Middle School

By becoming aware of their strengths and areas of growth as learners through small class sizes, student-teacher conferencing, sessions focused on study skills and executive functioning, differentiated instruction, and workshops for building professional skills, students are empowered to tackle new material in ways that best align with their natural competencies and advocate for themselves when they need help.  This awareness builds independence and confidence in students to take ownership of their learning and work within a structure that is sustainable and meaningful for them. 

There are a number of opportunities for students to develop their conflict-resolution and advocacy skills including the Peer Facilitator training sessions, the Learning To Breathe mindfulness curriculum, and advisory meetings that focus on addressing complicated social scenarios through group discussion and role-playing.  In addition to these structured settings, the close relationships with teachers who are available to listen and offer guidance help make students feel known and emotionally understood.  This warm social environment gives students the space to learn from their mistakes and feel safe to peaceably face difficult situations in life.

Our young people are equipped to be confident in who they are and who they can become as leaders and influencers for good.  As real world challenges and initiatives (such as Fair Trade) are introduced and discussed in our classrooms,  opportunities to volunteer and provide service are regularly available, and students are paired with elementary partners to develop relationships with them throughout the year, a deep awareness is developed in their capacity to be agents of change in the world as advocates, volunteers, and mentors.  These opportunities along with others such as Student Leadership and Mix It Up lunches ( intentional times to share meals with new friends) are anchored in the Quaker SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Service) that serve as core values in all that we do.