Academics

The focus of the academic program for Middle School students is to finish up the Heron Basics Program in reading, writing and mathematics and then move on to the next level of skill in these areas; study skills should be finely honed; practical application can lead to apprenticeships both off and on campus; the broad curriculum of science, foreign language, history, life skills, art and music, and geography is further rounded.

Basics

The Middle School student finishes the Heron Basics Program and then moves up to the next level in each of those basic areas. In reading, literature seminars have the student reading some of the classics, including works by Dickens, Twain, Shakespeare and Homer. In writing, students are integrating their reading material with analytical skills in writing research papers, reports and essays. By the end of Form 6, students will have taken the equivalent of a year of algebra and have addressed the next level of basic geometry. Instant response calculation skills are maintained at a high level.

Curriculum

Besides literature, writing and mathematics, Middle School students will continue to study a foreign language, will take a variety of courses in chemistry and physics, and will become thoroughly familiar with U.S. geography. In history and government, emphasis will be on comprehending people, places and events in a greater global framework as well as focusing on American history. Middle School students participate in current events seminars which train them in both research and presentation skills. In Life Skills, students will take courses in nutrition, manners, ethics, logic and economics.

Study Skills

By the Middle School, students have mastered their study skills and are mainly working independently with minimal intervention from the teacher. They have become expert at being an effective student and overcoming study barriers.