Severn Middle School
FROM HERE TO THERE
ONE SEVERN
We believe that there are many ways to lead, and that every student has the potential to be exceptional.
OUR MISSION
Severn School challenges its students to pursue excellence in character, conduct, and scholarship, to marshal the courage to lead, and to contribute to the world around them.
We believe this is best realized in a community where adults model these qualities, where a culture of belonging is fostered, and where each student is known and valued.
At Severn School, we envision a world where education is about more than what you know—it’s about who you are. We also recognize that at its best, education is a set of building blocks designed to meet students where they are and then prepare them to reach their potential.
Your child will be nurtured in ways that resonate personally, because at Severn, every student is known and valued. And when students feel known, they gain the confidence to speak up, take risks, explore new opportunities, and pursue their passions.
Severn’s three divisions—Lower, Middle, and Upper—strategically and seamlessly address student needs at each stage, preparing them to excel in the moment, at the next academic level, and beyond. Severn students thrive because they develop agency for their learning and build confidence by engaging in authentic and collaborative experiences that spark curiosity and joy. They accomplish all of this within a caring and connected community. From their first day as an Admiral, every Severn student is on a journey designed to instill in them the intellectual agility, integrity, and knowledge necessary for success in our everchanging world.
Once an Admiral, Always an Admiral!
Severn students apply only one time. There is no application required after initial enrollment, even when moving up to the next division.
A Word from Our Head of School
Since 1914, Severn School has been preparing students to positively impact the world around them.
Today, that commitment to providing the very best education remains steadfast, our mission unchanged. The focus on community and personal growth and development also remains unchanged, as it lies at the very heart of the Severn experience. What has evolved is the way students learn, and what they will do with the knowledge gained in the classroom. As such, Severn will continue to innovate, offering a curriculum that is both challenging and inspiring, designed to equip students with the skills and competencies that represent a reframed definition of leadership.
I invite you to see for yourself what it means to be an Admiral. As you explore Severn, you won’t have to look very far to see examples of our values in action, and the joy of learning that is evident within this community.
Doug Lagarde, Head of School
SEVERN’S FIVE CORE VALUES
Our values are the essence of the Severn community and the code by which we live. They are the heart and soul of Severn School.
Welcome to Severn’s Middle School
At Severn’s Middle School, we meet students where they are, welcoming them into an environment designed to help them cross the bridge from childhood into young adulthood with the skills, confidence, perseverance, balance, and independence they need to thrive at the next level and beyond.
We recognize the unique challenges and opportunities for profound personal growth in this critical three-year span of a child’s development. We meet those challenges by providing a structure that emphasizes the development of healthy work and study habits to ensure students can keep pace with increasing academic demands. However, we also focus on providing this age group opportunities to explore new ideas, take intellectual risks, and begin to make their own choices as they develop as independent individuals.
Severn Middle School students not only walk out with skills that build their character and social awareness, but they also build the academic skills that will set them up for success in the Upper School and beyond.
Severn is committed to providing a challenging program that supports and champions students who are growing through various developmental and emotional stages and who change daily as they experiment with who they are becoming.
Severn’s Middle School welcomes approximately 200 students in grades six, seven, and eight. The school day is optimized for adolescent learning, with numerous outdoor breaks and a rotating schedule of academic classes. Active, discussionbased learning is the norm at Severn, and the small classes allow for meaningful connections between faculty and students.
The Middle School is part of Severn’s Teel Campus in Severna Park, which also houses the Upper School (grades 9—12). While the Middle School is primarily self-contained in the Teel Academic Center, the proximity to the Upper School buildings allows students to become familiar with the US facilities, teachers, and student activities.
What to Expect at Severn Middle School
Students who are smart, enthusiastic about learning, and invested in the community.
A faculty that is singularly dedicated to teaching middle school students.
Teachers who have high expectations of students because they recognize their potential—and offer the support and encouragement needed to get every student from here to there.
Teachers, coaches, administrators, and advisors who know and value each student for who they are and who they aspire to be.
Limitless opportunities for students to make discoveries that spark joy, creativity, and curiosity.
A carefully designed program that provides the right mix of structure and independence to meet the needs of every student during a time of rapid personal growth.
A place where people hold the door, and every morning, the Head of School greets students by name.
A place where learning is fun and it’s cool to be smart.
Where Innovation and Education Meet
The Severn Middle School curriculum is intentionally developed with the adolescent brain and learning styles in mind.
It serves not simply as a transition between the foundation of Lower School and the rigor of the Upper School but as an important academic journey of its own.
The talented and innovative Severn faculty find great joy in working with this age group, and constantly innovate to design engaging and impactful lessons. Step into a Middle School classroom, and you’ll find students working collaboratively to solve equations on the whiteboard, actively discussing a piece of literature, preparing for a mock congressional hearing, or practicing conversation skills in a foreign language by role-playing a shopping trip.
“People ask me what Dom likes about the Middle School and my answer is, ‘What doesn’t he like about it?’ His experience there has been even better than I imagined.”
Michael Gargagliano `99 P`23, `30
Severn recognizes that the young students coming together in the Middle School vary significantly in their experiences, interests, and abilities. Therefore, teachers make no assumptions; instead, they meet students where they are and begin the critical work of solidifying and furthering their skills as writers, thinkers, mathematicians, public speakers, artists, and more.
The student–teacher relationship is a critical ingredient for success. Faculty encourage students to think critically, building on their academic foundation as they gain confidence in expressing and articulating new ideas. Students are also strongly encouraged to be accountable and advocate for themselves—a concept that they transition to seamlessly because they are authentically known and valued.
Everything about Severn’s Middle School—from the intentionality of the daily schedule to the progressively challenging curriculum to the social activities—is designed to optimize the experience, value, and outcomes for this age group. Ultimately, the Middle School journey is about tackling new academic challenges while navigating major adolescent transitions.
Guiding Growth, Building Leaders
Severn’s signature curriculum is designed to build essential skills and foster leadership qualities, guiding students toward success, both now and in the future. And it all begins with Transition to Teel.
TRANSITION TO TEEL (GRADE 6)
Ready. Set. Grow.
A critical part of the Severn Middle School experience is the learning foundation that is established in sixth grade. Recognizing how important it is to provide an enriching and engaging environment to the students facing this unique adjustment, Severn established Transition to Teel, an impactful series of courses designed to cultivate a smooth transition to Middle School life.
With the influx of new students from different schools, neighborhoods, and learning environments that happens at the start of Middle School, Transition to Teel levels the playing field and ensures that every student has a rock-solid foundation from which they can grow. It’s a time when students develop time management and organizational skills, learn how to study, and embrace accountability and self-advocacy. Most of all, it’s a time for confidence-building, as students become more independent and begin the important work of figuring out what they find interesting and inspiring.
Transition to Teel is where the seeds of academic and personal growth are planted, allowing adolescents to grow.
ENRICHMENT FOCUS AREAS
` Study Skills
` Critical Reading of Nonfiction
` Introduction to Innovation and Design Thinking
` Digital Citizenship
` Wellness
` Mindfulness
SCAN FOR DETAILS ON TRANSITION TO TEEL
“I feel like Severn prepared me for the transition from both Lower to Middle and Middle to Upper School. Whether it was the accountability, developing good study skills, or practicing mindfulness … every part of my experience in Middle School set me up for success going into the Upper School. Severn has been by my side for every transition, helping me to be my own best self.”
Rowan Ward `27
Enrichments (Grades 7 & 8)
Severn seventh- and eighth-grade students round out their academics with enrichment courses that provide them with the opportunity to try new things and pursue wider interests and goals. With one set of required enrichments each year, this initiative also reinforces Severn’s commitment to helping students become effective public speakers (Grade 7—Speech) and to refine their writing skills (Grade 8—Wordsmith Workshop). The other required enrichment—Health & Wellness—is a series of interactive seminars designed to equip students with knowledge, information, and attitudes to support healthy decision-making. Students split their time between these two required classes during one of the four quarters.
In the remaining three quarters of the school year, students choose from a selection of courses within three pillars: Arts; Humanities; and Science, Design, and Engineering. Examples of course offerings include:
Arts
A cappella, Dance, Digital Music, Comic Books & Graphic Novels
Humanities
Film Study, Exploring History, Debate, Model United Nations
Science, Design, and Engineering
Principles and Tactics of Chess, Forensics, Intro to Computer Coding/Programming, Robotics and Engineering
Enrichments take place three days a week (M, W, F) during Period 7 (1:30–2:15), with the other two days reserved as study hall time. Students are encouraged to use this time on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on assignments or meet with teachers for extra help as needed.
Advisory Program
The Middle School Advisory Program at Severn pairs each student with a full-time faculty advisor and 10–12 peers. Students spend the first ten minutes of every school day in Advisory. This fosters relationships, builds community, and instills a sense of belonging. Advisors guide students, advocate for them, and enhance school–home communication. The program also creates space to cover character education, wellness, and community topics.
Values Program
Severn is a community, and with that comes the expectation of respect for others. The Values Program is a series of tangible lessons and activities that reinforce character education. Founded in Severn’s core values, the program content touches on the practical application of them. Instead of just assuming that middle schoolers “get” it, core ideas— such as inclusion, respect, kindness, integrity, courage, and excellence—are woven into games, discussions, activities, and more. This ensures that every student can make a meaningful connection to the material.
The Middle School Student of the Month initiative is an extension of this program, recognizing students with concrete examples of positive actions related to the value that is the focus each month.
Public Speaking
In order to be effective leaders, students must be effective speakers. Whether that’s by clearly articulating ideas to a small group of peers in the classroom or speaking in front of a larger audience, Severn students practice and hone this skill set early and often. One of the signature public speaking opportunities in the Middle School takes place in eighth grade, when every student delivers a speech on a topic of their choosing to the entire middle school.
Discover Severn Middle School
Hear from different students and teachers about everything that makes Severn Middle School unique.
WATCH OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL VIDEOS.
Nurturing Success Beyond the Classroom
At Severn Middle School, our students are at the center of everything we do. Our thoughtfully designed schedule optimizes learning, while the extensive support available beyond the classroom ensures every student thrives.
“Severn
School values the whole child. If you send your student here, they’re not only going to walk out with skills that build their character and social awareness, but
they’re also going to build the academic skills that will set them up for success in the Upper School and beyond.”
Kathleen Donovan, Dean of Students
After School Program (ASP)
For Middle School students that need supervision after school, our After School Program provides a safe, supervised space to do homework, read, participate in faculty-sponsored clubs, and socialize with friends. ASP is offered at no cost to MS families.
` ASP is available five days a week from 3 to 6 p.m.
` After signing in to ASP, students may:
` Visit the library
` See teachers for extra help
` Go to a scheduled tutoring appointment
` Attend a faculty-supervised club or music/voice lessons
` Visit the Learning Resource Center for MSAS (see next page)
` Other popular activities include attending home games to cheer on the Admirals, playing indoor/outdoor games, crafts, and reading time.
` There is NO fee for ASP, but a late charge will be assessed for any pickups after 6 p.m.
Learning Resource Center (LRC)
The LRC is located in the Teel Academic Center and provides comprehensive services to support the needs of the entire school community. Its services range from structured support for a student to drop-in assistance for a student working through a rough draft or difficult problem set. For Middle School students in particular, the LRC staff offer support for improving time management, note-taking, writing papers, reading strategies, study skills, and test-taking.
Middle School Academic Support (MSAS)
The LRC Team also offers MSAS, free academic support to all students on campus during after-school hours. Faculty offer individualized support checking student planners, scaffolding assignments, and offering strategies to chunk studying. Students can be matched up with National Honors Society peer tutors. MSAS also offers a quiet space to work with their peers and enjoy a snack.
MSAS IS AVAILABLE 3–5 PM ON TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND THURSDAYS.
Dress Code
The dress code in Middle School is just one example of the high standards we expect from students. Adherence to the dress code is an outer expression of respect and an opportunity for personal accountability. Students must be in dress code from arrival at school until the end of the school day.
Schedule
We know how students learn best. The Middle School schedule is therefore thoughtfully designed to achieve an age-appropriate balance among academics, enrichments, and activities. Not only do academic classes rotate—ensuring that no one class always occurs during a time of day when students are tired— but there are multiple outdoor breaks built in to allow for fresh air, socializing, and movement.
The Severn school day begins at 8 a.m. with Advisory. The Middle School rotates through six academic periods, with four classes meeting daily.
Sample Middle School Schedule
8:00–8:10 Advisory 8:10–9:10 Period 1 9:10–10:10 Period 2 10:10–10:25 Break 10:25–11:25 Period 3 11:25–12:00 Lunch 12:00–1:00 Period 4 1:00–1:30 FLEX 1:30–2:15 Period 7 (PE for 6th grade) 2:15–3:00 Period 8 elective for 6th grade, dismissal at 3pm 2:15–3:30
Period 8 sports for 7th & 8th grades
Middle School Sports
Integrity, sportsmanship, and perseverance are just a few of the lessons reinforced through participating in Severn’s athletic program. Seventh- and eighth-grade students have the opportunity to participate in competitive sports, gaining experience and new skills and also as preparation for sports in the Upper School. Practices are held during the last period of the day. Teams compete against other middle schools locally and in surrounding areas.
All Severn sixth-graders take Physical Education (PE) classes, where they are introduced to the sports that are available to them in their second and third years in Middle School. Physical Education classes are also offered to seventh- and eighthgraders during the winter and spring seasons.
“Severn students really are known and valued. Because of our small class sizes, the Advisory Program, sports teams, and other clubs, kids have multiple adults in the community who know them. Every kid really does have a place where they can truly be themselves.”
Whitney Etchison Library Director, Advisor, Coach
Middle School Socials and Clubs
Middle School students can also get further involved in the school community by joining one of the many clubs, running for Student Council, and participating in school socials.
` Clubs: Archery, Black Student Alliance, Book Club, Coding Club, United Spectrum
` Socials: Middle School Carnival (all grades), Movie Social (all grades), Miniature Golf (Grades 7–8), Bowling (Grade 6), Scavenger Hunt (Grade 6), Halloween Party (Grade 6)
The Arts at Severn
Our talented faculty lead a variety of performance groups, supporting students who wish to grow as artists, musicians, dancers, and actors. Students can also stretch creativity by performing in the Talent Show or at a Coffeehouse, or writing for the Admiral’s Pen. The Middle School puts on a Winter Concert, a Spring Concert, and one full stage production by each of the drama clubs.
ADMIRAL PRIDE
We Build Community
We empower students to thrive by centering our community and providing a strong foundation and unwavering support that builds their confidence and enthusiasm.
Severn Traditions
Severn’s traditions are as important to the community as they are fun. These shared experiences tie generations together and foster the pride, spirit, and sense of community that define the Severn experience. In the Middle School, students look forward to the following celebrated events:
` Field Day
` Service and Belonging Days
` Coffeehouses (Fall and Spring)
` Middle School Socials (by grade and all-school)
` Innovation Day
` Eighth Grade Team-Building Trip
` Minute to Win It Challenge
` Advisory Door Decorating
` Breadwinner Challenge
` Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony & Celebration Line
Admirals Parents’ Association (APA)
The APA hosts events, programs, and parent gatherings, and organizes volunteer opportunities throughout the school year in support of each other and our students. New families are matched with a current parent ambassador who can answer all your questions about life at Severn. As a parent, you are automatically a member of the APA.
“Middle School is complicated. Sometimes things are going well in class, on the athletic fields, and socially. Sometimes they’re not. And on tough days, students know they have people that support and understand them. It’s what being known and valued at Severn is all about.”
Mike Glasby, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
“I’m glad I went to Severn Middle School because it gave me the skills I needed to succeed in the Upper School. I’m involved in a bunch of clubs, sports, and other activities, including as Club Leader for Admiral TV. I pride myself on doing well academically. And I’m comfortable socially. All these things stem from seeds that were planted in Middle School, and I don’t think I’d be the same student I am today without that experience.”
—Lawrence Jacobs `25
Chesapeake Campus 1185 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Arnold, MD 21012
severnschool.com
410.647.7700
One Last Thing