Our Program

Our program offers a balanced curriculum that addresses the academic, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of the growing adolescent.

The State College Friends Middle School is organized to respond to the educational needs and many facets of early adolescents. During this exciting time of rapid growth and increasing independence, middle school students explore both their personal identities and their relationships to others. Our program meets their diverse needs and supports this exploration within a safe framework.  For more information on the basis of our program, please visit the Origins “Developmental Designs” website:  http://www.originsonline.org/dd_index.php

 Our core classes are multi-age.  Students are divided into two academically-balanced groups to increase social interaction across grade levels. Research also shows that mixed-age classrooms will contribute to the development of an empathetic, supportive classroom environment. Because our groups are small, this enables our teachers to develop an intimate knowledge of each student’s areas of challenge and needed growth. To support high academic achievement, we provide many experiential learning opportunities that promote exploration, discovery and application of knowledge.These opportunities include near-weekly, off-campus learning and community service events as a part of our local ecology and community studies (LECS) program.  Exploration and discovery learning is also enhanced by our thematic social studies program and carries over into science and language arts.  As a part of our program, the middle school teachers provide and facilitate developmentally-appropriate activities and projects that lead to self-discovery, skill building, and abstract thinking.

In keeping with the practices that have been found best for this age group, students will also have choices in their learning and will be given the opportunity to assume the role of a teacher. Examples and role models for social justice and action will be a primary focus throughout the curriculum as this is an area of both high interest and enthusiasm for adolescents.