Middle School (6-8)
Independence, Critical Thinking, and Choice
The Middle Grades at MIS are intentional in their design to allow sixth through eighth grade students to explore both the world around them and their own identities as they stretch themselves into increasing independence. Our students learn to be both leaders and collaborators in small classroom environments rich in critical thinking and problem solving. Each member of our middle grades family is both celebrated for and supported in their individuality as they navigate the adventure of their pre- and early teen years. Every day we seek to deepen our understanding and practice of respect, responsibility, citizenship, and justice as members of a global community.
At MIS, Middle School students are…
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Independent thinkers.
Gifted students at MIS are provided with a toolbox of resources that allow them to learn through personal interests, passions, and advocating for themselves. They dive into real world issues that allow for problem solving and collaboration with equally curious peers. Individualized schedules challenge each student and help them reach personal learning goals, because at MIS, no one waits to learn. Students are offered 1-8 electives per year, which further fosters a personalized learning map and room for students to explore distinctive interests. Teachers at MIS are considered co-learners who are committed to a growth mindset and intellectual risk-taking in a safe environment for themselves and the students at-large.
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Creative change agents.
Creativity is essential to driving any successful learner. At MIS, student-driven initiatives and passions are at the forefront of student learning. Students are introduced to a global classroom through meaningful international travel, exploring new countries every year. These travel experiences foster a learning environment far beyond any that can be obtained in a school building. Other avenues for creativity are found within our after school programs. These activities support and extend opportunities for students to explore their creativity through interests of choice, developing and building on talents.
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Thoughtful leaders.
From the beginning of a student’s journey at MIS, we encourage leadership in and out of the classroom. Weekly leadership classes reinforce change-making skills. Students learn and practice how to communicate across platforms, settings, and audiences. Debate is a learning strategy which enables students to confidently express and defend a point of view through public speaking. This encourages students to accept diverse perspectives that may be different from their own. This model ultimately shapes students into growing leaders and contributing members of our community and world.
Teaching Philosophy
At MIS, we recognize that the Middle School experience can more fully support the advanced cognitive and/or creative abilities of gifted learners by implementing these strategies across the curriculum:
Exploring content in depth.
Navigating the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of content.
Thinking about the content’s abstractions and mysteries.
Creative application of learning.
Critical assessment of information and sources.
Accelerated delivery of content.
Authentic and meaningful connections to the world.
A Day in the Life of an MIS Middle School Student
Transitioning from elementary school to the middle grades, each student receives a highly individualized schedule suited to their own unique gifts, interests, and areas for growth. Students schedules expand to include a variety of unique electives and, for four days a week, a concentration in one of six languages (French, Spanish, Mandarin, and German and American Sign Language).
Middle School (6th through 8th grade) follow a schedule closer to that of the high school students. They enjoy six-hour long classes Monday through Thursday that include math, English, social studies, science, a language of their choice, and PE. Fridays are very special as each student explores four hour-and-a-half long electives.
“MIS challenges students to adopt growth mindsets, remain curious about life, seek justice, advocate for themselves and others, and to forge their unique paths all in a safe, nurturing, and dare I say, fun environment.”
— MIS Parent
A Message from our Principal, Dr. Munib Rezaie
Hello and welcome from your K-8 Principal! My name is Dr. Rezaie, and it is my pleasure to be a part of your MIS experience. The middle grade years are an exciting span of immense growth and learning for all students. Here at MIS we work diligently to support and guide that growth in a way that encourages our students to be confident in their own identities, unafraid to ask questions of themselves and the world around them, curious and critical seekers of knowledge and understanding, and kind, uplifting members of their community. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. We are happy you are here.