By Justin Ryder
Director of Upper School
The Children’s School (TCS) launched the Middle Grades Specialist Elective Program, a brand new initiative from our strategic plan, in August 2024. The program is designed to empower our middle school students in grades 6-8 to take charge of their learning experience and give them more say over the electives they take during the school year.
Student Voice and Choice Take Center Stage
This program is all about giving students a say in what they learn. By offering a variety of specialist elective courses in art, music, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math), and exciting mixed-grade offerings like digital storytelling and modern band, students can delve deeper into subjects that spark their curiosity.
Why is this important? When students have a choice in their learning, they become more invested and engaged. They take greater ownership of their education, leading to a more enriching and meaningful school experience.
Deep Dives and Dynamic Learning
In addition to giving students more choice, the Middle Grades Specialist Elective Program provides deeper learning experiences. Mixed-grade level courses allow students to explore topics in greater depth alongside their Middle Grades peers. This fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and creates a dynamic and engaging environment for everyone.
Igniting a Passion for Learning
By offering a diverse range of specialized courses, TCS ignites a passion for learning in every student. Whether it’s mastering a musical instrument, creating digital stories, or exploring the world of textiles, there’s something for everyone. This program taps into students’ unique interests and helps them develop a love of learning that will carry them throughout their academic journey.
The Process
Over the summer, our Middle Grades students complete the program’s registration process after they receive detailed course descriptions and rank their preferred electives. These preferences are used to create the final course schedule, which the students receive on the first day of each semester. In addition to choosing two electives, all Middle Grades students take Spanish and P.E.
Empowering Students for Success
The Middle Grades Specialist Elective Program inspires students to become active participants in shaping their educational paths. The skills they develop – from critical thinking and collaboration to creativity and problem-solving – will benefit them not only at TCS but also throughout their lives.
