Students > Guidance > Why is a Middle School Special?

Just as the elements of the earth, air, sun, and water nurture the growth of a tree, four elements of a middle school program nurture a child:

• A middle school provides for a gradual transition from elementary school to secondary school.
• A middle school provides, through its program and organization, the opportunity for each student to get to know well at least one teacher each year.
• A middle school provides an environment where the child, not the program, is most important and where the opportunity to succeed exists.
• A middle school is a distinct, flexible, and unique organization tailored to the special needs of preadolescent and early adolescent youths.

The middle school years are crucial ones to the student. The student is establishing an attitude toward learning and should be challenged with new and interesting ideas, concepts and materials. The student should be made to feel that learning is exciting.