Notes From The Hill

The Middle School years are a time of transition for most students and families. Navigating today’s educational landscape can be challenging. How do parents know their students’ needs are being met? If they are growing academically as well as socially-emotionally? If they are making the most of their experience?

While these five components help ensure all students have an ideal learning experience, they are especially important for students during the pivotal middle school grades. 

Student-Centered Learning Experiences

Traditionally, the classroom experience is a teacher who is an expert in a particular field, standing at the front of the room instructing while students listened, took notes and asked questions now and then. In a student-centered classroom, students play an active role in planning a more interactive approach. Teachers continue to be the subject matter experts serving more as a guide for students to learn content and have unique experiences.

Intentional Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social emotional learning happens in Middle School whether it is intentional or not. Students learn to navigate their emotions by taking cues from other students and adults in their lives. Social emotional learning needs to happen intentionally through programs where students meet with teachers to talk about topics that are not necessarily academic in nature but pertain to their experience. For students to succeed academically they need to feel safe, supported, comfortable and confident. This is developed through an intentional SEL program.

Opportunities for Student Choice

Students don’t have much choice in elementary environments, which is entirely age appropriate. Students in high school have a large variety of choices including coursework and free time. Middle School is a time to transition students between these two experiences. The following opportunities allow students the ability to ease into making more of their own decisions and experiencing more independence:

• Guided academic latitude enables students to decide their approach to a project, material or assessment and demonstrate their knowledge through a variety of channels such as writing a paper, giving oral presentations, or creating a poster.

• Exploratory programs allow students to examine different ideas or passions they might have.

• Intentional time for socialization and play provides Middle School students with time to engage socially as well as get some fresh air to come back refreshed, recharged, and ready for learning.

Engaging Co-Curricular Activities

Middle School often is the first opportunity for students to engage in new activities or deepen an existing interest. Activities such as athletics, fine arts, academic enrichment, and leadership opportunities add to the life of the Middle School student and are vital to their education.

Caring, Knowledgeable Adults

It truly takes a village to guide students, especially through Middle School. Having an environment with adults who are passionate about working with pre-teens, as well as being an expert in one or more subject areas, is important. Ideally, teachers connect with students beyond academics and engage in a partnership with parents. Having a well-crafted student support structure, with multiple levels including advisors, deans, counselors, and administrators, helps students feel connected and encouraged.

Every opportunity to engage with students in multiple areas outside of the classroom pays off in the classroom with their academic learning and social development.