Middle School Program

Meaningful Work

Adolescents want to see their own role in everything: they are active doers, not passive watchers or listeners. Our program feeds the adolescent’s need to know that the math, science, humanities and language work they do in the classroom translates into what they will need in their everyday lives. That is why the curriculum is experiential; it is designed to bring active and physical participation into the academics. Traditional middle schools rely on textbooks for their curriculum and top-down instruction rather than experiential curriculum.

The Format Mirrors Your Child’s Developmental Needs

Your adolescent is going through a profound, intensive and rapid development both physically and emotionally. And with those physical and emotional changes, come very specific needs that differ from those of elementary-aged students.

Those needs include:

• Sense of belonging/connection to the community
• Independence and responsibility (and economic independence)
• Purposeful and challenging work (real work and authentic responsibilities)
• Positive communication with adults and peers
• Opportunity for self-definition and self-expression (discover their purpose, find their voice and speak their truth)
• Opportunity for creative expression
• Competency and achievement
• Experience with leadership and service
• Intimate connection with the land/place (develop and ecological awareness)
• Physical activity
• Structure and clear limits

The Adolescent Program’s thoughtful and developmentally appropriate curriculum engages and fulfills your teenager through a close community and meaningful work.

Opportunity for Self-Expression

Adolescents must have opportunities for self-reflection and express their opinions without fear of judgement. They thrive in an environment where they can feel safe as they go through the profound physical and emotional changes that is an integral part of adolescence.