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Welcome to
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Menlo Middle School Educational Philosophy
The Middle School Division seeks to provide
students with
a
challenging and engaging
education within a nurturing community.
| Academic Challenge | Intellectual Engagement | Nurturing Community |
| Standards | Curriculum | Classroom Environment |
Our challenging curriculum provides an intellectual stretch that is also developmentally appropriate.
Our faculty maintains a high standard of academic excellence, supporting students of varying abilities striving to achieve their fullest potential. Students’ effort, initiative, and class contributions are seen as vital components of their learning process. |
Teachers promote curiosity and the excitement of learning in ways that also reveal their own intellectual passions. Interdisciplinary units allow teachers to collaborate on integrating topics and themes. Teachers connect the curriculum to real-world events, helping students appreciate the relevancy of what they are learning. |
Teachers understand the developmental stages of adolescence and support their students’ emotional, intellectual and social growth. Students have many opportunities to shine. Our faculty is committed to the success of every student. Classrooms are safe places for students to ask questions, make mistakes and explore ideas.
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| Skills | Student-Centered Focus | Character Development |
Critical and independent thinking skills are developed through encouragement of lively classroom discussions, active exploration and open debate. Instruction emphasizes the development of a “toolbox” of study and thinking skills. Students learn reading, writing and communication skills in all areas of the curriculum. |
Students often make their own choices in their learning, allowing individual interests and voices to emerge. Students have opportunities to reflect on their learning process and, guided by their teachers, make their own learning discoveries. Teachers respect and build upon the ideas and thinking of students. |
The School values and reinforces integrity and personal responsibility. Advocates create activities and prompt discussions of ethical and moral issues focusing on class relationships. Teachers emphasize ethical behavior and the development of confident, caring citizens, both in their curriculum and in the way classes are conducted. |
| Instructional Practice | Instructional Approach | School Organization |
Students develop, practice and apply fundamental concepts and skills in increasingly complex problems. Teachers use a variety of methods to assess student work and learning. Students are encouraged to become risk takers and to accept frustration and failure as a normal part of the learning process. Teachers have the freedom to explore select topics in greater depth with their students instead of relying on the more common “survey” approach.
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Projects and hands-on activities are important components of the curriculum. Multiple sources of instruction include textbooks, outside readings, technology, the community, manipulatives, experimentation and simulations. Students have many opportunities to learn and present their ideas in cooperative groups. Teachers present information in a variety of ways in order to support different learning styles. |
Grade-level teams meet regularly to share insights into their students. These teams review the homework load and pacing of tests and projects to help students manage their time and stress. The School values and encourages a close partnership with families through open and frequent communication. Students are encouraged to try new things, make new friends and discover or nourish a passion through a variety of enthusiastically supported extracurricular opportunities. Students develop close relationships with their teachers, who are available both inside and outside the classroom. |
Note: This is a working philosophy that is periodically reviewed and revised by the Middle School staff and serves to promote reflection and discussion among teachers and administrators.
