Middle School
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The Athenian Middle School enrolls students from grades 6 through 8. An exhilarating energy permeates the Middle School community. This kind of learning environment has been nationally endorsed as the ideal kind of middle school experience, and Athenian serves as a model for other schools. Athenian is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools.
Athenian provides transportation from many East Bay communities, including Berkeley, Oakland, Pleasanton, Livermore, and points between. Athenian's buses and vans pick up students at several BART stations, further expanding the reach of the transportation program. Athenian's network of buses and vans allows students to take advantage of the unique cultural and educational opportunities in the San Francisco Bay area.
Intimate Class Size
The Middle School's class size averages 13 to 16 students. Small classes enable teachers to design the academic program to meet the unique needs of young adolescents. Writing and language skills are developed across the curriculum. Informal activities and school-sponsored trips enable students to know their teachers better. Teachers know each student's learning style and needs, and students learn effectively because teachers respond to them personally.
Learning by Doing
The academic program challenges students in new ways; inquiry is active; learning is interactive. When students experiment, debate, perform, and create, their enthusiasm becomes contagious. Experiential learning brings reality to academics and reveals the interdisciplinary links between fields of study.
Bringing the Curriculum to Life
At Athenian, cooperative learning groups develop students' emerging social and communicative abilities. Working in groups helps students learn to accept and share responsibility, to respect differences, and to support one another. Democratic values and respect for diversity come alive as students work together. Community service projects empower students to take an active role in shaping a better world. Creativity blossoms when disciplines are interrelated. The acquisition of knowledge becomes authentic and joyous. English, social studies, science, mathematics, art, music, languages, and athletics are each taught as separate subjects. They are also integrated through interdisciplinary projects, building toward culminating events that utilize concepts and skills learned throughout the term.
Focus Days
In the Middle School, weekly Focus Days feature special interdisciplinary events that draw together the strands of the curriculum for enrichment or extension activities that make learning come alive. Flexible scheduling on these days allows for hands-on, day-long explorations both on and off campus, taking full advantage of the educationally enriching resources of the Bay Area. View the Spring 2009 Focus Days schedule.
Young Round Square
The Middle School participates in the Young Round Square organization. For more information click here.
Homework Club
Each school day, students can enjoy Homework Club until 6 pm. A snack is provided.
Preparation for High School and College
Athenian's Middle School students can continue their studies at Athenian's distinguished college preparatory Upper School, which has a diverse student body that includes students from around the world. Virtually 100% of the Upper School students gain admission to 4-year colleges, most to their first-choice school.
