WHAT MAKES SLS MIDDLE SCHOOL UNMISSABLE?
SLS HELPS UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL
“My teachers want me to talk!” exclaimed one Middle School student. At SLS, students’ voices and insights are valued as they learn more about themselves — What matters to me? What am I naturally good at and where do I have to apply myself more?
By engaging students in their learning, we shift the mindset from school as a chore to seeing each day as an opportunity to discover what you are capable of achieving. You can tackle challenging academics and love learning. You can speak up in class, deliver a public Declamation, and be in a play and on the soccer team. You can help others in your community. This is how confidence builds and a deep love of learning begins.
Head of School Dr. Mary Halpin Carter believes SLS is unmissable because we strive to inspire every student, teacher, and community member to discover their Big Selves — the person you become when you begin to unlock all the potential within you.
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YOU WILL BE PREPARED TO THRIVE
Middle school is a big deal. It’s when you start building important skills like reading, writing, math, and critical thinking (figuring out how to solve problems and make decisions). By the time you finish Middle School, you’ll be ready for the independence and challenges of 9th grade — research shows that 9th grade performance can predict your future success. That’s why SLS Middle School makes sure you have the core skills and strong foundation to thrive in Upper School.
SLS also wants you to succeed in a future that will be high-tech, collaborative and globally connected. Respect for diverse people and opinions is essential to your ability to thrive into the future as is experience with leadership and emerging technologies. Our vision is for students to leave SLS as ethical leaders and skilled conscientious creators and users of technologies shaping the world.
DEDICATED MENTORS & MOTIVATORS 3
As an SLS Middle School student, you will have a whole team focused on your success now and into the future. This includes your teachers, your advisor, your coaches, Grade-Level Deans, and a Well-Being & Academic Support team. Extra help is available before school, during dedicated free time, and after school. You will also be guided by our extraordinarily savvy library, learning & technology, and designLab teachers. As you move into Upper School, you will connect with our stellar College Counseling team who will already know you and your family.
In eighth grade, you will get a Compass Mentor — a one-on-one coach who will help you create a literal map for success in Upper School and beyond. Compass is a custom SLS program that we created to help our Middle School students launch really well in high school.
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UNMISSABLE FACT:
Eighteen out of our last twenty-four Valedictorians and Salutatorians first unlocked their potential in SLS Middle School.
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EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS
COLLEGE COUNSELING/ MATRICULATION
COMPASS PERSONALIZED COACHING
SLS IS FOR LIFE
When you graduate from SLS, it’s not goodbye — it’s more like ‘see you soon.’ Our alumni love coming back to the Hilltop (that’s what we call our campus) to hang out with teachers who’ve become their friends. SLS grads stay close during and after college, sharing apartments, traveling, and even getting married — we’ve had lots of SLS weddings!
An Unmissable Day
Go to your award-winning French program (one of 3 MS world languages). Today your class is working in our 3,000 square foot designLab to fabricate a jukebox that plays French music.
Hang with friends in the commons during lunch, then go outside to play. Spikeball anyone?
Start the day with a warm welcome from Head of School Dr. Carter and Head Dog Hefty.
Head to class where you’ll discover your inner poet, make factor trees in math, discover Native American artifacts, or erupt a volcano in Earth science.
Embrace your creative side in band, choir, and art class.
Begin to learn and practice what it means to be an ethical leader in your Leading with Humanity class.
Head to Advisory where you’ll connect in a small group with peers and teachers to help navigate your academic and social life.
Become a skilled, conscientious creator and user of the technologies shaping the world like Ethical AI and Robotics.
Free time? Meet with teachers for extra help or pop by a student club meeting like chess or animal care.
When the academic day is over, afterschool activities begin — sports, theater, debate, art, and STEM, there’s something for everyone!
SLS Middle School students have so many afternoon activities and athletic opportunities to choose from. These experiences help build character, develop leadership and resilience—and are really fun! We’ve made extracurriculars a core part of the student experience by requiring participation in two seasons of activities.
ADVICE FROM SLS ALUMNI: Explore as many programs as you can. You’ll discover new interests, build friendships, and grow in ways you never expected.
FALL ACTIVITIES
Art Studio
Debate Team
Blues Band
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Flag Football
Intramural Squash
Makers with designLab
Soccer
Technical Theater
Theater Production
Volleyball
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Art Studio Basketball
Chess
Debate Team
Ice Hockey Skills
Makers with designLab
Musical Theater Production
Ski Team
Squash
Technical Theater
Quiz Bowl
SPRING ACTIVITIES
Art Studio Baseball
Cross Country
Debate Team
Intramural Squash
Lacrosse
Makers with designLab
Softball
Tennis
Theater Production
Technical Theater
Quiz Bowl
UNMISSABLE FACT:
Niche ranked SLS the #1 College Preparatory Private High School in Fairfield County.
AN SLS PARENT DEFINES WHAT MAKES SLS UNMISSABLE
“Potential is the hardest thing to see bottled up in your kids. You believe in them, but maybe they don’t believe in themselves. Then, they meet that teacher who sees the spark of interest in something new, or that coach who quietly recognizes their potential and throws them into the deep end, that is the essence of the St. Luke’s experience. Through a thousand little leaps, choreographed and spontaneous, you suddenly find your child finding themselves, finding their voice, and finding purpose.”
- SLS Parent
SLS MISSION — OUR PROMISE TO FAMILIES: AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION THAT INSPIRES A DEEP LOVE OF LEARNING, A STRONG MORAL COMPASS, THE COMMITMENT TO SERVE, AND THE CONFIDENCE TO LEAD.
At SLS, we transform lives through a personalized, innovative education that combines academic rigor with an unparalleled commitment to kindness, community, and character. Our students thrive in a warm, supportive environment where they discover their unique strengths, learn to Lead with Humanity, and make meaningful contributions to the world. PLEASE COME VISIT SOON
St. Luke’s (SLS) is a secular day school for grades 5-12 located in New Canaan CT, serving over 30 towns in CT & NY.