INDEPENDENCE & LEADERSHIPThe oldest kids in the building
At a K–8 school, younger students know the eighth graders. They see them at Buddy Days, in the halls, and at school events. That gives our middle schoolers everyday chances to help out, include someone younger, and set an example. It’s one of the things we love about being a school community where students of all ages spend time together.
BUDDY GROUPSOne student from every grade, in the same group
Every TLC student belongs to a buddy group with students from kindergarten through eighth grade. They stay with that group all year, getting to know one another through at least four school-wide Buddy Days. Two elected Buddy Program Coordinators on student council work with teachers to plan what the groups will do together.
Having all nine grades on one campus makes these friendships possible!
goals & reflectionThe student leads the conversation
At the start of the year, each middle school student leads a conference with their parents and teacher to set goals in academics, studentship, and social growth. Every two weeks, students reflect on their progress and share examples of their work. Teachers and parents add feedback to the same document, so everyone can see how the student is growing and what to work on next.
Student councilEight jobs, and each one is real
Student council members plan events, welcome new middle schoolers, and help students connect across grades.
The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer work with faculty advisors to set agendas, keep minutes, and manage event budgets and fundraising proceeds. Community Coordinators in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade welcome students who are new to middle school and plan at least two activities each semester that bring grades together. Buddy Program Coordinators help plan Buddy Days, while the Field Day, Spirit, and Pet Parade Coordinators organize those events.
working through conflict
What CLEAR stands for
C
Calm down before starting the conversation.
L
Listen to the other person’s perspective.
E
Explain your own perspective.
A
Acknowledge your part.
R
Repair what you can and agree on what happens next.
How it gets taught
01
Before it is needed
Practice happens during class at the beginning of the year.
02
At the moment it happens
The real teaching is the conflict itself, worked through with the people in it rather than saved for the next scheduled lesson.
03
The adult does not settle it
A teacher stays in the room and holds the standard, but the students do the repair.
Confidence & cooperationBoth of these require practice
Middle schoolers build confidence by speaking up and taking the lead. Eighth graders write and deliver graduation speeches, student council officers run meetings, and students have regular chances to present to their peers.
They learn to work together by planning events like Buddy Days and Field Day, which means figuring out the details, listening to other people’s ideas, and adjusting when things don’t go as planned.
Our phone-free school day gives students time to connect between classes, at lunch, and outside.
“Don’t judge the successfulness of your time in middle school by popularity, grades, or how you and your classmates look. Judge it by the strength of the relationships you found and cared for along the way.”