Middle School
ISW’s Middle School program capitalizes on the incredible brain development that characterizes the adolescent. We ask our students to tackle intellectual challenges and to take (calculated) risks that will prepare them well for high school, college and the work world. Understanding that this phase of life is tremendously social, we provide many opportunities for students to build their social skills with one another, with a larger group of middle schools students, and through community service.
Curriculum:
•Humanities: Integrated English and social studies approach, including global world history, current events, physical geography, economics, literature, rhetoric, poetry, grammar, and writing
•Math: 6th and 7th grade math using Prentice Hall’s Mathematics. Algebra I and II and geometry using Kendall Hunt’s Discovering series
•Science: Science and Technology Concepts, developed by the National Science Resource Center, the National Academies of Science, and the Smithsonian
•Spanish: Introductory through Spanish 3, taught by specialist
•Latin: taught by in connection with our Humanities curriculum, optional
•Performing Arts: choral and instrumental music, music theory, poetry, drama
•Art: project-based approach integrated with other studies
•Weekly field trips: based on studies in the classroom
Key Elements in ISW’s Middle School program:
•Small class size with hands-on learning
•Multi-age classrooms that allow students to learn to lead and to follow
•Opportunity to work independently and in groups
•Mastery learning rather than traditional grades
•Student-paced work. ISW provides individualized challenges for each child.
•Technology, including Google Docs, Prezi, and Power Point. All students bring their own machines to the classroom.
•After-school options including Destination Imagination, yearbook, news magazine, and an auditioned choir/theater troupe
• Friday Nights Social Club program