Academics

Middle School

Academic Schedule:
The Middle School academic program consists of seven classes: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, French, Physical Education and Arts. In addition to the core courses, all Middle School students have a math extensions course and a study period that occur once per cycle. The study period provides time with their homeroom teacher to ensure their responsibilities are well-managed while also allowing for an opportunity to collaborate with their peers outside of class. Daily reading time is also provided in order to foster a lifelong love of reading.
 
Middle School Arts:
The Middle School Arts program was recently revamped in September 2016 to offer four possible classes and give students the ability to choose two areas in which wish to develop their creative passion. The options include fine arts, drama, music and engineering & design. This multi-option approach encourages students to discover their passions, hone their skills and even consider long term plans for those who are spending multiple years in the program. The arts program is launched in September with a trip to Charlottetown, PE where students are given a chance to experience each of the four arts in one of Atlantic Canada’s most arts-enriched communities. Each arts course culminates with the Middle School Showcase, where the students perform and share their progress with the school community.

Alternative Learning Experiences:
At Rothesay Netherwood School, we believe that learning can take many different forms and can happen in any environment, not just inside a classroom. In the Middle School, we take advantage of the energy and curiosity of our students by introducing them to new learning experiences when and wherever possible. From something as simple as a science excursion to Spy Glass Hill or an in-class “Breakout Room,”  to an experience as memorable as our annual educational trip (Disney 2018, Dominican Republic 2019, Quebec City 2020), our students are constantly being presented with different perspectives and alternate ways of exploring knowledge and its application to the world around them.
Middle School Homeroom:
In order to provide a positive and welcoming environment in which students can feel safe to take risks and to be themselves, they need to have a place where they belong. Through the homeroom structure, each student has a small group of peers with whom they can grow and a space on campus as a “home base.” Each homeroom is led by a middle school teacher who understands the demands on the students and the challenges they face. The small size of the group allows the teacher the opportunity to develop a close relationship with each member. The homeroom teacher also serves as the main point of contact for the parent, facilitating communication between the school and home. The homeroom groups become very close over the course of the year and often organize bonding experiences, ranging from group meals, movie nights and even full-class sleep-overs.

Year-End Project:
It is important for students to finish the year on a positive note feeling that they have accomplished something valuable. For this reason, we choose to end the school year with the Year-End Project rather than final exams. For two full days following final exams, the students are placed into mixed-grade groups to complete an interesting task. The focus of the project changes each year. An example of a past project had the students create their own “food truck,” working within a budget, creating a theme, and even holding a tasting for a panel of judges. Last year, the project was based around community service which had the students choose an initiative around the local community, ranging from a Senior Care Centre to the local animal shelter to painting a mural for the city of Saint John. Through on-site investigation, the students identified a problem that the organization faced and worked to find a solution. The year-end project allows the students to apply the skills that they have worked to build over the course of the year to a real-world situation in a new and fun setting. The result is a feeling of pride in what they have been able to accomplish.

 
The Whole Student:
In addition to academic endeavors, the Middle School program focuses on building life skills such as empathy, communication, problem solving and managing feelings. Students explore these life skills in traditional and non-traditional methods to encourage self-reflection, and most importantly, self-awareness. Organization and study skills are addressed in each of the classes, and are reinforced during homeroom and study periods.

Contact

For more information on Middle School at RNS, contact

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Mary-Ellen Wilcox

    Mary-Ellen Wilcox 

    Director of Middle School / Science Teacher
    506-847-8224
40 College Hill Road
Rothesay, NB
E2E 5H1
Canada
 
+1-506-847-8224
+1-866-768-4372

info@rns.cc

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