Middle School
Ages 11/12-14/15
Socratic discussion, adaptive core subjects, peer-to-peer editing, student-led government, student-driven missions, and real-world apprenticeships.
“With well-designed pedagogy, we can empower kids with critical skills and help them turn passions into decisive life advantages. The role of education is no longer to teach content, but to help our children learn—in a world that rewards the innovative and punishes the formulaic.” -Tony Wagner
Proposed Schedules
Tuesday & Wednesday:
9:00 Optional free play outside
9:30 Start of day, Launch/Socratic Discussion
10:00 Core skills time
11:30 Writing
12:00 Reflect on work if needed and clean up
12:15 Lunch and clean up
12:45 Free time - no tech
1:15 Mission Time/Group Work
3:00 Clean up
3:15 Closing group (Socratic discussion going over the day)
3:30 Dismiss
Thursday:
9:00 Optional free play outside
9:30 Start of day, Launch/Socratic Discussion
10:00 Core skills time
11:30 Writing
12:00 Reflect on work if needed and clean up
11:45 Lunch
12:15 Lunch clean up
12:30 Free time - no tech
1:00 Extra class (art, photo, sewing, shop, etc…) + Group Reflection/Planning
2:00-3:00 Project/reflection & planning/team building/free time
3:00 Clean up
3:15 Closing group (Socratic discussion going over the day)
3:30 Dismiss
For an extra fee Monday is an optional high adventure day in Nature. See more Information here.
Apprenticeships
All Middle School students will be required to complete at least one real world apprenticeship each year. Students will be guided on how to discover, and apply for these internships, but will ultimately be responsible for making sure they happen.
Socratic Discussions
Daily Socratic discussions will allow the students to develop critical thinking skills, as well as respectful discussion/debate with peers.
Core Subjects
Math, reading, typing, and language, etc. These curriculums will all be picked by parents. These need to be adaptive online programs that can allow the child to work at their own pace.
Access to Nature
Students will have the option to come to school “early” for outside play, as well as have access to the schoolyard throughout the day.
Writing
Multiple writing prompts to choose from, covering topics such as science and history, peer review and editing, present completed works to peers.
Missions
Students will be expected to work together either as whole or break into groups to work on the mission. With team building, socratic discussions and gentle prompting from their guides they will create an exhibit of some sort that will be displayed for public viewing on the last Friday of each session.
Student Government
Together the students will debate and agree upon rules that will govern the school, then they will hold each other accountable. Older students will also have opportunities to mentor younger kids.
