The Middle School
Grades
6 through 8
Our program is built to afford students the opportunity to explore a range of content areas with pedagogical methods that meet their needs. We follow best practices of teaching and learning in curriculum and instruction, and meet the needs of our unique age range. Our faculty regularly engages in professional development and curricular revision to model the experience of lifelong learning for our students.
We believe that each child brings their unique self to our community and each individual is valued and celebrated. We push our children to ask good questions, to create, to wonder, and to push their own expectations for success. Whether they are taking on an algebra problem, questioning the morals of Atticus Finch, drawing a masterpiece, engaging in congressional
debates, or designing a lab, our students are not only learning content, but important life skills such as resilience, responsibility, hard work, problem solving, and collaboration. Students learn to advocate
for their needs and communicate effectively with their peers as well as the adults in their lives.
Habits of Mind Our students explore the 16 Habits of Mind across the curriculum where they engage in self-reflection of their thinking skills. Teachers integrate habits such as “managing impulsivity” and “thinking and communicating with precision” to encourage lifelong habits that serve students not only in academics, but promote positive social emotional growth.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Students in grades 6-8 explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through enrichment STEM Lab courses. They receive hands-on experience with robotics, programming, computational thinking, 3D printing, and engineering. Middle School STEM class prepares them for the Upper School STEM and computer science courses and allows students to apply their learning from science and math across the curriculum.
Foreign Language Instruction In 6th grade, students have exposure to every foreign language taught on the MA Campus; Chinese, French, Spanish, and Latin. This allows students to make an informed preference for studying a language in 7th grade and beyond. Our foreign language teachers are highly skilled in the communicative approach to teaching, and our students become immersed in the language and culture they study.
20Time Project Students engage in project-based learning and self-directed inquiry during 20 Time Projects. Students pose questions of their own interest and use time to go through the scientific method or design thinking process to solve a problem or answer their question.
Highly Trained Teachers Nearly 70 percent of our teachers hold advanced degrees, and they are given the resources necessary for professional development through workshops, seminars, and travel.
Honor Code MA’s Honor Code fosters trust, integrity, and honesty. Students sign the Honor Code and write the pledge on all major assignments and papers. The Honor Code is administered by a student-led Honor Council in grades 7-12.
Our 1:1 iPad program allows for personalized, creative instruction and higher order thinking. A majority of our 7th grade students participate in the Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program).
Award-winning Athletics Beginning in the 7th grade, students may participate on athletic teams. As of 2017, the Academy has earned 65 state championships – more than any public or private school in the River Region.
Learning Beyond the Classroom Middle School students have opportunities to participate in field trips and some over night trips. For example, students may travel to Jekyll Island, McDowell Farm School, and Washington, D.C., to bring science, history and culture to life.
Choral Music Middle School students have opportunities to participate in an award-winning choral program.
Enrichments and Electives Art, music, drama, speech and debate, STEM and world language offer outlets for curiosity, creativity, and a wide view of learning.
Our Advisory program builds relationships between students and teachers and develops strong character and camaraderie.
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MA Middle School Traditions
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1 S ixth Grade trip to Jekyll Island Science Center 2 S ixth Grade History Projects 3 S ixth Grade Olympic Games at Jasmine Hill 4 S eventh Grade Interdisciplinary Summer Reading Project 5 Seventh Grade Frog Dissection Project
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6 S eventh Grade Colonial History Project 7 Seventh Grade trip to McDowell Farm School 8E ighth Grade trip to Washington, D.C. 9F LIMP Festival at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
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10 Service Learning Opportunities 11 Math is easy as “Pi” Day 12 Eagle Day 13 Eighth Grade Research Paper 14 Student Council 15 Writers’ Club 16 E ighth Grade trip to Lanark, the Alabama Nature Center
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VAUGHN ROAD CAMPUS 3240 Vaughn Road Montgomery, Alabama 36106-2725 (334) 272-8210 FAX (334) 270-3240 W W W. M O N T G O M E R Y A C A D E M Y . O R G