St. Andrew's Middle School

St. Andrew’s Middle School

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Forge your

PATH

Our

CORE VALUES COMMUNITY Based on trust, traditions, communication, appreciation, and support

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION Developed by intentional instruction in moral and ethical behavior

HIGH EXPECTATIONS Reflected in both the knowledge base and behavior of the faculty, staff, students, and parents

CARING , CELEBRATION , AND HUMOR Fostered by kindness and collegiality

The Path to . . .

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIE

ES

Our Middle School curriculum is diverse and challenging, full of opportunities for students to learn and grow as Scholars, Artists, Athletes, and Servants. Moreover, students are encouraged to become their very best selves every day. The Middle School combines programming and a strong focus on relationships and community to help students become moral citizens of the world. Small class sizes, a variety of leadership opportunities, and close-knit advisory groups foster a sense of connection and belonging, making students feel comfortable to actively engage in their educational journeys. Our faculty has a wide range of experiences inside and outside of the classroom, bringing a wealth of knowledge and creativity to their teaching.

The Path to . . .

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

T

EPISCOPAL IDENTITY St. Andrew’s is an Episcopal school that seeks to integrate religious and spiritual formation into the life of the school community. Our Episcopal identity calls us to respect the dignity of every human being and to strive for intentional pluralism, justice, peace, and understanding among all people. Through daily chapel, we guide and challenge all who attend our school to build lives of genuine meaning, purpose, and service in the world they will inherit.

Chapel is a safe haven from the fast pace of school life, a place to slow down and be mindful. Within the walls of chapel, students and teachers find a meaningful and inclusive sacred space.

— Ashley Brandon, Lower and Middle School Chaplain

The Path to . . .

SELFDISCOVERY

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Advisory Our advisory program has three main components: academic advising, social-emotional skill development, and community building. Advisory groups meet four times a week, advisories sit together during chapel, and lockers are grouped by advisory.

This structure allows for daily contact between advisors and their advisees in both formal and informal settings. Advisories are grouped by grade level and have an average ratio of nine students to one advisor.

Student Leadership We believe that middle school students should learn to be leaders and serve the school and the surrounding community in the many ways provided by our curriculum, chapel, and many leadership organizations. In order to better foster a community of leaders and organically contribute to the school’s culture, we have formed a built-in cabinet system that allows students to grow as leaders dedicated to any of the following areas:

• ATHLETICS • ARTS • CIA (Culturally Inclusive Allies) • EAC (Environmental Action Committee) • AMBASSADORS (Tour Guides) • ADVISORY • CHAPEL • PEER MENTORS Leaders are able to serve within the areas of school life in which most invested. Students can serve as Cabinet President, Student Council President, or House Captain. In their student leadership, they contribute to the community, culture, and legacy of the middle school.

Specials and Electives St. Andrew’s Middle School provides multiple opportunities to expand students’ learning and interests beyond core academics. In our three required one-semester “specials” courses, students gain understandings and skills essential to their development as capable scholars and citizens. In 6th grade, we offer a study skills and executive function course called SET; in 7th grade, students take Religious Studies, which compares the three Abrahamic religions; and our 8th graders take Project Citizen, where they select an issue, of concern, conduct research and interviews around the issue and propose an actionable solution. When not taking a special, our 7th and 8th graders choose from relevant and high-interest elective offerings such as Coding in Python, Tech Theater, Leadership, STEAM, Speech, and Climate Science.

House System The House System was established in 2014 to bridge the gap between grade levels and to provide students with a sense of belonging. Each house is composed of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, as well as members of the faculty and staff, who get to know one another through team-building activities and friendly competitions. The House System provides authentic opportunities for leadership, allows students of different age levels to interact, and helps to foster the teacher-student relationship outside of the classroom, giving each Middle School student a dynamic support network and plenty of advocates in their corner.

The faculty is collegial and professional, the students are excited to learn, and everyone works together in partnership to create a supportive, nurturing, and lively school environment.

— Mark Richards, Middle School Director of Curriculum and Instruction

The Path to . . .

NEW EXPERIENCES

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Oftentimes, the best learning happens outside the classroom.

Time spent as a class together away from campus can help to build true community, so we’re intentional about creating experiential learning for our Middle School students each year.

Mo Ranch The sixth grade attends a three-day retreat at Mo Ranch focusing on team-building, social-emotional skill development, and environmental studies, providing a valuable bonding opportunity as the class starts their Middle School journey.

Outreach Central Texas Seventh grade students attend a four-day service trip in the local Austin community. During the day, students serve at local organizations and at night, they reflect and bond as a grade at Camp Buckner in Burnet, Texas.

Big Bend The eighth grade travels to Big Bend National Park for five days of camping, hiking, and learning about the geography and geology of the area.

MIDDLE SCHOOL Fast Facts Average class size is

14

students

60 18

Advisory program has a

9:1

teams across

student to advisor ratio

12–16 clubs offered per semester

Fine Arts courses

sports

26%

of families identify as racially diverse

Students serve an average of

8

20

82%

of faculty have advanced degrees

hours of community service per year

HOW TO APPLY Thank you for your interest in St. Andrew’s. Applications are accepted online at sasaustin.org. Priority is given to applications received on or before January 25. To make an appointment or to inquire about our program, please contact: Steven Garcia Director of Middle School Admissions sgarcia@sasaustin.org (512) 299-9707

Financial Aid St. Andrew’s is dedicated to the principle that qualified students should be able to attend regardless of their ability to pay. To that end, we offer need-based financial aid. Our Financial Aid program supports over 150 students in grades K–12 with over $2.7 million in aid.

For additional information about the Financial Aid Program, please visit our website or contact Priscilla Lund, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid by email at plund@sasaustin.org or by phone at (512) 299-9802.

Statement of Non-Discrimination St. Andrew’s Episcopal School admits qualified students regardless of race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, physical disability, socioeconomic status, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, physical disability, socioeconomic status, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation in the administration of any policies or programs generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

1112 WEST 31ST STREET AUSTIN, TX 78705

Find us online at sasaustin.org /SASAUSTIN.ORG

@SASAUSTIN

@SASAUSTIN