Studio 1 – Grades 7 & 8
continuing intellectual, social, and personal growth

In Studio 1 (Middle School), individual attention and close relationships with teachers encourage students to take necessary risks in discovering themselves and their strengths during a time of intellectual, social, and personal growth. Students take part in a strong academic program, with an emphasis on independent and group research projects that provide a foundation for achievement in high school, college, and life.

Studio 1 aims to:

Provide an environment supporting the needs and transitional growth of the adolescent,

Develop strong academic skills, knowledge, critical thinking, and problem solving to each student’s potential,

Encourage initiative, adaptability, and the ability to reflect and grow through change, and

Nurture responsible and active citizens with communication and leadership skills.

Maria Montessori offered directives for the education of Adolescents in three appendices written at the end of her work “From Childhood to Adolescence.”

Through these writings and others, we learn that Montessori had a unique understanding of the needs of Adolescents and that a crucial part of the education of the 12-18 year old comes in the Erdkinder.

Erdkinder fundamentally means “children of the land,” and it is comprised of the work of the hand, heart, and mind as demonstrated through:

  • The Farm ~ in our community, this is found in Maker’s Space
  • Microeconomy ~ offers real life experience and knowledge toward financial independence
  • Service Learning ~ learners have valid experiences as part of the larger community
  • Field Experiences ~ real life experiences to bring validity to their work

Mathematics involves traditional study of Pre-Algebra or Algebra I along with problem-solving and critical thinking.

Language Arts include literature, writing, vocabulary and grammar studies.

Scientific studies explore life, earth, physical and chemical sciences as they relate to development of civilization and the natural world.

Technology is incorporated on a variety of levels with students using their own computers.

Spanish, Financial Literacy, Art and Music are important components of the curriculum.  Students have outdoor play daily with both free play and organized physical education. Leadership is developed by rotation of specific class duties.

Field trips extend the learning experience and include a team building retreat at the start of school, various partial day trips during the year and a multi-day trip at the end of the year.