Our middle school program is called Atid, which means “Future.”
Students in our upper grades are challenged to take on increasing leadership responsibilities not only at school, but also in the larger Jewish community. They are encouraged to explore their individual interests as they also continue to develop their skills in science and technology, creative and expository writing, and in the creative arts. The students build on the foundation of their elementary school experience in continuing to develop their relationship with Israel. The academic program is based on the best practices in the teaching of pre-teens and preparation for competitive high school programs.
For our 6th grade, the main themes for the year are: the environment, global citizenry, and V’Ahavta L’reicha Kamocha (Love your neighbor as yourself). Sixth graders explore these themes through questions, such as:
- What impact people have on the environment?
- What choices do individuals make that could improve their relationship with nature?
- What does it mean to be a global citizen?
- Why should individuals care what is happening in other parts of the world?
- Who are our “neighbors?”
- What does it mean to “love your neighbor as yourself?”
Our 8th grade students are preparing to transition from our small, nurturing environment into larger high schools next year. In their post-B’nai Mitzvah year, the students are busy exploring what it means to be part of the adult world. Continued explorations in Math, Science, Social Studies, and English Language Arts are combined with Judaics, Hebrew, and Creative Arts.
Our students take on more leadership roles within our school, with each 8th grader doing “community service” by helping in one of our younger classrooms each week. The students lead by example in many all-school events and activities.
We are looking forward to graduating our first class this spring!
An eight grader student helps a kindergarten student during in-school voting on Election Day 2012