, and all students are encouraged to participate. Middle School sports often include tennis, cross country, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and golf.

• Field Trips and Class Trips

  In-person and/or virtual field trips are taken routinely during the school year to further develop the connections between the classroom and the world beyond. These experiences help the student to better understand periods and events of history, elements of literature and the performing arts. In the past few years, field trips have included Dyer Observatory, Carnton, Nashville Zoo, Adventure Science Center, Deer Run, U.S. Space and Rocket Center, The Parthenon, and the Tennessee State Capitol.
  
  Students in grades 7 and 8 also participate in an annual class trip. Destinations vary each school year.

• Club Activities

  Many club opportunities are offered to Middle School students on a weekly and monthly basis. Clubs are offered through the Boost program.

• Student Ambassadors

  The Student Ambassadors Program offers a unique leadership opportunity for students to represent their classmates, plan activities throughout the year, and serve as hosts for visitors on campus. 

• Success Assemblies

  Students’ successes are celebrated during the Success Assemblies. The faculty and administrators recognize student accomplishments in classwork, homework, academic habits, and a variety of other areas. 

• After-School Program

  The after-school program, Boost, is offered Monday through Friday. Visit the Boost section of the website for more details and for online registration.