Middle School Embarks on New Model for the 2012/13 School Year

North Cobb Christian School is implementing a new 5th-8th grade middle school model for the 2012-2013 school year. With this new model, 5th – 8th graders will be included in Middle School, with 5th and 6th grade partnered together, and 7th and 8th grade partnered together.

Megan Strange, Upper and Middle School principal, explains, "This model allows us to better meet the needs of the students in each category and to provide a more developmentally appropriate, nurturing environment and level of academic rigor."

Under the new model, 5th and 6th graders will change classes five times, with two double periods a day. 7th and 8th graders will continue the same schedule as in the past with 8 periods per day, given that it allows them age-appropriate opportunities for organization and efficiency.

In the aspect of student life, athletics and arts, 7th and 8th graders will be given different options than 5th and 6th graders.  In some cases, 6th graders will have options that are not available to 5th graders. Also, the two younger grades will have separate chapels from the two older grades. Most fine arts programs, which will be fully graded in the middle school to include drama, visual arts, chorus, band, orchestra, and dance, will be divided the same way. Athletics will offer many sports divided into 5th / 6th grade and 7th / 8th grade, while some sports will be offered to 6th-8th grade. Additionally, the Soaring Eagles intramural program option will be available in some sports for 5th grade.

Academically, the 5th and 6th grade program will focus on instilling study skills, organization, and other academic strategies to equip them for success in 7th and 8th grade, as well as upper school, college and beyond. The 5th and 6th grade will also have more P.E., Fine Arts, Foreign Language and Technology classes than previously offered.

Another change in the middle school model this year will be that 7th and 8th graders will be purchasing their own textbooks, as upper school currently does. This change allows for the newest curriculum to be utilized each year and has been very successful in upper school.

Additionally, the four grades will each have a Lead Class Sponsor, who will meet with the teachers periodically to monitor homework load and student social issues, and to plan team-building activities.

"We believe that this new Middle School model puts NCCS in the best possible position to address the spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional needs of 5th-8th grade students in our community," says Mrs. Strange.