Middle School

Our middle school students are given the tools to become leaders within our school community and are provided additional opportunities to explore their personal interests through a variety of clubs and extracurriculars. Our Middle School is a place where students can be their unique selves while experiencing new challenges and developing crucial executive functioning skills. Teachers enforce the organizational strategies necessary for academic success, while students embrace longer class periods to dive deeper into subjects and apply information in both labs and discussions. A dedicated self-regulation program, which honors our commitment to meet the educational needs of all learners, instills stress management, and resilience.

As part of the Missionary Discipleship/Service program at ASB School, students use Catholic Social Teaching as a guide to focus on the needs of those who live on the margins of society. As part of the school day, students participate in school-organized service projects to specific organizations and agencies that provide care for those in need within and around our school community. Additionally, all middle school students are required to complete service hours while putting Catholic Social Teaching into action.

Overview of Middle School Mathematics

ASB School uses the Common Core State Standards in all mathematics classes. All teachers use a varied approach to instruction and assessment to ensure that all students are challenged at an appropriate level and learning key concepts appropriate to their age and development. In addition to student outcomes, the School-wide Learning Expectations (SLEs) are integrated into the mathematics curriculum in the following ways:

Students will communicate effectively by solving problems using words, numbers, and pictures. This will be done individually and in groups with an emphasis on articulating the thought processes involved in reaching an answer.
Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills by investigating and analyzing possible strategies to solve problems. They will draw conclusions, verify results and check for reasonableness of solutions.
Students will demonstrate that they are lifelong learners by showing curiosity and enthusiasm for applying mathematical concepts in daily life, and to other academic areas.
Students strive for excellence by assessing their own areas of strength and for growth in the area of mathematics. They set personal standards of quality for their own performance.
Students live as people of integrity within their community by working through problems in large and small groups and by showing a willingness to help classmates who struggle.

The following are the norms we have established in all middle school math classes:

- Everyone can learn math to the highest levels
- Mistakes are valuable
- Questions are really important
- Math is about creativity and making sense
- Math class is about learning not performing
- Math is about connections and communicating
- Depth is more important than speed

Grading Policies: Tests, quizzes and checkpoint assessments are used to determine student’s overall grade for mathematics. Completion of daily assignments provides practice and quick feedback on their progress toward understanding standards.