In the “Educational Syllabus,” Dr. Maria Montessori wrote about the adolescent’s need for self-expression, psychic development, and preparation for adult life. Self-Expression is an important part of the adolescent experience because it meets the needs of the self-conscious, growing student. It provides an avenue to reflect and contribute a piece of themselves in their work, as well as develop self-awareness and voice to express how they think, feel, and understand. Psychic development in the adolescent involves math, language and moral development. These three areas are integral to human interdependency and are required for social interaction. Middle school students at Ratner build skills in critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration, and adaptation in an ever-growing technological, global community preparing them for their role in adult society.
- Math
- Integrated skill practice
- Math seminar
- Integrated and community-based projects
- Reading
- Literature Circles with Socratic seminar discussions building analytical skills
- Workshops that foster literacy and reading skills
- Writing
- Embedded into all academic disciplines
- Workshops that teach for understanding in grammar, syntax, and genres of writing
- Strong research writing skills built into humanities and occupations projects
- Humanities
- Projects that examine scientific discoveries and geological explorations to understand what human social life was like before and after; to understand how humans have progressed through time
- Key lessons examining history through an equitable lens with deep dive opportunities for students
- Connection to community through local experts and resources
- Projects foster skills in research, public speaking, critical thinking, and self-expression
- Occupations
- Projects that study the earth and living things, as well as how humans have impacted the earth through science and technology
- Students learn scientific principles and processes related to work being done in the community
- Real work that needs to be done, real occupations, and the science skills needed to accomplish them
- Applying skills and knowledge to tasks in the community
- Connection to community through local experts and resources
- Projects foster skills in research, scientific processes and experiments, public speaking and communication, critical thinking, and self-expression
- Co-Curriculars
- Spanish
- Art
- Music and Band
- PE