Middle School (6-8)
Middle School Overview
Welcome to the Middle School at Children's Academy, where students in Grades 6 through 8 build on their foundation and begin to make their learning their own: deeper academics, stronger self-advocacy, growing independence, and the confidence to communicate in any setting. Our integrated academic-therapeutic program keeps every student challenged and progressing, with therapy and academics happening together throughout the day.
Integrated, Language-Based Learning
In Middle School, academics and therapy remain woven together throughout the day. Every classroom is led by a head teacher, a teaching assistant, and a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist, with occupational therapy embedded into each student's day. Our skill-based grouping and 6:2:1 ratio for academic subjects mean every student is met where they are and given the time, support, and encouragement to take on more challenging work with confidence.
Literacy Grounded in the Science of Reading
Reading instruction at Children's Academy is built on what research shows actually works. In Middle School, structured literacy instruction continues as students move from learning to read to reading to learn: building fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension across novels, nonfiction, and content-area texts, with explicit instruction in writing and critical thinking. Every student receives the targeted support they need to become a confident, independent reader and writer.
Social and Emotional Development
We understand how important social and emotional growth is in the early years. Through our Social Thinking-informed SEL classes, students develop a shared vocabulary for navigating social situations and communicating with confidence, building empathy, self-esteem, and a strong sense of community along the way.
Family Engagement
At Children's Academy, families are partners in their child's progress. Through regular communication with teachers and therapists, parent workshops, and school events throughout the year, we keep families informed, involved, and connected to the work happening every day in the classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades does the Middle School serve, and what makes it different?
The Middle School serves students in Grades 6 through 8. This is the stage where students begin to make their learning their own, taking on deeper academics, building stronger self-advocacy, and developing the growing independence and confidence to communicate in any setting. Our integrated academic-therapeutic program keeps every student challenged and progressing throughout these transitional years.
How is instruction structured for Middle School students?
Instruction is individualized to each student's IEP and aligned to New York State learning standards, with accommodations and modifications built in. Rather than a one-size-fits-all course catalog, each student's program is designed around their goals across core subjects, with therapy and academics happening together throughout the day rather than as separate pull-out sessions.
How does the Middle School support social and emotional growth?
Social-emotional development is a central focus as students navigate early adolescence. With support integrated into the classroom, students strengthen self-advocacy, communication, and social skills in everyday settings, building the empathy, confidence, and resilience they'll rely on as they move toward high school.
How does the Middle School prepare students for high school and beyond?
Our Middle School program builds on each student's earlier foundation, deepening academic skills, self-advocacy, and social-emotional growth so students are ready for what comes next. As they progress through Grades 6 to 8, we help them grow in independence and confidence, preparing them for the transition into our Upper School and high school-level work.
Ready to see what comes next? Our Upper School program builds on this foundation, deepening academic skills, self-advocacy, and social-emotional growth as students prepare for high school and beyond.