Middle School

About The Middle School Curriculum

We have high expectations for all our students and look to ensure that they are challenged to master the knowledge, skills, and understanding required at each grade level. We believe that learning happens best when students learn for the sake of learning and not because they are working towards an external reward and thus we take an approach to assessment that emphasizes every student’s personal journey towards mastery. 

Assessment

The Middle School assesses students using a standards-based approach. In practice this means that teachers are constantly assessing students, taking the temperature of their learning in order to provide them with clear action-oriented feedback about the next steps required to move them forwards. The Middle School uses rubrics which map out the student’s journey towards mastering the standards we have prioritized over the course of the year.

We believe that to the greatest extent possible all students should master the curriculum by the end of the teaching year and we will support students who need an extra boost to achieve this. Our reporting system tracks this progress over time. 

Electives

We believe strongly in a holistic approach to education that develops students emotionally and socially as well as academically. To this end, as well as our core academic subjects, all students dedicate four hours a week to an elective of their choice. We also have a dedicated advisory program, a range of electives, community learning, and passion projects and a range of extra-curricular and enrichment options (including robotics, STEAM, and various music options) for students to follow their passions, develop their creativity and achieve personal fulfillment. 

Learning beyond the classroom

In addition to our student-centered, all-encompassing academic program, we offer our Middle School students opportunities to further enhance the curriculum as our students grow into successful young adults. Each student meets every day with a small group and an advisor. This advisor is the contact point for each student in the school 

Extra-Curricular Activities: Sports and Clubs

Students are encouraged to involve themselves in Middle School Clubs including National Junior Honor Society, Writing Club, and Art & Tech Club. The Middle School Athletics program offers full schedules in Swimming, Volleyball, and Soccer. 

The Global Games

All Middle School students are invited to compete in the “The Global Games,” an Olympics-themed event hosted on the Windermere Preparatory School campus. This event, held in December, features competitions between Nord Anglia Education schools in various individual and team sports.

Middle School Trips and Adventures

Costa Rica with its unique biodiversity and topography provides a rich opportunity for off-campus trips to extend learning. Our trips capitalize on Costa Rica’s focus on sustainability and ecology while emphasizing personal growth and leadership. Sixth, Seventh and Eighth-grade students are able to join well-organized, developmentally appropriate trips that both synthesize classroom learning and spark new ideas for future areas of study. Past trips have included camping in Punta Uva and working alongside researchers investigating turtle-hatching in Tortuga.