Each day includes both unstructured and structured play. Elementary students have a 30-minute recess every day. This is in addition to a daily 45-minute PE class (a variety of indoor and outdoor lessons). We also schedule 45 minutes for elementary lunch and have that lunch outdoors as much as possible so that it can incorporate even more opportunities for movement and fresh air.

While we are not a "no homework" school, we value the family and recreational time that afternoons offer students. Homework is not viewed in the traditional sense at MIS, and when assigned, it is designed to maximize student learning opportunities in the classroom. We believe that the purpose of homework is twofold: 1) to get students to think more about the lessons they have covered or are going to cover, and 2) to open dialogue about the curriculum content with family. As we build and model life-long learning, we do not think learning should be wholly constrained within the school day; however, learning activities assigned for homework should be purposeful and intentional. For example, families might see homework designed to prepare students for in-class participation, such as research, brainstorming, or reading rather than homework that serves as a summative assessment of learning and grade value. As teachers engage in differentiating learning based on students needs, students may be asked to practice routine skills at home to become more familiar and fluent with the content. Homework time might also be used to complete make-up work after an absence, work on an assignment with an extended due date, make use of approved extended time where applicable, or finish incomplete work if a student’s choices kept them from using class time appropriately. If homework is assigned, it's design will allow class time to be prioritized for collaboration, discussion, productive work, and problem-solving.

There is one teacher per class of no more than 15 students.

Our code of conduct and progressive discipline procedures are outlined more specifically in our student and family handbook. Our overall goal is to make sure that we align our vision for our environment and the accountability within it with our core values.

We expect students to be active, engaged, and positive members of our learning community. Students, administrators, teachers, parents, and guardians at Midtown International School work together to support the mission of the school and uphold our values.

Expectations for conduct for all stakeholders in our community come back to upholding and modeling our four core values of respect, responsibility, justice, and citizenship and contributing to a school environment that is physically, emotionally, and socially safe.

Faculty members are committed to maintaining safe classroom environments. Students should report to an MIS staff or faculty member any behavior that is unsafe.

Faculty members will also clearly establish rules and expectations for behavior in the classroom that are consistent and with clearly communicated logical consequences.

Our progressive discipline plan is rooted in our core values and follows a restorative justice model in order to support, communicate, and structure self-reflection on how decision-making and accountability influence our role as citizens in our community.

At the elementary school level, the students rotate through three different languages each week having at least one class in each offered language, and two sessions of some as the master schedules allow.

Current languages in the elementary school are Spanish, Mandarin, and American Sign Language, but these offerings may vary as our different opportunities present themselves from year-to-year.

The goal of language instruction at the elementary level is exposure to the language acquisition process, developing a love for languages and the cultures that accompany them, and a conversational foundation developed over time.

At the elementary level, feedback on progress in language classes is narrative rather than numerical. Once students enter middle school, their language options expand, and they select one language to focus on as a graded core academic class.

We do offer after care as well as a variety of option after school programs. Learn more about our After School Programs.