From Our Middle School Division Head
Thank you for visiting our website. I am proud to welcome you to Episcopal and particularly to the Middle School Division of our school. Our division has a long history of success in meeting the developmental needs of young adolescents during a period of rapid and dramatic growth and change in their lives. We have assembled a faculty and staff who genuinely enjoy their daily work and care deeply about the physical and emotional safety, the academic progress, and the spiritual and character development of their students. It is a privilege to be part of a school community whose whole-child focus and mission and ministry statement empower our staff to nurture the gifts of a diverse, enthusiastic community of young people.
Our offerings in the middle school are comprehensive and broad, with opportunities for students to engage in course work and co-curricular opportunities, enabling the discovery of their unique passions and interests, laying the groundwork for deeper, more focused participation in high school. In addition to our strong college preparatory curriculum, middle school students have opportunities for participation in athletics, the arts, service learning, competitive academic experiences, leadership development activities, and the rich spiritual life of our community. We welcome you and your children to visit our campus for tours and classroom visits. Our Admissions Staff stands ready to facilitate opportunities for you to learn more about our middle school and all it offers. Please let us help you discover whether the Episcopal community is the right fit for your student. Sincerely, Mark Engstrom Middle School Division Head |
“Episcopal feels like home to me. The teachers truly care about me and want me to be successful. My classmates all support each other, and together, we strive to be the best we can be.” “Episcopal is a part of us wherever we go, and we must remember the place where we began in order to be successful in life.” Middle School Events |
Student Focus
Middle School students benefit from small classes, the nurture of caring teachers who understand and enjoy the middle school age group, and an advisory curriculum designed to empower them to successfully navigate the transitions of this developmental stage. School counselors meet with students on an individual basis or in small group settings to support them with school, friendship, family, or mental health needs.
Our Learning Support Services Program provides appropriate support and accommodations for students with diagnosed learning differences and attention challenges.
Middle School students benefit from small classes, the nurture of caring teachers who understand and enjoy the middle school age group, and an advisory curriculum designed to empower them to successfully navigate the transitions of this developmental stage. School counselors meet with students on an individual basis or in small group settings to support them with school, friendship, family, or mental health needs.
Our Learning Support Services Program provides appropriate support and accommodations for students with diagnosed learning differences and attention challenges.
Aligned Curriculum Ensures Strong Preparation
Middle School teachers are organized in academic departments with subject area Upper School colleagues.
Departmental collaboration ensures alignment of curriculum and professional growth, and supports a smooth transition to Upper School for our students.
Middle School teachers are organized in academic departments with subject area Upper School colleagues.
Departmental collaboration ensures alignment of curriculum and professional growth, and supports a smooth transition to Upper School for our students.
21st Century Education – 1:1 iPad
Empowered by and engaged with the curriculum, the Middle School’s one-to-one iPad program offers our students an expanded set of learning opportunities for both collaborative and self-directed learning. With a personal iPad available to them at all times, our students possess an integral learning tool to gain the 21st Century skills required to excel and compete globally.
Empowered by and engaged with the curriculum, the Middle School’s one-to-one iPad program offers our students an expanded set of learning opportunities for both collaborative and self-directed learning. With a personal iPad available to them at all times, our students possess an integral learning tool to gain the 21st Century skills required to excel and compete globally.
Opportunities beyond the Classroom
Middle School students have opportunities to pursue their academic interests through competitive programs such as Math Counts, Youth Legislature, and You Be the Chemist. Support from our Science Instigator motivates and inspires those who choose project work for science fairs or team participation in Future Lego League Robotics, Community Problem Solvers, or Future City competitions.
Middle School students have opportunities to pursue their academic interests through competitive programs such as Math Counts, Youth Legislature, and You Be the Chemist. Support from our Science Instigator motivates and inspires those who choose project work for science fairs or team participation in Future Lego League Robotics, Community Problem Solvers, or Future City competitions.
High School Credit Opportunities
Middle School students who are ready for the rigor of high school level course work have the opportunity to earn high school credit in Physical Science, Algebra I, Geometry, World Geography, French, Latin, or Spanish, thus creating flexibility for scheduling a wider variety of electives during high school and building a strong foundation for high school success.
Middle School students who are ready for the rigor of high school level course work have the opportunity to earn high school credit in Physical Science, Algebra I, Geometry, World Geography, French, Latin, or Spanish, thus creating flexibility for scheduling a wider variety of electives during high school and building a strong foundation for high school success.
The Episcopal community is built on a foundation of supportive, respectful, and trusting relationships among students, parents, faculty, and administration. Through powerful programs such as advisory and leadership training, we understand the needs of adolescents and what it takes to prepare them for Upper School.
Honor Code
The core values of the School’s Honor Code, respect and honesty, are incorporated into four key statements which we expect all members of our community to uphold: respect yourself and others, take care of Episcopal’s environment and materials, be honest and fair, and respect others’ rights to learn. Our school rules, procedures, and guidelines support these principles; our discipline strategies are designed to enable students to reflect and to restore respect when they make mistakes. Our goal is to support students as they learn and move forward positively.
Spiritual Development
Middle School students have opportunities to grow spiritually through regular chapel worship, yearly religion course work, and opportunities for service. Daily life supports reflection and prayer. Students actively serve and participate as Student Vestry members, Chapel Readers, Praise Band musicians and Acolytes.
Service Learning
Service learning empowers students to understand challenges facing our local and global community and to discover ways to make a positive difference. The Center for Service Learning provides opportunities and support as students learn, serve and reflect.
Student Clubs
Middle School students enjoy participation in a wide variety of clubs. With the guidance and support of dedicated faculty sponsors, these organizations encourage positive social interaction, leadership development, and service opportunities. Middle School Clubs include world language clubs, service clubs, Cheerleaders, Junior Thespians, and Art Club. Academic oriented clubs include Math Counts, Youth Legislature, and First Lego League.
Leadership Development
Opportunities to realize their leadership potential and to learn the skills of collaboration, responsibility, communication, and problem solving abound for Middle School students. An active Student Council and Student Vestry support class and community projects, plan and lead worship, and design fun social activities for the Middle School division. Peer Leaders and Peer Mediators receive training to support and orient new students and to help resolve conflicts among their classmates. Club officers provide support and structure to ensure appropriate student engagement and responsibility in a variety of club activities.
Grade Level Retreats and Travel Opportunities
Each grade-level class has opportunities to build strong bonds of friendship and community through retreat experiences and travel. Typically the sixth grade class enjoys a friendship retreat early in the school year to begin to establish their class identity and travels together for a local service learning experience in the spring. The seventh grade class has a tradition of traveling to Memphis, Tennessee each spring to explore interesting curricular connections offered there, while the eighth graders travel to Hunt, Texas each fall to participate in Mo Ranch’s Environmental Leadership Program.
Parental Support
We welcome and depend on a positive partnership with parents in the education process. Volunteer opportunities abound through our active Parents’ Guild. Parent/Faculty conferences are available upon request at any point during the school year. The Counseling Department sponsors regular education programs and a yearly book study for parents. Parents U-Knighted, a support group program for parents of students with learning differences, provides monthly opportunities for connection and communication.
The core values of the School’s Honor Code, respect and honesty, are incorporated into four key statements which we expect all members of our community to uphold: respect yourself and others, take care of Episcopal’s environment and materials, be honest and fair, and respect others’ rights to learn. Our school rules, procedures, and guidelines support these principles; our discipline strategies are designed to enable students to reflect and to restore respect when they make mistakes. Our goal is to support students as they learn and move forward positively.
Spiritual Development
Middle School students have opportunities to grow spiritually through regular chapel worship, yearly religion course work, and opportunities for service. Daily life supports reflection and prayer. Students actively serve and participate as Student Vestry members, Chapel Readers, Praise Band musicians and Acolytes.
Service Learning
Service learning empowers students to understand challenges facing our local and global community and to discover ways to make a positive difference. The Center for Service Learning provides opportunities and support as students learn, serve and reflect.
Student Clubs
Middle School students enjoy participation in a wide variety of clubs. With the guidance and support of dedicated faculty sponsors, these organizations encourage positive social interaction, leadership development, and service opportunities. Middle School Clubs include world language clubs, service clubs, Cheerleaders, Junior Thespians, and Art Club. Academic oriented clubs include Math Counts, Youth Legislature, and First Lego League.
Leadership Development
Opportunities to realize their leadership potential and to learn the skills of collaboration, responsibility, communication, and problem solving abound for Middle School students. An active Student Council and Student Vestry support class and community projects, plan and lead worship, and design fun social activities for the Middle School division. Peer Leaders and Peer Mediators receive training to support and orient new students and to help resolve conflicts among their classmates. Club officers provide support and structure to ensure appropriate student engagement and responsibility in a variety of club activities.
Grade Level Retreats and Travel Opportunities
Each grade-level class has opportunities to build strong bonds of friendship and community through retreat experiences and travel. Typically the sixth grade class enjoys a friendship retreat early in the school year to begin to establish their class identity and travels together for a local service learning experience in the spring. The seventh grade class has a tradition of traveling to Memphis, Tennessee each spring to explore interesting curricular connections offered there, while the eighth graders travel to Hunt, Texas each fall to participate in Mo Ranch’s Environmental Leadership Program.
Parental Support
We welcome and depend on a positive partnership with parents in the education process. Volunteer opportunities abound through our active Parents’ Guild. Parent/Faculty conferences are available upon request at any point during the school year. The Counseling Department sponsors regular education programs and a yearly book study for parents. Parents U-Knighted, a support group program for parents of students with learning differences, provides monthly opportunities for connection and communication.
Counseling and Student Support Services
We recognize that many factors can interfere with students’ academic performance. The counseling program at Episcopal provides a supportive environment in which each child can develop spiritually, emotionally, socially and academically. It is our goal to assist students as they maximize their strengths and reach their greatest potential. Episcopal has four full-time counselors on staff to meet the emotional, psychosocial, and academic needs of the entire student body. In addition to the supportive services listed below, the counseling department offers individual and small group counseling, parent support and book study, and a wide array of community services and events.
Learning Support Services
Students diagnosed with learning differences are offered classroom accommodations, counseling support, and assistance in applying for extended time accommodations for national standardized tests. Additionally, assistive technology programs are available to meet their learning needs.
Advisory Program (Grades 6-12)
Mentoring students both individually and as a group, Advisors maintain an open line of communication between the school and parents, supervising activities related to students' academic progress and semester schedules. For Middle and Upper School students, their advisor is a mentor, role model and advocate, and is often the first point of contact for parents. Group advisory is an opportunity for students to form relationships with other students in their cohort, and for new students, this may be the first group with which they will become actively involved.
Support Student Groups
Student Support Groups are formed in each division on an as-needed basis. Banana Splits is offered in all divisions to support students with family changes such as separation, divorce or grief. OYES, Owning Your Educational Success, is an Upper School support group for students diagnosed with learning differences. This group helps students to manage their learning difference and achieve their personal best. Other groups are formed on an as needed basis to address developmental issues such as anxiety, relationship problems, social skills training, and study skills.
Peer Leaders and Mediators
Episcopal provides many opportunities for students to take on leadership roles. Peer Leaders welcome students new to Episcopal in the Middle and Upper School. They also work with the division counselors to lead activities to build a positive school culture. Peer Mediators are trained Middle School students who help peers navigate conflicts. Mediators use problem solving methods developed by the New Jersey Bar Association for school mediation programs.
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