Tell Me About…
the Middle School at Blake
We recognize that Middle School is a time of transition, and our Middle School teachers work diligently to smooth the way, both academically and interpersonally, as students invent and re-invent themselves.
Building The Foundation For Success
The Middle School grade-level teams are the core of Blake’s program. Grade-level teachers meet twice a week to discuss the academic and social progress of individual students and to develop class activities that build a sense of community. With only 10 to 12 students per advisory group our teachers are sensitive to the academic and social progress of each student. Advisors also work effectively with parents, helping build a firm foundation for the challenges of Upper School and beyond.
Blake’s Middle School curriculum emphasizes investigation and independent thinking while providing a solid knowledge base in the academic disciplines. Standards are high, ensuring that each student is challenged in appropriate ways. Formal science labs, experiential units in social studies and foreign language, book talks in English and extensive problem solving in math help to bring meaning to each subject. Disciplines are interwoven when appropriate, to help students see the connection of all knowledge. Each Middle School student gives a formal speech to the entire Middle School community during the eighth grade year. Here, the student’s learning skills, ability to form opinions, willingness to take risks and awareness of self are evident.
Technology With Purpose
Technology is incorporated into our curriculum, where it enhances creativity, presentation skills and problem solving abilities. Students learn to see technology as a valuable tool for learning and not as an end unto itself.
Making Time For Arts And Athletics
Arts and physical education are also key to our Middle School program. Students may participate in band, the strings program or a choir. In addition, they enjoy drawing, painting and ceramics and are introduced to art history and woodworking. Students write, direct and produce their own skits in theater. An Integrated Arts 8 class is offered to eighth grade students who want to explore the integration of three arts disciplines: visual art, music and theater. This full-year class is team taught by the Middle School art, wood studio, choral and theater teachers and culminates in an independent project communicating who they are as artists and individuals.
All Middle School students participate in physical education as part of our standard curriculum. Seventh and eighth graders are eligible for our after-school Middle School sports program and can play at the high school level if qualified. Always, the focus is on leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork as well as on basic and competitive skills.
Encouraging Involvement, Fostering New Interests
Co-curricular activities such as the Middle School news broadcast (the Blake News Network, or BNN), the yearbook, math team, knowledge bowl, book club, jazz lab and the Middle School plays provide even more opportunities for Middle School students to hone their interests and become involved.
Blake Middle School At A Glance
- Middle School includes grades six through eight. Grades average about 112 students.
- With an average of 15 students per class, the faculty have ample opportunity to get to know each student well and to work closely with them on a daily basis.
- Middle School students attend the Blake campus in Hopkins. This campus is also home to our athletic fields, tennis courts, pool and ice arena.
Consider this:
The Blake Middle School experience is all about high expectations combined with genuine care and support. Our student-teacher ratio and superb faculty ensure grades six, seven and eight are enriching and exciting for our diverse and ever-changing Middle School students.
From the Middle School Director, reprints from the Bearometer