PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: MIDDLE SCHOOL

1.       Our coeducational environment provides a comfortable and real world setting for the development of healthy friendships and interpersonal relationships between boys and girls. Our faculty is sensitive to gender issues within the academic setting. The diverse perspectives that coeducation contributes to classroom discussion is relished. The absence of either gender at this age may reduce the richness of the school experience for both students and faculty. 

2.       Within a developmentally appropriate program for the adolescent student, a daily homeroom meeting and a weekly advisory period guided by faculty members provides a forum for individual and group discussions relating to school experiences.  

3.       Service to the wider community is encouraged through chapel helpers for lower grades, alcolytes, chapel readers, Bay Grasses, Hereford Food Bank, Special Olympics, and disaster relief among other activities.  

4.       Our K-8 structure allows the middle school students to assume leadership roles, which are often reserved for older students in schools with Grades 6-12. Student Council and special activities with younger students develop close bonds—real self-image boosters for the middle schoolers.  

5.       The students attend a weekly faith development class with The Rev. Art Callaham, Curate of St. James Church. Using bible stories, the Book of Common Prayer, and the novels of C.S. Lewis ethical and moral issues are explored. Weekly Chapel attendance partners younger and older students in service participation.  

6.       The rigors of SJA’s academic program prepare students well for transition to a variety of high schools and colleges. Our graduates have been accepted and are attending Independent Day and Boarding institutions, as well as, many parochial and public high schools.  

7.       Differentiated Instructional techniques are implemented to address differing student and teacher learning styles. Long-term projects including term papers, Science Fair, Math games and activities, outside book projects, etc. encourage the use of students’ multiple intelligences. Weeklong field trips in the spring provide hands-on experiences. Sixth grade travels to Echo Hill near Chestertown, MD for team building activities and Chesapeake Bay study. Seventh graders journey to Sheridan Mountain School in Virginia for an outdoor challenge, which includes rock climbing and backpacking. Eighth graders travel to Charleston, SC to explore the local history and culture. 

8.       Ability grouping for Mathematics and Language Arts acknowledges that abstract reasoning develops at different times for each student. Challenging hands-on activities and problem solving can further the understanding of mathematical concepts. The math room and hallways often display projects that demonstrate the students’ efforts. Middle School students attend five, seven, or eight periods of Language Arts per week in eighth, seventh and sixth grades, respectively. Coursework includes literature, written composition, creative writing, vocabulary, and grammar.  Grade eight students carry out a cross-curricular research project. In each grade level an accelerated English and/or Social Studies group is available.  

9.       Social Studies and Science meet five times per week. Social Studies integrates current events into the study of history, current and ancient cultures, geography and economic systems throughout the world. A state of the art science lab provides a learning environment equipped for hands-on experiments. The grounds of SJA and an outdoor classroom offer a perfect setting for environmental studies.

10.   World Language offerings include French, Spanish, and Latin. Students in grade six are placed in Spanish or French and during the three years in middle school a full first year course of study will be completed. High school placement may subsequently be in advanced foreign language or a second year program depending on student achievement. Latin class meets three times a week for one trimester of the eighth grade year to provide an introduction to the classical roots of our language.  

11.   Students work with technology in the Library and Computer Labs in coordination with their Science, Social Studies, Math and Language Arts study. Our computer research center in the library includes CD-ROMS and on-line resources to support curriculum studies. Classroom Internet access and a  Wireless Mobile Lab allow teachers and students ready access to technology. A formal research paper and oral presentation using PowerPoint software to present research findings is required of all eighth grade students.  

12.   For students in grade six the year begins with a five-week study skills/get acquainted course. Grade seven students spend Tuesday afternoons during the first five weeks of school investigating careers.  Adults from the community share information about their careers during Career Day, students research and create display boards and later in the year spend a day with a professional in their area of interest. The students in grade eight meet with the head, admission director, school counselor, and faculty to explore the high school admissions process. Dr. Legenhausen also conducts a weekly leadership class with eighth graders. Many families have expressed their appreciation for these special offerings, observing direct results with their students.  

13.   Our emphasis on educating the “whole child” supports Art Education. Art classes are held twice per week for all of our middle school students who achieve curricular objectives by exploring various media while engaged in constructive critique, as well as study the lives of renowned artists. Field trips have included an architectural hunt at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and visits to exhibitions at the Walters and the BMA. Drama, Instrumental, and/or Vocal Music, including a weekly Music Appreciation class, are scheduled for all students three times per week for one trimester each year,.  Performances by the school enrichment band occur at special events during the year. An annual spring Celebrate the Arts evening and music recital provide an opportunity for all students to demonstrate their talents individually and in ensembles. Private individual instrumental music and voice lessons are also available after school.  

14.  In addition to three Physical Education classes in sixth and seventh grades and twice-weekly classes in eighth grade, our athletic program has expanded to full interscholastic competition of over 50 contests per annum. Students can select among at least three sports in each of three seasons including: soccer, field hockey, cross-country, basketball, volleyball, tennis, golf, baseball, and lacrosse. Students who do not participate in an after-school sport may choose to volunteer as team managers or spirit team members, attend an after school study hall, or 3:00 p.m. dismissal on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  

15.   A broad selection of clubs is available to middle school students, as well. This Tuesday afternoon activity period includes: yearbook staff, chess club, ceramics, hiking, and woodworking, for example. Students are encouraged to explore new areas of endeavor. Ballroom dancing, etiquette, and life skills (sewing, ironing, balancing a checkbook) are introduced to all sixth graders during their required club sessions. Patrons’ sponsored Teen Centers and Student Council hosted semi-formal dances are held for students to practice their social and dance skills.  

16.   An annual fall Middle School Challenge incorporates activities to encourage community building across grade levels. These activities have included a corn maze challenge, a trip to Splashdown where advisory groups plan and perform humorous water ballet skits, and GPS orienteering in Harpers Ferry.  

17.   “Moving–up Day” is supported by Student Council members for all fourth through eighth grade students in June. This meaningful program recognizes the transition of increased privileges and responsibilities concomitant with grade level promotion, as well as moving eighth grade up to Alumni Status.  

18.   Student integration into our community takes many forms. New sixth graders are welcomed to SJA during a Pizza Party in May. All new students to SJA are invited to attend an orientation program prior to the beginning of the school year. A new student breakfast is held in September with Student Council officers as hosts, as well.