“The world of (traditional) education is like an island where people, cut off from the world, are prepared for life by exclusion from it. “
-Maria Montessori

Cushnoc Academy’s Middle School Program
​(grades 7-8)

Hallmarks
Academic Rigor. Apprenticeship. Diversity.

HALLMARK ONE

Academic Rigor

~~Embrace the goal of success.~~
Maria Montessori once said, “Do not permit a child to fail until he or she has a reasonable chance of success.” We expect that students entering our Middle School Program are ready to embrace the goal of success for themselves. In addition to the rigorous Science and Social Studies portions of the program, specific academic and leveled courses will be offered in Math, Language Arts, and Foreign Language, bringing a new degree of challenge and engagement.

Our Middle School students will learn to pace themselves in a new way—meeting the requirements of the specific courses in which they are enrolled. Not only will students continue to be immersed in creative thinking activities, collaboration, and problem-solving, they will also have specialized preparation for high school and beyond. The Middle School will serve as a bridge between our self-directed Elementary Programs and the more traditional environments that await our students.

HALLMARK TWO

Apprenticeship

~~Become an apprentice.~~

Middle School years have long been recognized as ones marked by change. The Middle Schooler begins to, consciously or unconsciously, search for something meaningful. At the same time, the peer group is of greater influence. We honor this unique stage, filled with new horizons, with independent, authentic work in the wider community—another bridge from the in-house classroom to the outside world. Peers will take on an expanded role for their other classmates by acting as a sounding board, support system, and audience for each classmate’s independent project for the year. At the beginning of the year, there will be a sampling period and interest inventory where children are exposed to various community careers and endeavors. Then, each student will immerse himself or herself in a self-chosen interest area (examples—community service, career-shadowing, or authentic research). Each student becomes a true apprentice. See our apprentices in the right hand column.
A Few Examples of Middle School Apprenticeships

Forensic Science
”Forensic science is like a puzzle to me. I love solving mysteries and figuring out how things fit together. I am fascinated with fingerprints, DNA, and analyzing evidence. During my apprenticeship, I will be working with someone who works at the Maine State Crime Lab. I will dissect a fetal pig and work with a facial reconstruction kit. I will set up a fake crime scene with my classmates and solve it. My classmates will act as suspects and witnesses. In the end, I will make a presentation about my project. The apprenticeship is important because it gives us students a head-start as to what we want to do when we grow up. “

Fighting Poverty in Mexico
”The rough draft of this statement was consumed in drawings. I can’t seem to stop making art wherever I am! Which gave me an idea.--maybe my artwork could help those in need. I also wanted to experience something new—a new place. Yes, I want to travel, fight poverty, and do artwork all at once. I chose an impoverished province in Mexico—Oaxaca. In January 2011, My mom and I went there and observed local poverty, which I learned was very complex. We visited local villages and an orphanage, Hijos de la Luna (Children of the Moon). I will raise money by selling my artwork. It will be used to benefit the orphanage and fund scholarships for Mexican children to go to secondary school. I am taking my first step in saving the world.”

HALLMARK THREE

Diversity

• ~Honor the uniqueness of self and others.~~
  In our ever-changing and modern world, global connectedness brings diversity front and center. Even in our daily lives, we are constantly challenged by the various ideas of those who are different from ourselves in culture, belief, lifestyle, social status, and priorities. One of the most important skills our children take with them is the ability to interact with diverse people. How to maintain a sense of self while respecting others will be key to our students’ well-being and success. In the Middle School Program, we continue to embrace the diversity of our student body. We aim to create both a balanced classroom environment, and one that allows for different learning styles, strengths, and challenges, while still maintaining high standards for each person.