UST Middle School
Grades 6-8

INTRODUCTION
The world is a big place for a young teenager.
Adolescents need a caring, safe and supportive environment where they can growup and find themselves and their place in the world.
Middle school students need a dynamic, challenging curriculum to prepare themfor high school, university and beyond.
They deserve small class sizes and personalized attention to help them make themost of their education and reach their full potential.
They need support and guidance to navigate the pressures of growing up in ourhigh-paced, high-tech global society.
They need the opportunity to take risks in a variety of learning environments andexplore their growing independence.

Mission and Vision
MissionVisionTo provide a challenging,holistic, values-based
education with an emphasis on
academic excellence, characterbuilding, service to others,
environmental stewardship,collaboration and leadership.

By creating a child-centric,
community-based
environment, UST seeks to
unlock the passions, purpose
and potential of each student
while inspiring a lifelong loveof learning.

Academic Philosophy
Middle School students are questioners, deep thinkers, anddoers. That’s why the cornerstones of UST’s academic
program are inquiry, critical thinking, and authentic projectbased learning. Through a rigorous academic program, ourstudents don't just learn facts and information. They learn
how to ask questions, research, solve problems, and make adifference throughout the international community.
Guided by our mission, our academic program fosters
academic excellence and strong character, while helping ourstudents become engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders.
Our program focuses on mastering core academic concepts
and critical thinking skills, cultivating independence, andpreparing confident learners who are ready for thecompetitive environments of high school, college, andbeyond.
We infuse our program with concepts of empathy, restorative
justice, kindness and inclusivity. With these skills, USTstudents have the confidence to face any situation.

UST students build a love of learning as they progress through ourprogram that focuses on:
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
To help students prepare for the next steps of their education.
CHARACTER EDUCATION & SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
To help raise confident, resilient and compassionate humans.
STUDENT-CENTERED, DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING
To provide personalized learning based on our advantage as a school that isnimble, flexible, inclusive and responsive to student needs.
ENRICHED LEARNING
To offer well-rounded, balanced education through arts, music, drama,athletics, elective subjects and more.
EXPERIENTIAL, REAL-WORLD, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
To inspire students to challenge themselves and find their passions
academically, creatively, physically and socially
COMMUNICATION AND INTERNATIONAL MINDSET
To explore and practice modern world languages (Japanese, Spanish andChinese) and cultures
LEADERSHIP AND CITIZENSHIPTo engage in community service and environmental advocacy

Our Approach
UST is dedicated to fostering a love of learning in every child. We
understand that children learn at different paces, which is why our smallclassrooms tap into students’ individual strengths and encouragechildren to learn both independently and in small groups.
As a small school we are nimble, flexible, inclusive and responsive tostudent needs. Our family-like atmosphere helps build a strongcommunity within our school and a connection to our Tokyocommunity.
Our inquiry-based, customized approach ensures that each childreceives an exceptional education. At all levels, our students are
motivated to take risks, solve problems and develop independence.
We place a strong emphasis on language acquisition and teachJapanese as a core second language and Spanish and Chinese aselectives.
School-wide, we emphasize self-motivation and focus on developing
character, including teaching children both self-respect and to begracious and kind to others through continuous integration of our CoreValues.

Core Values
At UST, we are committed to providing each student the opportunity
to become an independent, secure, and balanced human being. Thisemerges through an emphasis on our Core Values:

Independent andConfident Learners
Citizenship and Leadership

Community and Service

Cooperation and Collaboration

Courage and Commitment

Conscience and Compassion

Creativity and Critical Thinking

CORE CURRICULUM
MATHEMATICSENGLISH

MATHEMATICSSCIENCE

From appreciating the classics to analyzing
modern works, students widen theirperspective by taking part in a lively
community of readers, writers, speakers andcritics.

Students grow as mathematicians, building
knowledge through problem-solving, projects
and applying mathematics to everyday life.

Scientists learn by doing! Throughexperiments, independent inquiries and field
work, students quench their thirst forknowledge about the natural world.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

WORLD LANGUAGES

P.E. & WELLNESS

Learning a second (or third) language helps
students connect with the local and global
communities. Students study Japanese,
Spanish or Chinese.

In Middle School, physical education focuses onteam sports and helps students develop teamwork,
cooperation, sportsmanship, and respect. Wellness
covers a range of coming-of-age topics relating to
the physical and emotional development of youngteens.

MUSICTECHNOLOGY

skills and performance techniques throughband and choir. Compulsory and elective
music classes will help them further develop
their instrumental and composition skills.

In Middle School, students start using personal
computers. Students manage learning throughproductivity tools and use technology to create,
invent and express their ideas. Digital citizenshipand responsible use of technology are also taught.

Through a deep analysis of historical andcontemporary issues, students understandhow societies develop and find their place inthe global community. Social Sciences
include History and Geography.

ART
Creative exploration using various media
allows students to be creative, to uncoverhidden talents and to express themselves.

OBJECTIONSOBJECTIONS
Our young musicians develop a range ofADVISORY

ELECTIVES"POWER HOUR"

FLEX TIME/STUDY HALL

SIGNATURE
PROGRAMSSOCIAL-EMOTIONALLEARNING

DUKE OF EDINBURGH
AWARD

OUTDOOREDUCATION

ANNUAL TRIPS

Advisory

Advisory Components

Faculty-led advisory groups meet regularly to help
students build friendships, set personal goals, practicekindness and empathy, prepare for grade-level trips
and develop relationships within the advisory group.

DAILY 15-MINUTE ADVISORY
Homeroom tasks, announcements, mindfulness meditation

Advisory groups are small to emphasize a family-likestructure. These are safe spaces for students topractice self-advocacy and self-realization, as well as
to have fun!
Advisors are advocates for students and are a vitalcommunication link between parents and the school.
Students learn good decision-making skills anddevelop attitudes and beliefs towards a healthy
lifestyle. With an emphasis on character development
and ethics, they practice being respectful towards self,
the community and the world around them.

TWICE PER WEEK, 45-MINUTE ADVISORY
Meaningful conversations and activities:
Wellness and social-emotional learning
Executive functioning training and study skills
Organizational skills
Planning and scheduling
Note-taking skills
Test-taking strategies
Skills critical for success: cooperation, collaboration, problem-solving,time and project management
High-school counseling and exam preparation
INDIVIDUAL ADVISORY
Teachers meet individually with students to carefully guide their progress
towards achieving academic, social and emotional maturity. Advisors help
select and monitor individual goals and guide their process of selecting ahigh school.

ELECTIVES
Beginning in 6th grade, part of each student's schedule consists of courses they select. Electives are taught byexperts in the field and are as rigorous as any class. They are designed to help our students:
develop passions and achieve mastery
explore new areas of interest
choose their future path for high-school and beyond
Electives are offered in four main areas:
1. Specialty subjects: Art and Music
Art and Music are offered in two 60-min blocks. One block is compulsory and focused onCOMPETENCY. The other block is offered as an Elective and is focused on MASTERY.
2. World Languages:
In addition to Japanese language, beginner Spanish and Chinese will be offered as electives.
Note: to go ahead, each language group would need to have minimum 5-6 students.
3. “Power Hour”
Each term students will have a chance to participate in workshops and projects aimed at real-lifeexperiences led by community experts.
4. ECAsECAs offered in Middle School will focus on athletics, arts and technology.

Power Hour
Power Hour combines innovation, design thinking and thearts to provide our middle school students with outlets fortheir creativity and to help make connections between theirlearning and real-world application. Power Hour's primary
goal is for students to uncover their interests and passions by
exploring topics in different domains, led by communityexperts.
Students choose from several exciting and fun professionally
led classes during the first structured half of each term.
During the second half of the term, students pursue anindividual exploration project on their chosen topic. Students
go through the investigating, planning and creating process,which culminates in a presentation before a judging panel.

Power Hour Areas
CREATIVE ARTS
Performing arts/Visual arts/Design/ Architecture
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Robotics/Programming/ STEMJOURNALISM
School newspaper/Documentary-making/ Podcasting
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Community garden/Renewable energy systems/Pollution management
ENTREPRENEURSHIPHow to start a business/How to manage a businessFLEX TIME / STUDY HALL
Each week students have several blocks of Flex Time, a time when middle schoolers
take charge of their learning.
Students have a choice of what they do during Flextime. They may use this time forstudy hall to complete homework, meet with teachers for individualenrichment/tutoring sessions or work on an independent project guided by theirteacher.
Teachers are there to assist, tutor and guide. As students grow older, teachers
gradually release control to teach students independence.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Social-Emotional Learning teaches students to understand themselves and others, manage their emotions
productively, empathize with others, forge healthy relationships, work toward and achieve goals, makeresponsible decisions, develop resilience, confidence and well-being
Research shows that students who receive quality SEL instruction demonstrate higher academic
achievement, have better mental health outcomes, and are more successful as adults.
We believe that EQ matters as much as IQ. UST’s social-emotional learning program has been fundamental
to our commitment to nurture the whole child since the school’s inception. Our SEL program supports
students' learning and growth through the development of these five competencies:
Self-AwarenessSelf-Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making

Junior Duke of Edinburgh Award

Four Essential Areas & Example Activities

JDofE is a holistic accredited learning program for children
and young people aged 5 – 14 YO. It develops
interpersonal skills - communication, problem-solving, andteamwork - and builds self-confidence and a sense of wellbeing to engage in formal education. An inclusive award
that provides a structure for the start of vocational
learning, it serves as a stepping stone towards the Duke of
Edinburgh Program offered to students from 14 YO andolder.

INTERESTS AND SKILLS: develop practical and social skills andpersonal interests
Learn (or increase your expertise in) a chosen skill outside ofschool
Become part of a theater group; join/start a band etc.

JDofE enables students to enhance their personal andinterpersonal development by learning through experience.
The project challenges students to show initiative,
demonstrate perseverance and develop skills such as
collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making. At thesame time, JDofE is an important counterbalance to theacademic challenges of Middle School.

GET ACTIVE, STAY ACTIVE: improve in the area of sport/fitness
Take on a new athletic activity
Complete a challenge
ME AND MY WORLD: undertake service to individuals or thecommunity
Volunteer at the school or in the local community
Become a mentor (mentor a younger student)
ADVENTURE: participate in an outdoor activities that involves
teamwork and problem-solving
Participate in the outdoor/ wilderness program
Complete wilderness challenges and courses

ANNUAL TRIPSOUTDOOR EDUCATION

We develop students who are curious and courageouschange-makers and global stewards.

Students go on residential trips each term to foster alove of nature, independence, leadership, team spirit,
self-care, problem-solving skills and resilience, as wellas have a chance to have a break from the digital world.

To that end, UST immerses students in new culturalexperiences through dedicated school trips. Thesetransformative trips, extensions of the classroom
curriculum, are the time to fully explore, engage andmake meaningful contributions to the local and globalcommunities.

TRIP EXAMPLES:

Fall - team-building trip to Shimoda
Winter - ski trip

TRIP EXAMPLES:GRADE 6 - Kyoto
GRADE 7 - Rural Japan homestay
GRADE 8 - Cambodia service trip

Spring - camping trip

UST GRADUATE PROFILE
UST faculty and families work in partnership to prepare our students for the future. Our values ofcare for self, care for others, and care for the community are the foundation of our culture.

UST GRADUATES ARE ...

Self aware

Socially aware

World aware

Self-confident
Independent andaccountable learners
Physically and emotionallyhealthy
Passionate aboutdeveloping their interests
Pursuing learning outsideof the classroom
Developing a strong senseof identity and self

Kind, considerate, andcompassionate
Able to belong without
losing their unique identity
Caring friends and active
community members
Leaders and collaborators
Active members of theschool community
Engaged in personal growth

Change-makers
Exploring and finding
their place in the larger
world
Aware of social, global,political andenvironmental issues

UST’S LEARNING PROGRAM PROVIDES A BREADTH OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELPOUR STUDENTS DEVELOP THE FOLLOWING CORE SKILLS AND QUALITIES:CONSCIOUS

COMMUNICATORCRITICAL THINKER

Advocate for change and showcommitment to making a better worldShow respect and compassion to others
Embrace diversity and be open-minded
Advocate for social justice and equality
Contribute to sustainability andenvironmental preservation

Communicate effectively to motivate, makean impact, advocate a cause and inspirechangeListen and learns to make informed choice
Articulate thoughts and ideas
Be receptive and inclusive of others’ ideas

Thrive to explore and understand the world
around them
Reason and makes decisions in an informedand fair manner
Inquire, research, question, evaluate and reflect
Make real-world connections
Become a critical thinker who is self-directed,
self-disciplined, self-monitored and selfcorrective

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVERCONSCIENTIOUS
Act with respect, integrity, honesty andfairness
Show kindness and compassion

Approach tasks with imagination, originality andcuriosity
Adapt to change and explores new ideas/solutions
Think creatively to produces original work andinnovation
Turn ideas into action
Make real-world application for one’s idea

COLLABORATORRESILIENT
Demonstrate confidence, perseverance,
courage and responsibility

Generate ideas with initiative and independence
Value individual contribution and teamwork
Respect diversity and creative differences
Lead with flexibility, adaptability and respect

INDEPENDENT/ RESPONSIBLE
LEARNER
Take charge and responsibility of one’s own
learning
Show ability to define own learning goals,
monitor progress, improve and adjust
learning and reflect on results
Develop independence and responsibility tocomplete work without oversight
Demonstrate organization and ability to
manage time, tasks and resources