Middle School
Grades 6 (Age 11-12) to Grades 8 (Age 13-14)
Introduction
The Middle School strives to meet the unique needs of Middle School
students in their transition from elementary to high school. The
essence of our Middle School program is the concept of educating
and fostering the growth of "the whole child" and developing
an increasing sense of personal and academic responsibility. To
this end, learning is exploratory or experiential in nature, whereby
learners are practitioners of their own learning. There are opportunities
for both competitive and non-competitive sports and activities to
promote the social and physical growth of each student. Inherent
in our Middle School program is the goal of instilling a sense of
belonging to the Middle School. Lincoln Middle School enrolls approximately
50 students in sixth through eighth grade.
Highlights
• Small classes of 12-24 students
• Strong core curriculum with many enrichment activities
based on an American Curriculum
• Commitment to meeting the needs of each individual student
• English as a second language (ESL) specialist for students
not yet fluent in English
• Learning Specialist/Resource Teacher providing diagnostic
assessments and instructional strategies for students with special
needs.
• School Guidance Counselor who works with teachers and
students and families
• An environment which models caring and respect
• Library with extensive book and audio-visual collection
plus student access to the Internet
• Music and Art program emphasizing blending artistic expression
within a historical/cultural base
• Computer Lab with integrated instruction in various software
programs and an emphasis on helping students learn for themselves.
• Extensive after school program with drama and sports activities
• Band
• Foreign language instruction with native speakers for
grades 7 & 8
• Integrated PE, Health and Advisory class to promote love
of life long recreation, healthy living choices & social/physical
development
• Strongly supported Middle School Student Council
Special Events
Annual week-long experience to explore the culture and geography
of Nepal
UN Day which honors our international student body and parents
Spring Carnival
Awards Ceremony
Annual MS Play written, produced & directed by students
Annual Middle School Valentines Day Dance
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A Dynamic Educational Experience
A quick glance inside classrooms reveals that students
are participating in a truly dynamic educational experience. Students
spend considerable time discussing questions in groups; collaborating
with peers on projects; debating controversial issues; spearheading
power-point presentations; using drama, music, and technology
to bring learning to life; and engaging in other applied learning
experiences, much of which requires them to interact with the
world around them. This hands-on approach not only enriches the
quality of learning but also makes learning fun, which will encourage
students to continue their own education throughout their lives.
Above all, we strive to instill a love of life-long learning in
all of our young adults, and develop an increasing sense of personal
and academic responsibility.
Lincoln Middle School provides an enriched, rigorous program
combining academics, sports, the arts, clubs and social events.
We provide a strong foundation in the core subjects which are
thematically integrated, a firm background in study skills, and
a wide range of experiences and opportunities for success. Because
we are a small school, students have the opportunity to participate
in all school activities, and many students discover new talents.
At Lincoln, we give focus to effective development and activities
which promote positive self-awareness and acceptable behavior.
Our health and wellness program helps students to understand their
own needs, attitudes and behavior and to learn about decision-making
strategies and conflict resolution.
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Cultural Diversity
The Lincoln student body represents over 30 countries.
We value the positive impact on learning, cross-cultural awareness
and the development of life-long global friendships. Explore Nepal
week and United Nations Day further reinforce these goals. To
understand more about the culture of our host country, students
spend a week with teachers and grade-level cohorts discovering
the wonders of the Himalayan Kingdom. Students trek around the
verdant Kathmandu Valley, conduct field studies, and work with
local artisans. Our young people not only learn to appreciate
the lifestyles of the Nepalese, but through various team-building
activities, explore their own dreams, feelings and fears. On United
Nations Day, the entire Lincoln community comes together to celebrate
our differences and similarities. Parents and students proudly
wear their national dress and cook native cuisines for a magnificent
buffet lunch. Students choose from an assortment of workshops
facilitated by guest speakers who are experts in their fields.
Forty flags posted around campus honor the countries of all of
our families. This annual tradition is indeed the cornerstone
of what Lincoln has come to represent.
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Curriculum and Schedule
The academic program is college preparatory while giving emphasis
to the importance of learning as a process. Our curriculum focuses
not only on the acquisition of knowledge but also on the development
of thinking and problem-solving skills. We strive for academic
excellence, a well-balanced development of all aspects of the
student’s personality and an appreciation for lifelong learning.
Middle School students typically enroll in seven classes each
quarter. Although we offer seven periods, Lincoln's secondary
school has adopted a block
schedule. Each day four classes meet for 90 minutes.
Since there are seven periods, one class meets on consecutive
days. See below for an example of how a typical week is organized.
The school day runs from 8:00 to 3:10 and contains eight periods.
The After-School Activities program runs from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.
Please
click here for Course Descriptions
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The Optimal Match Program
We give priority to learning about our students' unique gifts
and special needs. There is a collaboration among teachers to
discuss and provide appropriate support and enrichment to each
student where needed. Our professional staff respects the uniqueness
and worth of each student and views differences as opportunities,
not disabilities. We are flexible in our teaching methods, curricula,
and approaches to provide optimum challenge and rigor for students.
Lincoln offers on-site diagnostic assessments by a certified
learning specialist and pull-out programs where beneficial for
learning differences and English acquisition. For the child with
learning differences, a partnership between home and school, including
active commitment from the student, is necessary as well as joint
planning and monitoring of the student's program of study. Because
we have a diverse school population, there is decreased pressure
for all students to be exactly the same in achievement, culture
and interests. Students, too, contribute to the development of
their peers as each one strives for success and fulfillment.
We operate in an atmosphere which deals positively with differences
and enables all students to maximize their resources and capitalize
upon their own learning styles. We believe that a school will
benefit form the inclusion of students with special gifts and
talents as well as special needs, from diversity and richness
in teaching modes within the classroom, and from the greater understanding
of teaching and learning which accompanies attention to differences.
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Extra-Curricular Activities
For a small school, Lincoln has rich and varied extra-curricular
programming, allowing students to develop talents and new interests.
At Lincoln, students can experience acceptance and success in
ways not possible in a larger school. Many clubs and courses are
offered after school, including band, Student Council, sports,
choir and drama, chess club, table tennis, etc.
Special Events
Partial and full-day outings or field trips are also organized
occasionally during the school year. These may be academic, sports-related,
or just for fun! Regular school rules are to be followed during
all treks, trips, and outings.
Dances & Other Social Events: These are
organized by the Student Councils or individual classes.
Student Council: The Middle School Student
Council is elected by the student body yearly and is responsible
for the coordination of student class affairs. Any class projects
which affect the general student body must be approved by the
respective Student Council and its faculty advisor.
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Testing
The IOWA Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is a basic standardized assessment
of reading, grammar and mathematics. Students in grades 6-8 take
the test annually in the spring. Results of the testing are provided
for student and parent review. Test scores are reported in percentile
rank, grade equivalent and standing for both US and international
school norms. Lincoln also utilizes the ERB test to assess writing
based on effective traits. These external assessments are shared
with students as a springboard for goal-setting in Language Arts
Writers’ Workshop.
Conclusion
At Lincoln, we believe that the process of learning and the atmosphere
in which education is offered are as important as the end product.
The Lincoln faculty and administration are dedicated to providing
each student with an education which will build an academic and
personal foundation for success in life. We hope that you will
allow us the opportunity to teach your child during these formative
years.
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