THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ADVANTAGE (Grade 7 & 8)
"The Middle School provides an innovative and supportive environment for students to discover themselves and the world around them. Students can deepen their love of learning and uncover new passions through academic classes, clubs and cocurricular programming, as well as local and global experiential educational opportunities.."
Janay Eccles - Director, Middle School
Homeform
- Small class sizes (16:1)
- Courses taught by subject specialists
- Extensive Guidance support programme
- Students take half of their courses each day with their Home Form class, building a sense of spirit and camaraderie among classmates
- A Home Form Faculty Advisor and two Senior One (Grade 11) Leaders are assigned to facilitate communication and provide support
Academics
- Middle Two (Grade 8) includes four international languages (German, Mandarin, Arabic and Spanish) in addition to the required French programme
- Middle Two (Grade 8) Accelerated Mathematics and French programmes
- Specialized science labs
- Middle School students partake in Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Design Technology and Dance
- Organized testing blocks
- Middle Two (Grade 8) Presentations of Learning
- Middle One (Grade 7) Wellbeing includes curriculum from Positive Education, Technological Capabilities, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Experiential trips to Quebec City in Middle One (Grade 7) and Ottawa in Middle Two (Grade 8)
- Click here to view the course calendar
- Click here to view timetable
Leadership and Mentoring
- Students are introduced to leadership through formal lessons and a variety of experiential education opportunities
- Students participate in weekly leadership lessons facilitated by Senior One Homeform leaders
- Students also have an opportunity to develop their leadership skills in a variety of clubs including Middle School Council, Model United Nations, Middle School Service Council and Young Round Square
- Students can attend the CAIS Middle School Leadership Conference, the annual Middle School Round Square Conference and international global education trips
Middle School Presentations of Learning (POLS)
National Exchange
- Middle School students can apply to participate in an exchange for approximately one to two weeks with students from other Canadian schools
- Previous students have gone to Rothesay-Netherwood School in New Brunswick, Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School in Alberta, Glenlyon-Norfolk in British Columbia and Athenian School in California (San Francisco Bay Area)
- Exchange destinations are typically Young Round Square member schools
- Aids in developing a sense of independence, greater self-awareness, adaptability andincreasing prespectives
Young Round Square
- Appleby was the first Canadian school to join Round Square
- Students have the opportunity to attend domestic and international conferences/exchanges
- Based on the theories of experiential educational philosopher Kurt Hahn
- Encourages personal development and responsibility in students
Outdoor Education
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Introduces and immerses students into a total experiential learning environment in the Canadian wilderness and on Appleby’s Campus
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In the fall, Middle One (Grade 7) students experience an outdoor education trip to Camp Kandalore
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In the spring, Middle Two (Grade 8) students participate in an outdoor education trip to Camp Kandalore
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Vital life skills are developed such as self-confidence, understanding relationships, personal growth, and a developing responsibility toward our environment, local and global communities
Service Learning
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Educates students about the value of service in our society through experiential learning
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Participation enhances student skills, confidence, communication abilities and commitment
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15 service learning co-curricular placements
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Middle One (Grade 7) students earn 10 hours per year; Middle Two (Grade 8) students earn 12 hours per year
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All Upper One (Grade 9) through Senior Two (Grade 12) students are expected to earn 25 service hours per year
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The Co-Curricular Passport provides flexibility to allow students to engage in community service and advocacy
Athletics, Arts, Service & Clubs Programmes
- Available sports include Soccer, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Hockey, Cross-Country, Swimming, Squash, Rugby, Tennis, Softball, and Track & Field
- Middle School Colours awarded for outstanding performance, commitment and leadership
- Middle School Play and All-School Play
- Variety of co-curriculars and clubs offered
- Co-curriculars and clubs are manditory and integrated into the students' regular class time
- Click here to view the course calendar
High Resolves Global Citizens & Leaders
- Interactive workshops for students exploring global citizenship
- Students gain fresh perspectives on active and engaged leadership
- Students develop an understanding of differences
- Soft skill development such as the ability to work effectively with others
- Inspires and equips students to become active leaders in the Appleby community and beyond
- Students become more well-rounded individuals
Technology
- Computers are introduced to help students organize and streamline their workflow
- Computer competency is taught throughout the school as a learning tool
- Students have access to and regularly use the entire Microsoft Office Suite
- Device familiarity helps students keep pace with the technological world around them
