A Distinct Approach
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The Middle School program is designed to nurture the intellectual, ethical, social/emotional and physical development of young scholars during their transition from childhood to adolescence. During this time, we challenge our young people to develop independent thinking, innovation and leadership. Students prepare for the Upper School by gradually transitioning from fixed classrooms with one teacher to rotating classrooms with multiple teachers. Students experiencing such rapid growth flourish in an educational environment that is distinctly different from either the Lower or Upper School models.
Our young scholars experience a dramatic shift in both their cognitive abilities and their socioemotional awareness. We foster this growth by structuring the curriculum around discussions and activities that connect the subjects learned in the classroom with the world beyond our walls. Emphasis on organization, critical thinking and treating everyone with dignity is central to all learning and aligns with our mission.
List of 3 items.
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Academics
The academic curriculum provides core courses that challenge the intellectual artistic and athletic development of each student and electives that spark new passions.- Foundational courses include English, mathematics, science, history and social science, and world languages.
- Enriching co-curriculum includes a variety of electives including public speaking, multimedia and environmental science.
- Progress of each student is monitored by an advisor, the grade-level team of teachers, the dean of students and the head and assistant head of Middle School.
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Arts
The visual and performing arts at LJCDS give students endless opportunities for expression and self-discovery in a variety of media. On-campus art exhibitions and play performances in the Four Flowers Theater and in the band are just a few examples. Various opportunities exist:- Drawing
- 3D Art
- Engineering Design and Construction
- Painting
- Band
- Strings
- Vocal Music
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Athletics
The athletic program provides students with opportunities to develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Grades 5–6 students focus on building skills that will help them compete in the interscholastic teams available to Grades 7–8 students. Athletic options include:- Flag football
- Lacrosse
- Cross Country
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Softball
- Baseball
- Strength Conditioning
- Yoga
- Tennis
- Fencing
- Cheerleading
We are focused on building our team; a team that is led by students and supported by teachers. Given this model, it is important to be a community of dedicated educators. We inspire our students to take risks; to master a task despite the number of attempts; to push through obstacles and to articulate or defend an idea regardless if in the end we find successes or failure. Inspiration arouses a student from indifference to opportunity and is best supported in a collaborative forum.
