What's Special About Our Middle School?

Each fall our Middle School students plan and take part in an overnight camp out away from Countryside. In preparation for this event, the middle school students meet twice a week during Advisory time to learn orienteering (compass skills), to build campfire, to set up a tent, use a cook stove, and they create skits to perform at the campfire.

The camp out allows middle schoolers to engage with the nature around them, become more comfortable being independent, and practice putting the needs of the group ahead of their own preferences. The camp outs are often mentioned as the most cherished memories by our graduates.

Each fall and spring, our 8th graders plan and host a middle school dance. They select the theme, decorate the space, choose the refreshments, decide on the music, and act as the hosts.

Prior to the fall dance each year, we have a ballroom dance instructor come in to give a dance lesson. This lesson helps take the fear out of a slow dance. Student learn to carry on a conversation with their dance partner and how to be courteous. These dances are always a highlight of the semester.

Every three years our middle school students embark on an international trip chaperoned by our faculty. Our first trip was to Puerto Rico where the students learned about the Spanish-influenced history of Puerto Rico, hiked in the rain forest, visited the studio of an artist, learned to cook local foods, and enjoyed snorkeling.

The next trip was to the UK to explore the rich historical and cultural aspects of England. Highlights included visiting Shakespeare’s Globe (reconstruction of the Globe Theatre), touring castles, cathedrals, and palaces, and seeing "Aladdin" in the West End.

On the most-recent trip, our students and families enjoyed the history, food, and culture of Germany. They visited several castles including Wartburg and Neuschwanstein, a border-crossing museum, the quaint medieval walled city of Rothenburg, the BMW museum in Munich, and the beautiful rococo-style church, Wieskirche.

This additional enrichment experience is not included in tuition; however, some parents choose to also accompany the students thus making the trip a memorable experience with their child.

Every three years, our middle schoolers spend several weeks building any hands-on, creative project they have always wanted to do – woodcarving, making pointe shoes, building architectural models, sewing, learning to paint in the style of Bob Ross, knitting, building a submarine for a mouse, and constructing a working K-9 unit from "Doctor Who" – to name just a few past projects. 

Students are provided with in-school time three times a week for a few weeks to work on their projects.  Students present their projects in a science-fair style exhibition.

Our students embark on Expedition every three years. This exciting event utilizing real-world skills is planned entirely by the students. Groups of middle schoolers carefully plan a day in the community to learn by touring a local organization, enjoying a sit-down meal while splitting the bill, and using public transportation.

Every three years, our middle school takes a break from classes in February for an in-depth learning experience. The students choose between four week-long classes. Most recently, students built a model railroad and scenery; wrote and filmed movies; learn how to be an activist and be civically engaged; and learned the science behind food – complete with tasting unusual foods and field trip to see how puffed products (think Cheetos) are made.

This is an all-middle school game of Capture the Flag but with small, harmless pouches with flour in them. Pop them on opponents to remove them from play. Students construct their own hand-held shield and the game commences in our backyard.