Advisory System

Cluster and Advisory System

Every Middle School student has a “Cluster Advisor” – a Middle School teacher who acts as that child’s mentor, advisor and confidante throughout the year. While fifth graders are assigned to a cluster advisor, sixth through eighth graders are involved in selecting the teacher with whom they would like to be paired.

The Cluster Advisor is the liaison between the child, the child’s parents, and the school. Each student meets with his/her cluster advisor privately, once each week. Parents have individual conferences with the advisor at least twice a year and more often if requested by either the school or parents.

Each student is part of a “cluster,” which is made up of the mix of students – fifth through eighth graders – assigned to a particular cluster advisor. The mixed-age groups contribute to the sense of community in the Middle School, and serve to ease the transition from home to school, and back again. The school day begins and ends with cluster. In the morning, it is a time for announcements. In the afternoon, cluster is a “check-in” time, and advisors help students organize materials needed for homework. Cluster is also a time for announcements, taking attendance, and socializing.

Classroom Structure

Middle School classes are small and discussion-based, with 12-16 students per teacher. This allows teachers to engage students in a dynamic learning process of interdisciplinary, project-oriented curricula that encourages students to be inquisitive, critical thinkers. The open classroom creates a learning environment that promotes excitement and intellectual stimulation while reinforcing students’ abilities to remain attentive and focused.

Subject areas in Middle School are more departmentalized as compared to Lower School. However, the day is still structured to ease the students toward the organization and individual responsibility that they will need in the later Middle School and Upper School years.