Welcome to Middle School
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An Overview of Middle School 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
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Sample Schedule Elective Classes and Clubs Leadership Fine Arts Athletics Why are we a PreK-8th Grade School High School Placement Middle School Resources
Sample Schedule - Six Day Rotation Core classes meet 4 out of the six days for 60 minutes each. CORE CLASSES: ● ● ● ● ●
Math Science Social Studies Language Arts Spanish
SPECIALS CLASSES: ● ● ● ● 4
Music: Band / Chorus (x2) Drama (x1) Art (x1) PE (x2)
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Elective Classes and Clubs Electives take place once in the 6-day rotation, and are a time for students to explore interests outside of our curriculum. Students are encouraged to develop and present their own ideas for Electives, giving them a sense of ownership. Based on interest, Electives groups are often multi-grade level, thus creating stronger connections and community within our Middle School.
Past Elective Options Include: ● ● ● ● ● 6
MathCounts Fiction Writing Ultimate Frisbee Robotics Kindness Rocks
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Jazz Band Model United Nations Drawing Board Games Broadway Make Your Game
Leadership At Charlotte Prep, we are proud of our Tigers and their dedication to our four pillars of leadership: Respect, Courage, Integrity, and Perseverance. Nowhere are these pillars more emphasized than in our Middle School. Our 5th through 8th graders are the leaders of the school. Without a high-school on campus, younger students look to their Middle School buddies to set the tone for exemplary behavior during our BUDEE program, and other more casual interactions on campus. Additionally, 7th and 8th graders participate in a Leadership class. They study ethics and leadership traits of world leaders, identify their own leadership styles, as well as learn basic life skills like shaking hands, introducing themselves to adults, and conducting themselves with poise and grace. These skills help them during the imminent high-school placement process, but more importantly, they imbue each student with the confidence and self-advocacy skills they will need throughout their lives. Our students also have the opportunity for more formal leadership roles by participating in Student Council, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and Model United Nations.
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Fine Arts All Middle School students take Fine Arts classes. At Charlotte Prep, we are committed to nurturing well-rounded, empathetic, creative students. All our students take Art and Drama through the 8th Grade. In addition, upon entering Middle School, students will elect to take a music class, choosing between Band and Chorus. Extracurricular opportunities exist for those students wishing to further their interest in the dramatic or musical arts. From exploring the West African Drumming Ensemble, to trying out for 3rd-8th Grade drama productions, there is plenty to keep our students artistically engaged. With the intimate size of our community, our teachers always try to be as inclusive as possible, crafting out unique on- and off-stage opportunities for those who seek them.
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Athletics Charlotte Prep is one of the few schools in the area to offer athletic teams starting as early as 5th Grade. We encourage our young adults to experiment with different forms of physical exercise, and are committed to giving them the opportunity to learn certain lessons that come across most poignantly through teamwork on the playing field, perseverance, grit, equity, and generosity to name a few! Our student athletes can select to try out for the following sports. Other sports may be added based on student interest. ● ● ● ● 10
Soccer Tennis Basketball Cross Country
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Volleyball Cheer Golf
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Why are we a PreK-8th Grade School Children learn and develop in distinct ways, and they benefit from a school that is designed to meet their unique needs, interests, and potential. Charlotte Prep is this school. Charlotte Prep is intentionally designed to follow the powerful PreK-8th grade model. The beauty of this philosophy is that it preserves childhood while empowering young adults. With nurturing and guidance, the hallmarks of our OnePrep faculty and staff, each child progresses along their unique journey towards maturity, and emerges an accomplished Charlotte Prep tiger, ready to graduate into a bright new future. When your child is ready for high school, they will lead the process with your guidance and our support. Through our emphasis on critical thinking and character development, they will have developed the ability to analyze each school they visit, and use that analysis, as well as their own instincts to determine where they see themselves. It is an empowering process, and one they will undertake again for college and universities in a few years. 12
High School Placement Process Charlotte Prep has a High School Placement team dedicated to knowing your child’s unique profile, and navigating every step of the way with you as you seek to find the best-fit school for your student.
The Middle School early adolescent years are a time of exponential social and emotional growth for children. Their time in our nurturing community allows them to experiment, take safe risks, and redefine who they are and who they want to be. Giving them the opportunity to use this introspection to reinvent themselves with a fresh start in high school is invaluable! As part of the HSP process, our team will: ● ● ● ●
Conduct 7th Grade parent informational meetings. Schedule individual parent meetings with 8th Grade families to learn more about your priorities. Organize high-school fairs exclusively for Charlotte Prep, and coach students on how to interact with the admissions representatives and Heads of Schools from local and boarding programs. Facilitate mock interviews and provide ISEE preparation assistance
Charlotte Prep will complete, review, and hand-deliver (to local independent schools) your child’s packet after you submit the application form. This includes all teacher recommendations and transcripts. Our team will meet each independent school to discuss every child and present their unique strengths. 13
Middle School Resources Read bios for our Middle School Team here. Review the Middle School Curriculum Overview here. Please contact Evan Kurtz, Head of Middle School with any questions.
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