MIDDLE SCHOOL
(grades 7 & 8)
EXPLORE
COMMUNITY
Each day starts with the Morning Meeting. It is a time of community and connection and is always facilitated by a student.
1/11
WORK CYCLE
An uninterrupted work cycle is a hallmark of Montessori. After their teacher provides them with a lesson to start things off, these students are off to work, exploring these subjects:

  • Language & Language Mechanics
  • Writing Project
  • Pre-Algebra & Algebra
  • Natural World (sciences)
  • Social World (social studies)

2/11
INDEPENDENCE
In Montessori a huge emphasis is placed on developing independence. During the work cycle, middle school students are expected to track their assignments and engage in activities that will satisfy their individualized work plan. With the teacher as their facilitator, the students master skills and attributes required to succeed in the real world: initiative, curiosity, short-and-long-term planning & goal setting, prioritization, and self-awareness.
3/11
PERSONAL WORLD
Developing and nurturing spirituality is an important component of Montessori education that begins at birth and continues through adulthood. Every day, as part of the Personal World curriculum, time is set aside for Personal Reflection, when students settle into a personal space, uninterrupted and distraction free, and pursue guides exercises prompted by materials from The Sixteen Habits of Mind or The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens.
4/11
GROUP WORK
Just like college and in professional settings, there's a lot of Group Work in our middle school classes. They learn to navigate the complexities of interpersonal relationships through the production of quality work.
5/11
ENRICHMENTS
Middle school students aren't just all work and no play. They also attend the following classes:

  • Art
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Spanish
  • Technology

6/11
MICROECONOMY
Running a small business is part of the middle school curriculum. Students are expected to create it, operate it, budget and advertise for it, and clean up any messes they make along the way!
7/11
GRADUATION

As fully independent problem-solvers, our 8th graders plan and execute their own graduation ceremony each year. It's a time of reflection and celebration.

Our graduates have been accepted to Northside Prep, Francis W. Parker School, Lane Tech, Whitney Young, Culver Academy, St. Ignatius, Loyola Academy, Wolcott School, Beacon High, British International, and Latin School of Chicago.

8/11
FIELD TRIPS
Every year students take a trip to either Iowa or Washington DC. True to the spirit of our program, they're responsible for planning these trips.
9/11
NATURE'S CLASSROOM
Students at every grade in the Academy, including Middle School, attend Nature's Classroom Institute (NCI), in Wisconsin, for one week every year. NCI is the nation's premier outdoor environmental education program.
10/11
FINAL INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT
8th graders cap off their graduating year with a final presentation about a subject near and dear to their hearts.
11/11
Slider

The Academy executes a dynamic, rigorous Middle School program that promotes a growth mindset. Here’s a portrait of an Academy graduate:

 

Lifelong Learners

Academy graduates continue to pursue personal interests and academic endeavors far beyond our doors.

 

Independent Thinkers

Academy graduates are resourceful, confident and self-directed. When the world presents challenging points of view, they ask questions and formulate their own ideas.

 

Self-Assured Problem Solvers

Academy graduates are motivated to test their abilities. They are problem solvers and are analytical and creative in their thinking.

 

Respectful Community Members

Academy graduates listen, consider, and seek to understand diverse perspectives. They seek peaceful resolution and collaboration. They value community building and leadership.

 

Engaged Global Citizens

Academy graduates understand the interconnectedness of the universe. They recognize the fundamental needs of all living things and celebrate the natural beauty and wonder of our Earth. They work to promote sustainability and justice.

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Our Middle School classroom is comprised of both 7th and 8th grade students participating in a full two-year cycle. It follows the Houston Montessori Center (HMC) Model, created and developed by American Montessori Society Living Legacy Dr. Betsy Coe. This model, which has been in existence for over 25 years, and which has been implemented in a number of Montessori schools throughout the United States, meets AMS standards for accreditation. The HMC model is developmentally responsive, holistic, and empowering. Curriculum components:

 

Trans-disciplinary themes (concepts that cross over all subjects areas)

Mastery, coaching, and exploratory activities

Long-term cooperative learning projects

Meaningful and challenging work

Activities for self-expression, self-knowledge, and self-assessment

Activities that value all nine intelligences and a variety of learning styles

Experiences that foster interdependence

Opportunities for learning economic independence

School and community service projects

SUBJECTS & SKILLS

Courses of Academic Study

Language

Speech

Social Studies

Physical Sciences

Pre-Algebra and Algebra

Personal World

Drug and Sexuality Education

Physical Education and Health

Spanish

Computer Literacy

Outdoor Education

Cycles of Work

In an academic year, there are five theme-based cycles of work, each 5-to-6 weeks long. At the end of the cycle, there is a product presentation and a written self-assessment of the thematic project work. The cycle format is designed to help students learn organizational, decision-making, and time-management skills. Students keep a graph of the work completed as well as a recorded grade sheet, updating graphs daily and weekly. At the end of the cycle, a cycle summary report is e-mailed home to parents and presented at their cycle conference.

Academic Partnerships

The Academy partners with the middle schools program at Brickton Montessori School which employs the same curriculum. Our students collaborate with one another and work on group presentations together.