Students often learn in small cooperative groups where they develop social skills and gain by interacting with their peers. Middle school students are active learners and the middle school philosophy organizes students and staff together in a house or a block of classrooms to facilitate common planning of curriculum. Teachers can share information about effective ways of working with individual students and monitor the overall success of each student. Middle level students sample French, German, Spanish and Japanese before selecting one language area for concentrated study in seventh grade. International student exchanges, school trips abroad and an affiliation with sister communities in Japan and Germany, provide students with a personal connection to the world.
Students enter the ninth grade with many of their core literacy skills in place.
They are now ready to develop a graduation plan and focus on their future career, educational plans and areas of interest. Although these students still have much to learn, the emphasis for high school students is on self-directed learning. High school students may earn college credit by enrolling in advanced placement classes in mathematics, science, foreign language, English, history, economics and psychology. Students may choose eight classes during each academic year. Classes are organized in a block schedule each semester, allowing students to concentrate on four courses each semester.