Middle School

Middle school students participate in a comprehensive English Language Arts program aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards and designed to build strong skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Across grades, students engage with a wide range of literary and informational texts that reflect real‑world themes, foster cultural awareness, and strengthen critical thinking. Instruction emphasizes close reading, vocabulary development, grammar in context, and evidence-based writing in narrative, argumentative, and informative modes. Classrooms integrate collaborative discussions, presentations, book clubs, and independent reading to promote communication skills and a love of literature. Courses are structured to provide explicit instruction, guided practice, and differentiated supports so all learners can grow as readers and writers, with advanced pathways available for students ready for increased rigor through challenging texts, higher-level discourse, and extended writing tasks.

Targeted intervention courses are available in both 7th and 8th grade to support students who are developing foundational literacy skills. These classes provide research-based instruction in reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing, delivered through a blend of whole-group lessons, small-group instruction, and independent practice. Students engage with high‑interest texts, adaptive software tailored to their reading level, and structured routines designed to build confidence and accelerate growth. Through consistent progress monitoring and personalized support, students can make significant gains—often up to two years of reading growth—preparing them to meet grade-level expectations and succeed across all academic areas.