The middle school program serves students sixth through eighth grades. FLACS’ middle school curriculum develops adolescents that are critical thinkers, self-motivated to excel in school, and socially conscious of the world and people around them.
The middle school program is departmentalized with each subject headed by a different teacher. Each middle school classroom has a lead teacher and teaching assistant. It is the school’s expectation that FLACS graduates will enter top-tier public and private institutions throughout New York City in which they will continue to develop intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
The school’s academic program includes:
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Saxon Math: The Saxon Mathematics program has been continued for use in grades six through eight. In mathematics, students build on the work started at the elementary level and continue becoming mathematical problem solvers.
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English Language Arts: The balanced literacy approach first introduced in the elementary school is continued in the middle school. In literacy, students analyze and respond to literature with a critical lens. Students continue to develop their voice as writers. At the heart of a balanced approach to literacy are the varying levels of support provided by teachers to students that are gradually removed so that a student becomes an independent, skilled reader. FLACS’ approach takes into consideration the needs of the learner and the supports or challenges that a task presents. On a daily basis, teachers read to students, with students, and provide opportunities for independent reading by students. Teachers model reading aloud with expression and fluency to and with students. The ultimate goal with balanced literacy is to ensure that students develop strong reading skills and that they become life-long readers. In conjunction with the balanced literacy approach, FLACS has incorporated the use of the McDougal-Littell Literature Program in grades six through eight.
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Harcourt Brace Science: The curriculum brings the physical elements of the world to the students by introducing the scientific theories and helping students discover why everyday phenomena occur. Students engage in hands-on learning through science labs. The use of the Glencoe New York Science program has been implemented to support these goals.
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Horizons for Social Studies: The social studies curriculum focuses on learning about the geography, economy, politics, and history of the people of our country and the world. Students engage in critical thinking about why events in the past occurred and what the impact of these events were. The sixth grade curriculum focuses on the Eastern Hemisphere. Students in grades seven and eight engage in a rigorous study of the United States. Holt Eastern Hemispheres and United States History programs are used to support these goals.
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Spanish Language Arts, “Holt Expresate": FLACS provides an in depth Spanish language instruction to all students. Spanish language instruction makes students aware of all the people and places where Spanish is spoken bringing insight and understanding of the community in which they live. The course highlights rules of usage, principles of composition, matters of structure, and words and expressions commonly misused.
Special Structures:
In its first seven years of existence, a series of special structures evolved, which will be continued in the school’s next middle school phase:
- 120 minute literacy block each day
- 120 minute mathematics block each day
- Extended day for middle school:
- Monday's and Friday's 8:15AM - 3:30PM
- Tuesday's through Thursday's 8:15AM - 4:10PM
- Saturday Academy
- After School Tutoring and Enrichment