ACADEMICS
Meet Our MIDDLE Division
Children in our Middle Division build on the foundational skills developed in the Lower Division and begin to take on increasing levels of independence and ownership. Middle Division students receive lockers for the first time and are taught how to organize their materials in a zipper binder that follows them from class to class. As the coursework becomes increasingly complex, a heavy emphasis on executive functioning characterizes much of the instruction in the Middle Division. Social skills and character building also plays a more explicit role.
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A STUDENT
Arrival
Although the school day starts at 8:00 A.M., all students are welcome to come to school as early as 7:15 A.M. Nine year old Noah arrives at school at 7:20 A.M. and meets a few friends outside on the Library patio. A founding member of the Dino Club, Noah successfully built a ten foot model of an allosaurus last year with his fellow club members. The models he and his friends are playing with right now are much smaller, but he enjoys the camaraderie as they compare models to an encyclopedia of dinosaurs they just pulled from the stacks in the library.
Home Room
During homeroom, eleven year old Scott empties his messy binder and begins to organize his homework into folders. Although he’s not a naturally tidy person, the extra organization time in homeroom and the binder system his teacher taught him both allow him to stay on top of the papers from his various classes. Before he heads to his first period class, Sam checks the visual schedule he has taped to the top of his Chromebook.
Reading Class
Like many students with dyslexia, nine year old Robby struggles to decode in his morning Wilson Reading class. During his novel study in Language Arts, though, he shines! He loves the visualizing and verbalizing techniques his teacher has taught him, and his recent essay about Holes is now proudly displayed at home on the refrigerator. Robby uses his 30 minute commute home to listen to books using his Learning Ally subscription, and that has allowed him to fully immerse himself in Language Arts while he does the hard work of developing strong decoding skills in his Reading Class.
Math Class
Eleven year old Geoffrey loves math class. Critical thinking, problem solving, pattern recognition, and number sense are practiced in a visual game called, “Which one does not belong?” This fast paced warm up allows for all students to participate while developing their critical thinking skills. Geoffrey uses his interactive math notebook to accurately take notes, write definitions, create strategies to solve the problems, and sketch diagrams whenever necessary. He knows that multiple answers are accepted as he and his classmates explain their independent thinking. The game, and the notes that come with it, will help Geoffrey with both his study skills and mastery of new math concepts. Middle Division students are taught how to use notebooks and assistive technology to enhance their learning and embrace their specific learning style
Skills Class
Ten year old Maura has been practicing the mindfulness techniques she learned in her Mind & Brain skills class. They’ve been helping her manage her frustration when her little brother takes her toys and also lowering her anxiety around offering answers in class. After learning about neuroplasticity, Maura knows that the brain grows and changes every day, and her practice with the mindfulness techniques is rewiring the way her brain reacts to stress! Lately, Maura has been really proud of herself for handling tough situations with a level head.
STEM Class
Jack is excited about going to Science today. They have been learning about the planets. He knows all about how they revolve around the sun and rotate around their axis. But today, they get to choose a planet to actually be. He ventures outside to meet his classmates. They surround their teacher who is wearing a huge sun poster. Jack selects a poster of Venus and puts it on. When the teacher says go, he runs as fast as he can around her (the sun). At the same time he is spinning clockwise. The other planets (students) are spinning counterclockwise, but Jack has chosen Venus intentionally so that he can spin the other way. The teacher signals to stop; they switch planets and Jack is now even more excited. He will choose Uranus. Why? Uranus spins on its side. Jack lays down and rolls to indicate Uranus’ rotation. He can’t wait to choose his next planet – he can’t decide if he should choose the fastest planet, Mercury, to get some exercise, or the farthest planet, Neptune, so that he can run in a giant circle.
Ready to Unlock Potential At Pilot?
If our Middle Division program sounds like a good fit, then please submit this quick and easy inquiry form! Once we receive your inquiry, we will reach out to you with more information about admissions.
