The Compass Middle School, Grades 7 and 8
The middle school curriculum is specifically designed for “where students are” academically and socially. It is engaging and dynamic and takes into account the often-dramatic developmental differences between young people at this time in their lives. The curriculum enables graduating 8th graders to smoothly transition to high school on both an academic and personal level.
The Compass Middle School has its own unique culture and yet is integrated with the Compass High School community.
This affords our students many excellent educational opportunities with older students and Compass high school faculty. Some of these include: health classes, Community Service Winter Term, higher-level courses, student mentors and role models, exploratory classes and ELOs, and use of state of the art technology and sports teams.
Perhaps most important in this relationship is the constant exposure the 7th and 8th graders have to a larger culture of care and quality. They witness first hand that caring for each other and about their education continues through high school. This modeling helps middle schoolers to navigate adolescence and develop the maturity to remain true to themselves.
The Middle School at Compass is an outstanding learning opportunity for students in the 7th and 8th grade whether they intend to remain at Compass or attend another educational institution for high school.
Middle School Program Highlights
Advisory
Advisory is a long-term commitment to the personal and academic growth of every Compass student. Advisory meets 2 times per week for 30-60 minutes. An advisory typically has between 6-10 students and one faculty advisor who remain together for two years.
Middle School Community Meetings
These occur once or twice a week and include: current events presentations designed to keep students connected to what is happening in the world today, student and community celebrations and issues, activities to promote health and wellness, and time to work together on reflections on learning.
Travel Experiences
Experiences that take students outside of their cultural framework are vital for their development and give them greater perspective on their own lives, interests and relationships. Each year the entire Middle School student body has a Learning Expedition exploring a city or natural area.
In the past, destinations have included Boston, Maine, Washington, D.C., and Cape Cod. We also usually do at least one overnight camping trip, as well as many trips to take learning into the real world. We also have a variety of visiting educators and exchange students that join our community and add to its richness and diversity.
College Day
Each year the entire Middle School student body and staff visit one or two college campuses in the region to give the students a glimpse of college life and the opportunities available to them.
