The Middle School Program

Jan Deason, Middle School Program Director

To consider the school as the place where instruction is given is one point of view. But to consider the school as a preparation for life is another. - Maria Montessori

Arbor’s Middle School program offers a challenging curriculum in an environment that is conducive to the academic, personal, and social needs of 12 to 14 year olds. The program is based on Maria Montessori’s directive to educate the “whole child.”

A YOUNG ADOLESCENT IS SOMEONE IN SEARCH OF…

Responsibility. Adolescents are anxious to contribute in a meaningful way. At Arbor Middle School, students have many opportunities to experience the responsibilities of leadership and of making choices within a loving, supportive environment.

Knowledge. With their expanding capacity for abstraction and critical thought, adolescents are highly creative thinkers and learners. Arbor Middle School’s interdisciplinary project-based approach supports flexible thinking and a personal connection to what students are learning.

Connection. Adolescents long to feel a sense of belonging within their peer group. Arbor Middle School is a unique place where the concepts of acceptance and belonging are discussed and where each student agrees to take responsibility for creating a place where everyone feels welcome and valued.

Self. At Arbor Middle School, we seek to bring forth what we call the noble adolescent. We believe that by calling to the adolescent’s highest self, by respecting and honoring each student’s differences and complexities, we create fertile ground for his or her individual growth.

ARBOR MIDDLE SCHOOL’S UNIQUE APPROACH TO LEARNING

In order to accommodate a wide range of interests and learning styles, teachers vary their techniques in the classroom; lectures, seminars, group learning, and hands-on activities are all employed to target different types of learners. In this way, teachers can expect students to be fully engaged in their learning. At Arbor Middle School, students demonstrate their mastery of material thorough various methods: quizzes and tests, book reports, oral presentations, group work, visual projects, demonstrations, and labs.

ARBOR MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A LEADER IN THE FIELD OF ADOLESCENT EDUCATION

According to the Carnegie Foundation, a middle school “should be a place where close, trusting relationships with adults and peers create a climate for student’s personal growth and intellectual development.” The Foundation suggests a small, “one-house” school to eliminate fragmented learning and to encourage opportunities for teachers to develop “sustained personal relationships with students.” At Arbor, teachers act as coaches for project-based learning in each subject area as well as advisors for individual students. The small class size, one-room school, and access to teachers as guides keep Arbor Middle School on the cutting edge of adolescent education.

EVALUATION OF STUDENTS

In measuring student progress Arbor emphasizes formative evaluation. Our goal is to help students identify their individual strengths and weaknesses as they assess their progress. Standardized tests supplement our own measurements of student achievement. In addition to grades combined with written evaluations, parent-teacher-student conferences are held twice a year. Arbor carefully prepares students for a smooth transition to public, private or parochial high schools. Our teachers work closely with parents, students and other schools to assure proper placement of our graduates in their new academic communities.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Spanish is an enriching part of the middle school curriculum, ensuring students a solid foundation in this language before entering high school. Each member of Arbor Middle School has the chance to become part of Phoenix athletics; there are no try-outs for our girls and boys basketball, cross country and track teams. There are opportunities for participation on the debate team, and many chances for creative expression in our art and music classes. Each spring the students direct, choreograph, create sets and lighting, and act in a dramatic production.

“It is the education of adolescents that is important, because adolescence is the time when the child enters on the state of adulthood and becomes a member of society.”
--Maria Montessori

ARBOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADUATES HAVE ATTENDED…

Atlanta International School
Blessed Trinity High School
Chamblee High School Magnet Program
Decatur High School
DeKalb School of the Arts
Druid Hills High School
Galloway High School
Grady High School Magnet Program
Greater Atlanta Christian
Lakeside High School
Norcross High School International Baccalaureate Program
North Atlanta International Studies Program
North Springs High School Fine Arts Program
Pace Academy
Parkview High School
Southwest Dekalb High School
St. Pius X High School
The Lovett School
The Paideia School
Westminster
Woodward Academy

Arbor delights in the special challenge of educating adolescents. We welcome applications from graduates of other Montessori elementary programs and from students with no previous Montessori experience.