“In the soul of the adolescent, great treasures are hidden.” – Maria Montessori
As children journey into the wonderful era of adolescence, they have an increased need to explore the world around them and feel they are a vital part of the community. They are on a new cusp of developing skills for lifelong learning, social responsibility, and effective habits of thought and action.
The ideal learning environment for adolescents fosters intellectual, physical, and emotional development (the whole person) and allows them to pursue their interests while achieving academic and leadership excellence. The Montessori process encourages lifelong learning and approaches every experience as an opportunity to acquire knowledge, continue personal growth, and positively impact the environment.
The WMS Middle School is housed at the Waterman’s Museum on the York River and takes advantage of the tremendous resources that both the Museum and the River offer. Distinctive features of the program include access to science labs and research-based facilities; partnership with the Waterman’s Museum and other community resources; aquaculture service projects; oyster bed cultivation; and boat-building.
The curriculum is designed to equip students with skills, concepts, and habits of mind needed to succeed in high school advanced placement courses and college. All courses of study are hands-on opportunities to engage in meaningful work. Computer technology is interwoven in many areas of the curriculum as students access information, further their research, collaborate on projects and find creative ways to present reports.
Middle School at WMS ushers in a new level of independence–from making choices and planning activities to practicing the daily skills necessary for a healthy mind and body. Essential to balancing the academic and physical development of an adolescent is the opportunity to explore one’s role among peers and within society. The middle school curriculum at WMS is designed to amply prepare students for high school and help them take their place in the community.
Mathmatics
Language
Science
History, Geography, Civics
Spanish
Fine Arts
Building Life Skills/Micro-Economy Project
Mathematics
Through the use of higher-order thinking skills, students learn to solve problems, beginning with the transition from an arithmetic to an algebraic approach. Students progress through pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry. Concepts come to life with hands-on activities, such as building ships. In keeping with Montessori philosophy, students manage reality-based economic enterprises related to aquaculture and the study of the sea.
Language
Using an integrated approach to learning, students develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills along with self-confidence and self-expression. A variety of approaches include debate, seminar, drama, essays, video, poetry, literature study, and other genres.
Science
Building on the Five Great Lessons taught during the elementary years, students utilize the York River, Chesapeake Bay, and surrounding areas to explore the Life and Environmental Sciences as part of the school’s aquaculture focus. Other integrated topics in science focus on life science, physical science and Earth science with emphasis on the study of life cycles, matter and energy, behavior and culture, agriculture, earth preservation, and sustainability in the context of social responsibility and governance.
History, Geography and Civics
Students develop an understanding of human progress through an integration of the social sciences. Historical study includes the Americas as well as other world civilizations using an evolving timeline and a focus on large questions and patterns in history. Students use geographic themes of location, human-environment interaction, movement, and region to integrate ideas from history and geography. Primary readings from different historical periods, as well as novel studies, are included. Students learn about their government through practical experiences, such as field trips, community involvement and simulations.
Spanish
Lessons include vocabulary, oral language, listening comprehension, and cultural studies. Students will complete high school Spanish I in the 7th and 8th grade years.
Fine Arts
Students study various forms of studio art, acting, singing, photography, guitar, and related history. They enjoy community art activities and experience the lively arts scene that surrounds the Hampton Roads area.
Building Life Skills/Micro-Economy Project
Dr. Montessori believed that adolescents need real and meaningful work in order to develop an understanding of their identity in society. The WMS middle school provides deep exploration of economics and social responsibility through land and water stewardship, as well as a commitment to renewable and sustainable resources. Hands-on experience is gained as students create and maintain their own business based on these explorations.