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Middle SchoolA Carefully-Designed Approach:While specialized schools often group students with a wide range of ages together into a single classroom, we feel it is important for students to spend their day with peers their own age. For students who often feel like they don't fit in, this is particularly important for building self-esteem, learning social skills, and acquiring the student skills expected of students their age. At the same time, our students must be placed in classes that are working on their current academic skill level, so they can receive the precise instruction they need. How does de Paul balance these important components? We begin by grouping our students by grade-level age, forming teams of students led by a select group of teachers. For example, our "Team 7" is composed of students who are seventh-graders in age, and these students are led by four teachers who are exclusively devoted to these students. As students and teachers learn and socialize together within their team, they form the bonds that are at the foundation of our middle school's calm, respectful culture. Within each team, we then create several classes for each subject area, with each class designed for students at a different academic level. For example, our "Team 7" typically has four Language Arts classes. One class might be focused on above-grade-level work while another might address needs far below grade level. The size of each class is based on the degree of students' academic need. Each child is placed according to his or her profile in each subject, so a student can work above grade level in one subject and receive remediation in another. At de Paul, your child shares his/her class with students who need the same lessons and strategies. This approach to grouping narrows the range of skill levels within one classroom, which benefits both the students, who receive more appropriate instruction, and the teacher, whose instruction is not diluted by trying to instruct on a wide range of levels at once. However, this does not mean that all students in a classroom are identical. Our approach to grouping enables teachers to truly know the unique strengths and weaknesses of each student and tailor instruction accordingly. Small class sizes. Need-based class groupings. Peer-based social groups. Bonds of trust and respect between teacher and student. Students who are truly known and understood by their teachers. These are just part of "The de Paul Difference!" Our courses of study feature: |