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When choosing a middle school, focus on both on academic excellence and a nurturing atmosphere.
Four School Characteristics to Look for When Choosing a Middle School for Your Child

Picking the right middle school for your child is a significant decision that sets the stage for their academic and personal growth in early adolescence and beyond. Middle school is a time when students take on more responsibility for their own learning and begin to recognize and develop their strengths. It’s also a time of tremendous transition, as students bridge childhood and young adulthood. That’s why it’s essential to find a school that focuses both on academic excellence and on nurturing individuality through a holistic learning experience.

Rowland Hall, a top private middle school in Utah, shares the following four key factors to consider when searching for an ideal middle school—one that aligns with your student’s needs and aspirations.

1. Voice and Choice in Course Selection

A student-voice approach not only enhances engagement but also encourages deep learning, as each student takes ownership of their experience.

One crucial aspect of a high-quality middle school is an emphasis on student voice. A school that encourages student agency in their education understands that every child is unique, with distinct learning styles and interests, and so provides room for educational exploration. Furthermore, schools that incorporate authentic learning opportunities such as project-based learning (see below) allow students to explore subjects that resonate with their passions and give them a say in their educational journey. A student-voice approach not only enhances engagement but also encourages deep learning, as each student takes ownership of their experience.

2. Authentic Learning Opportunities

Authentic learning is an educational approach that emphasizes real-world, meaningful, and hands-on experiences to engage students in the learning process. It goes beyond traditional classroom activities and textbooks, aiming to add academic content to practical, relevant, and applicable real-world situations, many of which are designed to mirror or simulate tasks and challenges students may encounter in their personal or professional lives. Whether through field trips, community projects, or partnerships with local organizations, authentic learning fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. A school that values these real-world applications ensures that students are prepared for the challenges they’ll face outside the classroom.

3. Leadership Opportunities

Middle school is a pivotal time for students to develop leadership skills that will serve them well in the future. Look for schools that provide ample leadership opportunities, whether through student councils, clubs, or other extracurricular activities designed to promote connection with and responsibility for the school community. A school that fosters leadership not only helps students build confidence but also instills a sense of responsibility and teamwork, preparing young learners for challenges beyond the classroom.

4. Close Relationships with Teachers

Strong teacher-student connections make a significant difference in academic performance and emotional well-being.

A nurturing and supportive environment is especially crucial during the transitional middle school years. Pay attention to schools that prioritize building close relationships between students and teachers, as strong teacher-student connections make a significant difference in students’ academic performance and emotional well-being. Look for institutions that encourage open communication, mentorship programs, and a genuine interest in understanding each student’s unique strengths and challenges.

Choosing Rowland Hall Middle School, a Leading Utah Independent Private School

Rowland Hall’s private middle school, conveniently and centrally located in Salt Lake City, Utah, recognizes and honors the significant middle school years. Centered around deep and meaningful relationships, our Middle School holistically supports early adolescent students, with expert teachers guiding them toward academic success and positive personal growth.

If you are interested in exploring our independent middle school for your student, contact our Admission Team to arrange a campus visit. They can answer your questions and connect you with Rowland Hall students or alumni to help you get a sense of school culture, academic expectations, and extracurricular activities. Let us help you assess your student’s needs and determine whether our curriculum and program is the best fit for your family. Inquire here.

Middle School

Kindergarten Students Explore Community and the Power of Good Deeds

Kindergarten is an exceptional year of growth for students, where they begin to understand themselves and what makes them unique, as well as start to look outside themselves and discover the many ways they can contribute to their communities.

Community is a big, overarching topic explored all year long in kindergarten and begins with a focus on each child and their family during the first weeks of school. Children explore their unique talents and qualities with teachers and classmates, and learn to identify their similarities and differences.

In the late fall, focus shifts to the communities the children belong to, with an emphasis on the classroom community and school community. This work is guided by questions, including “Who am I as a classroom member?” and “How can I help my community?” These questions often lead to conversations about good deeds, with students spending time examining what good deeds are and how to identify them.

This year, kindergarten students in Katie and Vicki’s class turned that conversation into action by identifying how they could contribute to their community: One day, while in the Beginning School nature yard, the students went into the storage shed to collect a few items to play with. When they opened the door, they commented on how it was difficult to see what was available. After identifying this problem, the children were determined to take action by organizing the storage shed as well as the surrounding nature yard, which they decided could also use some attention. The students happily raked, swept, cut, carried, sorted, and worked together to get the job done. In addition to giving the students a burst of confidence, the exploration and experience behind this good deed crossed multiple domains of learning, and was grounded in the Social Justice Standards that are part of Rowland Hall’s kindergarten curriculum. Katie and Vicki were also able to turn the experience into a literacy and math learning opportunity that set the stage for a series of mathematical investigations in which students explored quantity, counting, grouping, and early place value.

After completing their project, the kindergartners beamed with pride—then decided to organize and label the shed on the playground as well. The results—clean, organized storage sheds and a nature yard prepped for the season—are beautiful contributions to their community.
 

Community

 

You Belong at Rowland Hall