Middle School | Grades 5-8

Overview: Middle School
What kind of educational experience will prepare young people best for college and the changing future beyond? Our enduring belief is that the fundamental skills of reading, writing, and mathematics will continue to be essential aspects of any strong education.

We are convinced that students who have been solidly prepared in core subjects and the arts will not only continue to have competitive advantages at college but will be in a position as adults to respond positively to a changing society. Processing and utilizing information, analyzing and synthesizing complex problems, using technology as an important tool for learning and research, honing teamwork skills, and developing and maintaining a passion for learning are all vital for today's student.

At Elgin Academy, Middle School students receive an education that is rooted in the best traditions of our country's college preparatory schools. At the same time, we are aware of the future needs of our students. The reality for those who will live the majority of their lives in the 21^st Century is that they will encounter myriad changes. While change is certain, its exact nature is not. We believe that both our curriculum and our community experience offer students a unique opportunity to face the future with confidence and enthusiasm. We invite you to learn more by reading this document, visiting our Middle School, and meeting with our faculty.

Middle School Curriculum
[Download a PDF version]
Our program provides significant structure and ensures a core background for fifth through eighth graders. Students are required to take mathematics, English, science, social studies, mythology, computer, humanities, foreign language (French, Spanish or Latin), the arts (music, visual arts, and theatre), and physical education. Underlying the core curriculum is an acknowledgment of the importance of character education. We agree with the words of Socrates that the goal of education is to enable our children to be both smart and good.

Curricular Enrichment
Our learning is enhanced with special activities, including Biographers' Tea, Trip Week (Outdoor Education), Colonial Day, Math Week, Evenings of the Arts, Meeting on Mount Olympus, Field Trips, Author Assemblies, Spelling Bee, Science Fair, Poetry Recital, and Interdisciplinary Projects.

Middle School Faculty
A broad range in faculty age and experience ensures a dynamic classroom environment for our students. Our teachers come from a variety of colleges and universities across the country. Our Middle School instructors are an outstanding group of educators. They bring academic expertise to the classroom along with a genuine love for what they do.

"What keeps me coming back is watching students' enthusiasm and sharing their growth as individuals. I learn new things and grow constantly in this environment. How could anyone not love it?"

- Barbara Nation
Teacher of Science and Language Arts
for more than 31 years (10 years at EA),
on teaching at the Academy

Our teachers impart knowledge at the same time they challenge students to stretch their critical thinking skills and expand their horizons. Small class sizes and our teachers' awareness of the variety of learning styles and differences help provide personalized instruction. Also, Learning Plan Conferences enable students to set both academic and personal goals at the beginning of the year and work to fulfill them during the year, a cooperative effort involving teacher, student, and parents.

School Hours: Middle School (5-8)

8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Middle School Admission Process
The Academy has "rolling enrollment" which means that we continue to accept applications and screen prospective students for admission as long as there is space available in our classrooms. However, we recommend that applications be completed as early as possible for the upcoming Fall Semester to ensure ample screening and review time. Application materials are available by contacting the Admission Office at 847.695.0303 or by e-mail.

Early application is strongly recommended. Late applicants with completed files will be given wait-list status and notified of the first available opening.

Tuition and Fees
Parents are asked to make a non-refundable deposit upon acceptance into the program (deposit amount is then deducted from the tuition balance).
Details and Related links: Tuition and Fees | Payment Options | Financial Aid Grant Awards

The Next Step
Prospective families should call the Admission Office at 847.695.0303 to schedule a student shadow visit day and ERB Test date. The Admission Office will gladly answer any additional questions you may have about the Middle School program. Also, on-campus Saturday morning Admission Receptions for prospective families are held monthly. This is a great opportunity for families to learn about the Academy, meet faculty and division directors, and tour the campus with current Student Tour Guides (also see Admission Receptions and ERB Tests for dates).

Trip Week
Middle School students participate in trip week each year. The program is based on a number of principles; during his/her Middle School tenure, a student will have a chance to learn about the environment, bond with his/her classmates and teachers, and test his/her individual limits in a safe environment. Each trip is designed with these goals in mind. Trip Week is a hallmark of the EA experience.

Textbooks
Textbooks for both the Middle and Upper Schools are required at the beginning of each school year and can be purchased online through MBS Direct by following this link directly to EA's book lists:
- http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/elginacad.htm

Or, you can phone in your order by calling MBS Direct's toll-free number at 800-325-3252. Generally both new and used books are available online. The approximate cost for books is $320 for Middle School and $450 for Upper School. The cost for advanced placement course texts is slightly higher.

Middle School Athletics
The chance to participate in athletics is an important educational opportunity for adolescents. The lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy competition are crucial aspects of a young adult's development. Several of our recent graduates have made the leap from high school to college athletics. While this is undoubtedly not the main objective of our program, we do provide students at every level a chance to excel and benefit from the experience. Middle school sports include soccer, field hockey, basketball and where numbers warrant, softball and baseball. [See main Athletics page for a full listing of sports activities.]

Other Co-curricular Opportunities
Middle School students may participate in a number of activities: Student Council (grades 5/6 and 7/8), Middle School Chorus, Battle of the Books (grades 5-6), Reading Club (grades 6, 7, 8), our student magazine, EA in the Middle, Reading Time with the Preschool, Service Projects, "Let's Read Literacy Program" (grades 5-8), and EA Tour Guides. Through Music Education Services, students may take instrumental lessons, and piano lessons are also available with two instructors on campus.

For additional information on EA's Middle School, please contact:

Sandy Revak
Middle School Director
847.695.0309, ext. 247
srevak@elginacademy.org

Melissa Dugan
Middle School Dean of Students
History Teacher
847.695.0309, ext. 265
mdugan@elginacademy.org

School Hours:
8:15 am - 2:45 pm on school days