Middle School

• 1:1 computer program ensures more access and personalization of resources to aid in learning
• Additional offerings in Chorus (no auditions/cuts, all grades), Select Voice Ensemble (7th and 8th Grade auditions), Art Club (all grades)  and Select Dance Group (7th and 8th Grade auditions) allow for additional artistic pursuits
• Annual musical production offers experience in both musical theater and technical theater
• Middle School Model United Nations group develops public speaking skills and global awareness

• Advisory program connects each girl to a caring faculty advisor and provides a "safe space" for girls to get support, encouragement, and feedback
• Upper School Academic Mentoring program matches Upper School Students with Middle School students for tutoring and homework help
• Weekly Morning Meetings and Community Time allows for all grades to convene for special presentations, demonstrations of learning from classes and community-wide bonding activities that are both student and teacher initiated

• Interscholastic sports program including Cross Country, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Squash, Lacrosse, Equestrian, and Polo; there is a no-cuts policy for all Middle School athletic teams
• Middle School Robotics team participates in regional competitions (all grades)
• Extensive leadership opportunities for students in Forum and the Aspiring Leaders Program  to help promote division-wide activities, service learning, school spirit and improve the student experience

• Media production studio with iMac computers for student work in filmmaking and editing, graphic design, and coding
• Grade level commons rooms for class meetings, informal gathering, and downtime
• LEED-certified GREEN Middle School building fully able to support all wired and wireless devices

• Signature Programs at each grade level including 6th Grade RISE (Research, Innovation & Scientific Exploration) Program, 7th Grade Women of Impact Speaker Series and 8th Grade Capstone Ted-Ed Class
• Interdisciplinary signature projects in each grade give way to cross-curricular connections such as the 6th Grade Teen Activism Project, 7th Grade Project Innovate and 8th Grade Shakespeare Study

• A Middle School Counselor teaches decision-making classes in each grade to help support social/emotional growth.
• Full-time Academic Resource Coordinator to work to challenge all students of all abilities in all disciplines

Mini-Mester session allows for student choice in exploring hands on workshops for 1 week including polo, paleontology, photography, cooking, forensics, golf and more

• Coordination of individual accommodations for students with educational testing:
  The Academic Resource Coordinator analyzes educational testing reports and writes up formal accommodations plans, which are then shared with her teachers and parents. The ARC coordinator facilitates the implementation of classroom recommendations including: extended time, note buddies, preferential seating, technological aides, and others.
• Individual academic support on a scheduled or ad hoc basis for students who are experiencing challenges in meeting their academic goals: Students may be referred for ARC help by their advisor or teacher, or may set up appointments or drop by for assistance on their own initiative.

Teacher support for differentiated instruction for support and enrichment:
Through regular conversations and professional development programs, the ARC offers teachers techniques for differentiating in the classroom according to individual learning profiles. The school is committed to helping each student maximize her potential, and the ARC assists classroom teachers working with students who are ready to tackle additional challenge as well as those whose who need greater support.

Supported Study Hall and weekly Help Sessions for identified students to assist with assignments and organization.

For seventh and eighth grade students who have formal educational testing that includes a language waiver. This class meets three times in every two week cycle and provides small group and individualized academic support based on students’ testing and teacher feedback. Topics may include time management, organization, effective reading and note-taking, the writing process, study habits, memory techniques, test and exam preparation, and stress reduction. Part of the class period is also usually devoted to accomplishing homework or review.

A peer tutoring program is also run out of the ARC. Middle School students may sign up for an Upper School Academic Mentor who can provide subject-specific academic reinforcement or homework help.

Advisors keep a watching eye on their advisees and learn to know when to reach out to an advisee in need. It is important that advisors be proactive in approaching their advisees when something seems wrong or out of character as most teenagers do not reach out for help when they need it most. Similarly, it is important that advisors notice and celebrate advisees’ successes.

Advisors can shed light on situations concerning their advisees and help faculty understand the full picture that each of their advisees is facing. It is crucial that advisors be advocates for their advisees during faculty meetings and any other activity involving their advisees. Advisors understand their advisees’ lives better than anyone else in the school and can lead us on how to best educate and support them.

Advisors are the main point of contact for parents with the school. They are the vehicle through which parents are informed of their daughter’s progress and objectives and the first person a parent calls if they have a question or concern. This link with parents creates the space for school and parents to become a team in raising each child – it takes a village!

Advisors keep a record of all important information that is collected during the year for each of their advisees. Grades, communication with parents, and notes from conversations with or about an advisee will help the advisor write his/her fourth quarter advisee letter and will be an important source of information for the advisor that inherits that advisee next year!