Middle School (Grades 7 & 8)
The strength of Ratner’s Middle School program is our commitment to the individual and to ensuring that each individual can be a successful part of the larger community.
Students find themselves at The Ratner Montessori School. We know that our students have to leave us prepared to succeed in high school and beyond. Many of our students go on to successful academic careers in independent schools in the area including Hawken, Gilmour, University School, Lawrence, and Laurel. Other students go on to public high schools in Orange, Shaker Heights, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Beachwood and other local districts. Ratner Middle School students grow into self-confident, curious learners, and when they go to their next school, they shine brightly.
In addition to core subjects, students have the opportunity to participate in a selection of elective classes.
The goals of elective classes are:
- To nurture a student’s special interest or talent
- To offer service learning experiences that benefit the student and others
- To inspire self-motivation and responsibility
- To foster cross-divisional or grade grouping relationships
- To build community
- To provide extra time for work completion or academic support (i.e. study halls or work periods)
While unscheduled periods for students vary depending on other academic scheduling, most students are able to participate in at least one elective activity per week.
Here is a sample of some of the ways students have been engaged in electives:
- Helping Primary students in Science, PE, and classroom projects
- Working with our music teacher to learn to play a new instrument
- Learning how to bake
- Planting a Butterfly Garden
- Learning coding fundamentals
- Directing and producing the weekly Raptor News Program
- And of course, using the unscheduled times as Work Periods to help manage time!
