Middle School Program
Middle School - 7th and 8th Grade:
Daily Class Time:
8:30 am. - 3:15 p.m.
Middle school age children are moving into a development plane in which they have the need to venture out into society. Students at this age are motivated by practical, real life responsibilities, and therefore are encouraged to develop relationships with adults in the community. These connections lead to opportunities for the students to learn and work outside of the classroom setting in professions that may interest them.
This is also a time when peer relationships become highly influential. Therefore, our program consists of many community building retreats and field trips.
Middle School Curriculum:
- Traditional courses
- Art
- Music
- Cosmic Education
- Physical Education (P.E.)
- Foreign language
- Technology
- Chess
- Internship
- Classical studies
Middle School Goals:
- Academic excellence
- Self-confidence
- Development of identity
- Community building
- Citizenship
Middle School Daily Schedule:
8:15 - 8:30 - Carpool Drop-Off/Arrival
8:30 - 9:00 - Outside Time/Finish Homework
9:00 - 9:20 - Community Meeting
9:20 - 12:00 - Morning Work Period
12:00 - 12:30 - Lunch
12:30 - 1:00 - Personal Reflection
1:00 - 1:20 - Outside/Free Time
1:20 - 3:00 - Afternoon Work Period/Enrichment
3:00 - 3:15 - Clean-Up/Dismissal and Carpool Pick-Up
Intern Program:
Each spring, Middle School students are given a week to complete 20-30 hours of working experience through an internship program.
The goal of our internship program is to provide some real life opportunities and experiences that match the academic and personal interests of each individual student. Internships are an important way for our students to meet and interact with adults in a professional setting. Some of the benefits of students internships are developing 21st century skills and marketability, increasing self-confidence, building a professional network, and enhancing future employment opportunities.
In Middle School, students begin the lifelong process of writing, maintaining and enhancing their resumes which will be important for college and beyond.
Immersive Going Out:
Each school year at PMA, the staff jointly plan an immersive “Going Out” during the first quarter of school to engage our students towards building a sense of community. The sense of community enables our classroom environments to flow with student independence, confidence and leadership.
“Going Out” over the years has established memories, friendships and learning that our graduates from Lower Elementary to High School value in their “store” of memories.
Skills Developed in Going Out:
❏ Curiosity and Wonder
❏ Responsibility and Empathy
❏ Physical and Emotional Well-being
❏ Learning Beyond Books
❏ Life Skills Development
❏ Leadership
“The great gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.” - Maria Montessori