Lower East Side Middle

Proven Academics

English Language Arts and Writing

Our Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) program teachers combine literacy programs to help students become great readers and writers. We blend interactive read-alouds, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, and root word study. ELA class takes place for two hours daily and emphasizes comprehension strategies, and evaluating texts through discussion circles and essay writing.

Each class consists of direct instruction in a reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary; small group work, and independent work to apply what was learned. Teachers conference with students about comprehension and writing skills during independent work times. Additionally, students maintain a writing portfolio in which they continuously refine anchor essays to reflect the learning focus of each month. By the end of the year, students will have a portfolio of polished literary, historical, and science essays, as well as a research paper and memoir.

Math

Math instruction takes place for one hour and fifteen minutes daily. The framework of our math curriculum is Envision Math, supplemented with Singapore Math and Exemplars, a problem-solving program. Teachers enrich the program with interactive games, centers, and activities.

Our math instruction consists of whole class-concept development, problem solving activities, direct instruction, and independent practice. We use data to meet the diverse learning needs of every child and to create small groups, learning centers, and review stations.

Social Studies and Science

Our 5th Grade Social Studies Curriculum consists of studies in world geography, economics, forms of government and American History. Students learn how to read primary documents, maps, charts, and write essays that answer critical thinking questions, draw conclusions and support their answers with evidence from texts. In 6th Grade students will study ancient civilizations and their legacy on our world today.

7th and 8th graders will receive instruction in Global and American History and teachers will augment the State’s curriculum with readings about social issues that affect women, and our community. Through Social Studies, students are guided to see the larger world context and create personal action plans to address issues important to them in their community. Students are also required to perform the tasks of historians and explain the historical relevance of events, evaluate the motivations and impact of historical figures on human history, and posit theories, justifying their thinking with historical details.

Our Science curriculum is spiraled and exposes students to Earth, Life and Physical Science throughout the year. Students learn how to ask scientific questions, conduct experiments, write lab reports and essays that explain scientific concepts. Students will also be exposed to Forensic Science, Engineering and Environmental Science through our science program.

Foreign Language

All students will graduate proficient in at least one foreign language. Spanish will be taught in 5th and 6th grade. Students who pass a written and oral exam, can elect to take a new foreign language (language to be determined) or continue the study of Spanish.

Arts, Physical Education and Health

The girls will receive Visual Art and Physical Education classes twice a week and Music and Health classes once a week.

Study Hall

We believe in the importance of forming good habits of mind. The best students make homework and studying a priority. Our mandatory, hour-long study hall Monday through Thursday helps to ensure that students get in the habit of doing their homework directly after school in a quiet environment. Teachers are also present for tutoring and homework clarification during this time.

Saturday Academy

Our Saturday Academy provides additional instruction for students who need more academic support. Students who perform poorly on monthly and interim ELA and Math assessments are required to attend Saturday Academy. Students attend Saturday Academy until there is demonstrated improvement in weak skill areas.

Saturday Enrichment

Saturday Enrichment classes serve as an extension to our core curriculum. At various points during the year, students are required to sign up for workshops, classes and field trips.

Jumpstart Program

From April through June, incoming 5th and 6th graders attend our Saturday program three days a week. Instruction in ELA and Math are provided to get students ready for the fall, and group building activities introduce students to the Girls Prep culture.

August Power-Up Program

In August, all 5th and 6th grade students attend our Power-Up Program. Students get a head-start on the school year with their ELA and Math teachers and spend time getting to know their fellow classmates.

Assessment

Assessment driven instruction is a cornerstone of our academic program. All teachers informally assess students at the end of each class to ascertain who needs further instruction and/or extension of what was taught. Teachers begin classes by grouping for instruction based on the previous day's informal assessment. Weekly, monthly and quarterly formal assessments ensure that all students have learned what was taught and can apply their learning to new content.

Students who have not demonstrated mastery on their weekly assessments will be tutored during study hall- a mandatory homework period, Monday through Thursday.

Students who continue to struggle, as evidenced on their monthly assessments and/or quarterly assessments, will be required to attend our Saturday Academy until they have mastered the material.

In addition to our internal assessments, we use the Terra Nova and Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests to measure student learning and progress.