Covering grades 6, 7 and 8, the Middle School offers students a creative environment that encourages independence, activity and responsibility. Beyond academics, a wide variety of clubs, from Spanish Club to Green Club, offer students the opportunity to interact with their peers in a safe environment, while student council appeals to many budding leaders.

 

The aim of the Middle School is to ensure that students receive an individualized and well-rounded education through academic and social-emotional development. A standards-based curriculum is designed to support the variety of ways in which individuals learn. Our curriculum framework allows for conceptual and inquiry-based teaching and learning where teachers use current strategies and assessment practices to enhance the learning experience. We defer to project-based learning that enhances the cooperative nature of teaching and learning, differentiated instruction and grading and interdisciplinary units and inquiry that explore MYP global contexts to understand human commonalities and ways to become contributing and purposeful citizens of the world. Additionally, we emphasize that all areas of teaching and learning must have a purpose, therefore, students must be able to express their learning in different ways and create ways to impact their community. Finally, our curriculum represents the continuity of building internationally-minded students who explore human commonalities and not only differences.

 

All classes are taught in English except Mexican Humanities and Spanish Literature/Language.

 

Students in the Middle School learn the fundamentals in core courses like math, science and language, following the IB Middle Years Programme. Students also begin to explore personal interests through elective classes like art, chorus, drama and band.

 

Outdoor learning experiences provide ASF students with the chance to develop character, learn valuable life skills, make new friends, learn curriculum in a different way and discover new interests. In Middle School, ASF students have the opportunity to leave their textbooks behind to learn through outdoor activities that are highly educational and fun. These trips expose students to the amazing cultural variety of the sites we visit, while creating a live classroom in which to learn and explore. Whether it be canopy tours in the dense forests, a newfound understanding of the people and culture of an area or a trip to Washington D.C. for Capital Cities Week in grade 8, these opportunities invite students to learn first-hand.

 

 

 

The Middle School building is a modern, open and versatile space with 47 homeroom classrooms, offices and a Learning Center. A greenhouse provides an additional learning space. We enjoy a large indoor atrium, and the ‘agora’ stage provides a unique space for all types of meetings and performances.

 

Middle School counselors support the middle school students by working directly with them, their parents, teachers and school administrators. Our counselors provide service through a guidance curriculum that includes topics such as coping strategies, sex education, peer relationships, substance abuse education and interest inventories. Counselors manage responsive services as well, such as individual or small group counseling, crisis intervention and referrals.

 

 

ASF not only cares about students' academic advancement. The arts, athletics and other activities play a key role. Sometimes there could be up to ten to twenty activities going on (or off) at campus at any given time. ASF is fortunate to have an Activity Specialist in each of the 4 divisions. The activity specialist is responsible for building a comprehensive program that focuses on student leadership and community building among students, faculty and parents. Each Division plans and oversees a broad range of activities and events that enhance the school’s overall social, cultural, service learning, recreational and educational efforts, particularly within the division. The activity specialist is responsible for overseeing all student activity organizations and social events and appoints and supports faculty sponsors and club sponsors.

 

Jeff Whittard
Head of Middle School
ms_headofschool@asf.edu.mx