OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Designed to meet the unique developmental needs of early adolescence, our middle school (grades 6-8) curriculum is, at its core, Montessori-inspired. Our program features a rich interdisciplinary curriculum rooted in Education for a Sustainable Future (EfS) standards and personalized, real-world learning experiences, both in the wider community and in natural spaces.
These learning experiences are designed to support the development of the core academic and social skills and knowledge needed to succeed at life’s many endeavors in a rapidly-changing and increasingly unpredictable world, laying the groundwork for success in high school in ways that provide optimal preparation for college and career.
OUR EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURE
Three-Year Curriculum Cycle
Our middle school curriculum integrates New York State core curriculum and Education for a Sustainable Future (EfS) standards into a three-year cycle. All learners in grades 6-8 engage with the same content strands and themes, but the follow-up work of the older students is designed to be more sophisticated and more challenging than that of the younger students. Learners in grade 8 have the opportunity to take one or more courses for high school credit.
Interdisciplinary Learning with Sustainability Themes
Our interdisciplinary study of geography, history, social studies, technology, and science focuses on the interrelationships between human and natural systems, and how human technologies can be catalysts for social and environmental change.
Real-World Learning
Adolescents learn best when given real-world, personal, hands-on learning opportunities, so these studies are taught using compelling introductory lessons that “hook” students with the relevance of the material, place-based learning, primary and secondary source readings, independent research, experiments, and class discussions.
Early adolescence is a time of transformation, a time when the groundwork is laid for the journey towards a meaningful adult life. With the right learning environment, adolescents can find their place in a world where they feel confident, competent, and respected for their unique talents, gifts, and identity, with a lens on the world that sees wonder, joy, and opportunity.
– Tina Nilsen-Hodges, Founder and Principal
CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM FEATURES
Celebrations of Learning
Each semester culminates in major projects and presentations of work to the community to demonstrate mastery.
Community Belonging and Engagement
Our middle school program is organized into four multi-age groups that serve as a “home base,” a small community of peers which serves as the equivalent of what we refer to as “crew” in high school.
Schedule Variety
The school day is structured to allow for whole and small group lessons, specialty classes, and extended periods of independent work time under the supervision of teachers, with one day a week designed flexibly to allow for fieldwork.
The schedule includes time for service learning, the arts, technology, physical education, clubs, and career exploration, as well as daily quiet study and reflection.
Outdoor Recess and Farm to School Lunch
Our middle school learners enjoy time to move outdoors daily following a free Farm to School lunch featuring locally-grown produce, including vegetables grown at our school farm, Kestrel Perch.
Practical Life
Learning practical life skills is essential to the work of the adolescent. In our program, these range from taking responsibility for classroom jobs to learning the skills necessary to navigate state testing.
Respect Yourself, Respect Others, Respect Our Environment
These fundamental values are at the heart of Montessori practice worldwide. They are frequently referenced in discussions about choices made in community life as the “New Roots Commitment.”