Middle School

Middle School English Language Arts

The English program guides all students both native and non-native English speakers in developing coherence, clarity, precision, voice, structure and fluency in the exchange of ideas through oral and written communication.

Middle School Mathematics

The Mathematics program is designed to: apply and adapt a variety of strategies to solve problems; use mathematical language to clearly communicate mathematical thinking; recognize, identify, and apply mathematics in situations outside of the classroom; impart the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue college preparatory mathematics at the high school level.

Middle School Science

The Science program promotes integration and application of scientific principles and thinking in the daily lives of our students. AOSR students will be able to identify and solve real-world problems using a transdisciplinary approach, as they develop into globally minded and responsible citizens. Students will explore and understand their world through pattern-making, cause and effect, scale, proportion and quantity, systems, energy and matter, structure and function, stability and change. Students will investigate the interconnectedness of these concepts through disciplines including earth, life, physical and environmental science.

Middle School Social Studies

The Social Studies program places an emphasis on the appreciation of the past through the experimental approach, which includes taking advantage of the location of the school through field trips, collaborative work, oral presentations, mind mapping, and topic analysis  which helps them be aware of and interpret the world around them.

Middle School World Languages

The World Language program gives students the opportunity to study up to two world languages. They are highly encouraged to take Italian language classes with the option to also study Spanish or French. The World Language program is distinctive and specialized at AOSR: our teachers understand that each student joins the AOSR multicultural community with varying levels of language due to their previous studies, host country or languages spoken at home. Therefore, each student’s written and verbal ability is evaluated individually so that students are enrolled in the appropriate level for their continued growth, regardless of the middle school grade they are in.

Middle School Academic Support Classes

Study Skills Grade 6

The Study Skills program is designed to teach students strategies to improve their capacity to learn as well as give them support in reading, writing and independent work. Topics across grade 6 include: organization, study habits, reading, writing, planning, prioritizing, responsibility and leadership. Skills across grades 6-8 include: outlining/note taking, techniques for preparing for tests and oral presentations. The collective program will enhance a student’s ability to organize and prepare for their core subjects more effectively.

Resource

Resource covers a variety of topics across all content areas through small group and individual instruction. Students work to improve reading comprehension, writing and math skills such as literary elements, paragraph writing and numeracy skills. Organization, social, and problem solving skills are taught throughout the program. An important aspect of the middle school resource program is to support students’ exploration and understanding of their learning needs and begin practicing advocacy skills to support their unique educational needs throughout their school years and beyond. This is a general support class and students must qualify for the program by referral process.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

We strive to be responsive to the needs of our English Language Learner (ELL) students, who comprise a group of linguistically and culturally diverse learners, and to structure a successful academic experience for them. A variety of approaches are used to help students develop language proficiency, learn the central concepts and build knowledge in various disciplines. A caring, inclusive and safe learning atmosphere is established where students take intellectual risks and work both independently and collaboratively.

Our EAL Program is designed to provide English language instruction to non-native speakers. Students learn to communicate competently and refine the language skills necessary to participate successfully in class activities across all areas of the curriculum. EAL instruction serves as a bridge for the student until she/he can function competently in the general classroom. The duration of the EAL program is generally 2– 3 years but may vary according to individual student progress.

Placement

Placement in the EAL Program is made through a multiple assessment approach including:

• Biographical information
• Consultation with class teachers
• Review of students’ portfolios, report cards, other relevant information
• Administration of assessments such as the Stanford English Language Proficiency Test, to measure competency level in four basic areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Focused Academic Support for Writing

The Focused Academic Support for Writing Class is designed to develop and enhance the writing skills necessary to be successful both within the language arts curriculum and all other academic subject areas. Students will be given an opportunity to enrich their composition skills and increase academic vocabulary. Students will be encouraged to recognize formal academic language and apply accurate grammatical structure.

This is a targeted support class to assist students who have not reached grade level performance. Students are recommended for enrollment by their classroom teachers and/or assessment results. Upon successful demonstration of grade level mastery, students ill be recommended to exit the support course and enter and elective class.

Middle School Advisory Program

The Secondary School advisory program acts both as an important support for individual students, and an avenue for building school community.  AOSR advisory seeks to promote the development of effective learners, confident individuals, and caring contributors to the community. We believe that adolescents need to feel connected to at least one adult at school and feel recognized as valuable members of the school community. Knowing that experiences in the adolescent years are critical in the development of attitudes, habits, and interests that relate to success in later life, this advisory program has the following goals:

Goals:

• Create a caring community of learners
• Address students’ questions and concerns
• Support the development of AOSR's Student Profile
• Foster social and emotional well-being
• Help students better understand themselves and their relationships with others
• Build strong relationships between students and teachers
• Monitor and support student learning and personal growth

The Exploratory Cycle

The Exploratory Cycle is comprised of a rotation schedule of Drama, Art, and Design Technology throughout the school year. Students also have the opportunity to take a full year Concert Band or Choir class. These choices give our students the chance to experience a range of dynamic offerings so that they are able to make informed decisions about electives when they become high school students.

Middle School Cultural Trips

During the annual week-long Cultural Trips, students step off the AOSR campus and fully immerse themselves in another region of Italy. This week provides the opportunity to integrate experiential learning and life experience of travel within the curriculum, all while developing personal responsibility with the AOSR Profile of a Graduate traits.

Full Middle School Program Of Studies

Middle School Program Of Studies