Why is Breakwater launching a Middle School?
Breakwater parents have wanted a middle program for years. Surveys dating back to 1992 have consistently indicated strong parent interest in extending the Breakwater program to include Middle School. While the reasons are varied, the most common is a desire for their young adolescents to continue learning in a safe and nurturing environment, while challenging them to grow intellectually and independently. Breakwater’s mission states that "early school experiences create the foundation for future learning." By extending the program through 8th grade, we are able to fully realize this mission. Eighth graders will leave Breakwater with a solid sense of their core identity, and with the independence and courage to be themselves. The Breakwater foundation will be solidly laid.

What facilities will the program use?
During the summer of 2008, Breakwater will renovate space in the Jessie Building to accommodate this program on campus. In addition, we will continue make use of the Jessie Bullens-Crewe Nature Preserve in Cumberland and other off-campus locations as appropriate. Students will continue to spend between 30% and 40% of their time each week off campus doing field work. During their time on campus they will be full participants in major Breakwater events and multi-age activities.

How well do Elementary and Middle students interact?
There are powerful cultural stereotypes about young adolescents, including a belief that middle school students are primarily “hormonal beings” who have little to contribute positively. In reality, middle students have much to offer as leaders and role models. Recent studies of K-8 schools suggest that they are better places for learning than schools which separate elementary and middle school age children.

Why should I choose Breakwater’s middle program?
For the very same reasons parents have always chosen Breakwater: an exemplary faculty, a challenging and engaging academic program, a safe and nurturing environment, and a positive community. Breakwater's developmental approach will foster greater learning and success for students. Additionally, rather than having themes “added on” to a traditional middle school offering, the Breakwater middle program is based entirely on exploring curriculum themes in depth.

What is an "integrated approach" to learning?
An integrated approach explores the same theme, question, or topic simultaneously in all academic subjects. The theme’s central concepts and a variety of skills are developed as students read, write, conduct experiments, collect, analyze, and report on data - all in pursuit of answers to essential questions related to the theme under study. Skills and concepts are each presented and practiced in several different ways, providing students of all learning styles multiple opportunities to develop their understanding.

Will my child be prepared to face the demands of high school after 8th grade?
Our curriculum is designed to meet state and national standards and guidelines. We also monitor the texts and programs used at the local public and independent high schools, and adapt our programs to ensure smooth transitions to those schools for all of our students. We pay attention to helping students understand what skills, habits of mind, and concepts are being developed during each year of their middle school experience, as well as during each in-depth study or expedition. Students learn to monitor, reflect upon, and assess their own progress and talk regularly with teachers and parents about their individual learning goals, needs and triumphs, and progress relative to state and national standards.

Will my child be ready for high school algebra?
Yes. Our math program will continue to use the Connected Math curriculum (which is also used by Waynflete, NYA, and other local middle schools) as a basis for our math program. Our math curriculum meets state and national standards, and has Breakwater students in the same place in the same math series as students in other schools. In addition to this, our integrated curriculum approach constantly requires students to apply math skills in real-life situations.

The program expects to have 12-16 students in 2008-2009; don’t middle school students need a bigger social arena?
Some students may want a larger social peer group. Quality, not quantity, of social relationships fosters growth for young people. The establishment of a healthy student culture is a central component of our curriculum. Young adolescence is a time for students to make mistakes and try various identities in a safe and supportive environment.

We are also investigating ways to build relationships with other small middle schools and home-school co-ops for the purposes of social, academic, and athletic interactions.

Is this a program for “alternative” students who cannot flourish in the mainstream?
The Breakwater Middle School program is based on current research and best practices for middle school education. For some who do not flourish under fluorescent lights all day doing seat-work with paper and pencil, this program may be a welcome alternative. For some who are hungry for learning and can work independently as well as cooperatively, this program supports their needs. For those who want a middle school experience that is challenging both academically and personally, and who are eager to engage, this program is a good match. This program is not necessarily appropriate for students who need remedial support, or who need extensive support in order to behave appropriately.

Is this program an experiment?
No. These methods and pedagogy are based in sound research and education theory. The program design fits squarely within the National Association of Middle Schools standards and the National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) recommendations for middle school, and is consistent in every way with what they advocate as exemplary practice for young adolescent learners.

What qualities does Breakwater seek in its Middle School staff?
The core team consists of veteran teachers with middle level experience and training in integrative learning. Middle School students also benefit from our exemplary teaching faculty in art, performing arts and music, foreign language, and science.

What about sports?
Physical activity is a vital component of young adolescent development. Life-long activities such as hiking, skiing, snow-shoeing, canoeing, swimming, tennis, and other sports will be the core of our physical education program. We cannot be competitive with larger schools in traditional team sports, however the possibility of co-ed team sport competitions is being explored with other small middle programs in the area. Also, many local communities offer excellent league athletic programs which can complement Breakwater’s offerings.

What about technology?
Technology opens up many new instructional and learning opportunities. It can help students develop high-order thinking skills and provide the most current information available. It also allows teachers and students to interact in innovative and interesting ways with real-world resources and for students to develop personal responsibility and independence.

If students work together in mixed grade groupings, will they do the same thing over and over from 6th to 8th grade?
No. The integrated themes will largely arise from student interests and questions, and thus will vary from year to year. Activities and learning experiences are also differentiated according to a student’s abilities and needs.

How will 8th graders be challenged differently than 6th graders?
One of the benefits of cooperative learning is that students can and do learn best from each other. Eighth graders will have extra challenges such as assuming leadership on a school committee, being part of an advisory council, etc. We are also planning special rites of passage for every grade, but 8th grade in particular. They may include traveling to a foreign country, an adventurous outdoor experience, and producing a significant creative and intellectual project.