Middle School
SCHOOL IN THE SQUARE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Serving 6th-8th Grade
120 Wadsworth Avenue
NY, NY 10033
Our Middle School is defined by academic rigor, passion, and community.
Our middle school campus is the bridge between elementary and high school, where students develop more maturity and independence as they take ownership for accomplishing at a higher level of challenge and work to deepen their academic skills.
The educational program follows the common core curriculum through which our 6th-8th graders apply themselves across academic disciplines: English language arts, social studies, math and sciences, along with Spanish language studies and the “essentials” – an array of arts and PE/sports opportunities.
We ask students to challenge themselves, manage their time, apply their learning and share perspectives with each other through classes that regularly feature discussion, debate, collaborative projects, hands-on problem-solving and investigations, and written and oral presentations.
Our Learning Environment
List of Services
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Personalized LearningList Item 1
Each student receives individualized attention through our co-teaching model, small group instruction, and extra learning time.
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Enrichment ActivitiesList Item 2
Enrichment activities that strengthen community culture include leadership opportunities through student government, clubs, and competitive sports programs.
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Free after-school programList Item 3
Free after-school program offers family support and guided activities, including homework supervision, for all Middle School students thanks to our partnership with the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans.
Our innovative approach includes a longer school day and school year, as well as an after-school program available to all students.
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1:1 Access to TechnologyList Item 4
A personal Chromebook laptop is provided to every student, along with digital literacy and support.
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Restorative Justice Approach
Restorative practices focus on building healthy relationships, fostering SEL skills, and empowering students to address and correct misbehaviors cooperatively. Restorative justice circles, Town Halls, and positive discipline are at the core of our approach.
Placitas
12:1 student-teacher "Placita" groups where students convene to build relationships, set goals, and learn how to advocate for themselves.
Advisory
Students learn SEL skills like self-awareness & management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Sports & Athletics
Sports—Multiple teams each season including volleyball, basketball, soccer, and flag football
Summer in the Square
We are proud to offer our students a true summer camp experience, with a program that rotates between art, sports, field trips, and much more.
Core Curriculum
List of Services
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English Language Arts (ELA)List Item 1
Savvas MyPerspectives
Read classic and contemporary texts
Engage in discussion and debate
Collaborative projects
Formulate and defend their perspective through writing and presentations
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Social StudiesList Item 2
Passports & Facing History
Student-centered and project-based
Personal connection to history
Develop critical thinking and writing skills
Interactive digital resources
*8th Grade: U.S. History Regents
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MathList Item 3
Amplify Illustrative Math
Inquiry-based
Real-world narratives and connections
Highlight diversity in mathematicians and problem-solving
Data driven supports
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ScienceList Item 4
Amplify Science (6th-7th grades)
New Visions-Biology (8th grade)
Inquiry-based
Hands-on lab investigations
Interactive digital demonstrations
Scientific texts
*8th Grade: Biology Regents
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Spanish courses, arts and athletics
Spanish courses focus on Spanish language literacy and speaking as well as cultural explorations. Comeplemtning the core curriculum, the school offers visual arts, music, theater and physical fitness/athletics programming, including competitive teams.
Our Pillars for Learning
A culture of care leads to a culture of achievement.
We greet each student warmly by name, seek their input on school policy, and listen carefully to all parties in a conflict, reinforcing norms of trust, respect, high expectations, support, optimism and accountability. By continually hearing the messages, “we know you, we have time for you, you matter,” students recognize the responsibility they have to themselves and to their community.
The setup for success.
We have built-in opportunities for students to learn to increase their concentration and self-awareness, and practice stress-reducing strategies like meditation. Students can also spend this time learning homework strategies, practicing goal-setting, developing academic perseverance and tenacity, or for extra studying.
Academic achievement is our key focus.
S2 is committed to being data-driven while keeping students, not only test scores, at the center. Our students come from many places with varied levels of academic skills, and we meet them where they are. Personalizing each student’s education is the key to their success.
A built-in democratic community
We give students authentic opportunities to practice democracy and make choices that contribute to our school. We empower our students to address and discuss important & complex school, community, and social issues while learning multicultural awareness practices and perspective-taking. When children believe their choices matter, they develop the personal skills necessary to exercise them responsibly.
