Middle School is a transition between elementary and high school. We provide a nurturing environment, and we challenge students to advocate for themselves and develop a good work ethic. Our goal is to prepare students for the college-preparatory expectations of 9th – 12th grade by instilling independence, responsibility and resilience. We are acutely aware of developmental and cognitive stages of a middle school student, making our curriculum and activities intentionally aligned with those stages. Separate spaces for Middle and Upper School students are designated for naturally social environments and include lunch, drop off, chapel and lockers to ensure our youngest Munnerlyn Campus students gain confidence while in Middle School.
Based upon brain research about relative strengths and developmental differences between male and female brains during pre-adolescence, most 7th and 8th grade mathematics classes and advisory are gender-specific. Advisory meets daily and are 10 -12 students per advisory group (7th and 8th grade). Advisors facilitate school-home communication, serve as a support for students and parents, advocate for students and help students transition back to school after illness.
Depending on the subject and grade level, students are placed in courses based on teacher recommendations, transcripts and scores from both standardized testing and subject-specific competency testing. Students are not placed on an academic “track” at Episcopal but are instead encouraged to take courses that suit their strengths.
