Middle School Curriculum Night

Just as the Lower and Upper School have required coursework to foster a well-rounded and rigorous academic experience, the Middle School’s requirements are as follows:

• Two full years of core subjects: Math, English, Science, Social Studies
• Two semesters of Innovation Institute courses:
  • Engineer Design & Modeling or Intro to Entrepreneurship
  • Websites & The Internet CS 1 or Automation and Robotics
• One full year of an MS World Language: French, Chinese, Spanish, Latin 1 (8th Grade)
• One semester of Life Management Skills (LMS) – course can be taken during the summer.

Our goal is to remain objective, using the data outlined below, to place students appropriately. Understanding there are variables that go into each student placement, we also offer an appeals process for our leveled courses throughout the summer months. The subject-specific appeal tests are created by our Middle School departments and focus on the foundational mastery of what students need to be appropriately challenged in an honors-level course.

We use the following data to place students:

• Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE): Appropriate for students new to LHP
• Assessment Averages: Uses the average of all tests, quizzes, project/labs in the previous year’s coursework. We find that looking specifically at assessment averages gives us the best sense of overall mastery for that subject.
• Teacher recommendation: This is where we can identify the intangibles a student possesses. With our teacher’s intimate knowledge of the progression in each subject area, they can provide important insight on a student’s work ethic, organizational skills, and ability to self-advocate.
• ERB’s Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP): Norm Referenced data for all 6th and 7th grade students that spans the following categories:
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing Mechanics
  • Writing Concepts & Skills
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Math
• Appeal Test: An additional data point for families who wish to contest the initial placement. Appeal tests are available for Math and English placements and focus on the important skills and content mastery needed to be successful in an accelerated or honors placement.

All Middle School students are assigned an advisor for the duration of each school year. Every Wednesday, students will attend an advisory class to focus on character and community building and finish the day with an academic directed study period. The goal is to make sure every child has an adult advocate and mentor during these important formative years. The Advisory curriculum focus ranges from team building activities, lessons on appropriate usages of social media and technology, community service, and grade level competitions. Our directed study period will focus on grade checks for each student, making up missing work, and coaching students on ways to remain proactive and consistent in their academic approach.

Within Edison Support, there are four (4) levels of support available for qualified Edison students. All students with a documented diagnosis and/or learning difference automatically qualify for Level D services. Additional levels of support are available at an additional cost through Levels A, B and C.

To discuss elective options or share information specific to your child, you can reach out to your child’s school counselor. Guidance roles are in alphabetical order by last name:

• Last name beginning with A-L: Mrs. Sheena West
• Last name beginning with M-Z: Mrs. Janiece Valentine