The Mission
To create a community of youth,
dedicated to success and inspired by
a personal life-vision.
To challenge students with
the highest academic expectations
while supporting them in becoming
confident, self-directed learners.
To guide students in developing
a strong moral compass for
responsible and wise decision making.
The Vision
Middle school should be an exciting time for children. Many children are beginning to understand who they are as individuals and the wonderful possibilities of who they can become. Yet, this same time of self-discovery can be fraught with challenges, and for this reason, at South Arbor Academy we have created a learning environment that offers both the best academic opportunities possible in the most nurturing setting available.
South Arbor Middle School is small, 225 students, where a young person grows into becoming an independent learner, who has confidence to lead, while committing to a vision. Students also experience the joys of friendship and the responsibilities of being a member of a community. Middle school students at South Arbor are called to the highest standards of maturity, organization and virtue while being provided the support, example and recognition needed to achieve them.
Get Ready!
The daily life of a middle school student at South Arbor Academy begins when the entire school family of Kindergarten through 8th graders gather each morning. Together they meet the opportunity and challenge of the day with encouragement and student-led instruction on the moral virtue of the month. Students then begin their daily schedule of academic classes based on a no-compromise, high school preparatory curriculum. Middle school students also have 45 minute specials each day, they may select from classes including Leadership, Computers, Art, Band, Spanish, PE and Drama. Classes averaging 25 students per classroom, ensure the individual attention all students need and desire.
All middle school students maintain a daily planner of assignments—no late work is accepted at South Arbor —with most students taking one to two hours to complete their homework assignments. Each teacher knows the strengths and weaknesses of their students and works to bring all children to their fullest potential of achievement. The South Arbor dress code is a relaxed yet clear standard of dress which ensures students remain focused on their lasting accomplishments and relationships, not on passing trends of appearance.
Growing Together
While striving for academic goals, students also need to experience and grow in their relationships with each other. This means learning to solve problems together and to learn what friendship truly means. To this end, South Arbor considers relationships of an exclusive nature inappropriate. For example: cliques, boyfriends/girlfriends, or behavior that weakens relationships between fellow students, e.g. teasing, gossip and divisiveness.
To encourage a greater sense of teamwork, friendship, community and belonging, South Arbor conducts the FISH! Program which promotes service to others, sponsors seasonal student mixers, and encourages team sports including soccer, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading and cross-country. Students also work with students in other grades as tutors, seek membership in the South Arbor Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society and participate in year-end trips including the 6th Grade Science Camp and the 8th Grade Washington, D.C. trip.
|
