Academics
The focus of the academic program for Middle School students is to finish the Heron
Basics™ Program in reading, writing, and mathematics,
then move on to the next level of skill in these areas;
study skills should be finely honed; practical application can lead to apprenticeships
both off and on campus; the broad curriculum of science, foreign language, history,
life skills, art, music, and geography is further rounded.
Basics
The Middle School student finishes the Heron Basics™ Program then moves up
to the next level in each of those basic areas. In reading, literature seminars
have the student reading some of the classics including works by Dickens, Twain,
Shakespeare, and Homer. In writing, students are integrating their reading material
with analytical skills in writing research papers, reports and essays. By the end
of Form 6, students will have taken the equivalent of a year of algebra and have
addressed the next level of basic geometry. Instant response calculation skills
are maintained at a high level.
Curriculum
Besides literature, writing, and mathematics, Middle School students will have their
choice of two foreign languages: French or Spanish; will take a variety of courses
in chemistry and physics; and will become thoroughly familiar with U.S. geography.
In history and government, emphasis will be on comprehending people, places and
events in a greater global framework as well as focusing on American history. Middle
School students participate in current events seminars which train them in both
research and presentation skills. In Life Skills, students will take courses in
nutrition, manners, ethics, logic, and economics.
Study Skills
By this time, students have mastered their study skills and are mainly working independently
with supervision from the teacher. They have become expert at being effective students
and overcoming study barriers.