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Middle School
6th Grade through 8th Grade

At The Summit Preparatory School in Springfield, MO, our 6th grade through 8th grade Middle School program embraces the progressive tenets of learning, including critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, communication, collaboration, character, and citizenship. 

Our junior high students learn in a collaborative classroom environment with teachers who are experts in their fields. Our middle school faculty have over 50 years of combined experience in education and hold advanced degrees in teaching, STEM Education, American History, and mathematics as well as degrees in English, business, art, music, Spanish, and physical education. As the only fully-accredited independent private school in the greater Springfield area, The Summit strives to provide the highest quality education possible to support all students on their path to success.

Middle School Program Academic Philosophy

Through deliberate education of the whole child and a commitment to academic excellence, The Summit’s Middle School program challenges its 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to become responsible researchers and respectful communicators in the classroom, in the Springfield community, and beyond. Students learn to evaluate sources of reliable information and engage in the exchange of diverse perspectives. The Middle School program embraces the idea of learning by doingwith its progressive, inquiry-based model focused on student-led and project-based learning and a challenging, integrated curriculum.

Through elective opportunities, students are able to choose hands-on coursework based on their interests, including explorations in STEM, culinary arts, theatre performance, and more. Field trips provide experiential learning connected to curricular content and embrace the Springfield community and its history through partnerships with local organizations. These experiences enhance learning and inform student-centered project development. Students practice leadership in and out of the classroom, and many choose to serve on the Student Council to enhance their Middle School experience.

Our junior high students learn in a collaborative classroom environment with teachers who are experts in their fields. Our middle school faculty have over 50 years of combined experience in education and hold advanced degrees in teaching, STEM Education, American History, and mathematics as well as degrees in English, business, art, music, Spanish, and physical education. As the only fully-accredited independent private school in the greater Springfield area, The Summit strives to provide the highest quality education possible to support all students on their path to success.

Progressive Education Goals for Middle School Students

  • Be able to evaluate sources of reliable information and utilize them well
  • Be communicators, collaborators, critical thinkers, and creative problem solvers
  • Understand and value a growth mindset
  • Participate in the exchange of diverse perspectives
  • Practice self-assessment and ownership of learning

Elective and Extracurricular Opportunities

Through elective opportunities, students are able to choose hands-on coursework based on their interests, including explorations in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), culinary arts, theatre performance, and more. Field trips provide further experiential learning connected to curricular content while helping our junior high students embrace the Springfield community and its history through partnerships with local organizations. These extracurricular experiences enhance learning and inform student-centered project development. Students practice leadership in and out of the classroom, and many choose to serve on the Student Council to enhance their Middle School experience.

6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Course Descriptions

From math to science and from music to PE, learn more about the academic goals and curricula of each available course in our Middle School program. Find course descriptions for our 6th-grade-level courses using the first link below and descriptions for our 7th-and-8th-grade-level courses using the second link.

Strategic Planning: Upper School Initiative

The Summit’s 2020 Strategic Plan identified areas of focus to evolve and enrich programming for grades 6-12:

  • Integrate and grow mission-driven classroom and auxiliary program offerings with innovative curriculum
  • Strengthen and support the Upper School program for increased collaboration and enhanced programming to meet student needs and enrollment growth
  • Enhance community and belonging within the school among students, faculty, administration, families, trustees, and other supporters

Use the link blow to read more about The Summit’s Upper School Initiative 2021.

Discover The Upper School Blog

As with our Early Learner and Lower School programs, The Upper School faculty at The Summit are excited and proud to share our Middle School students’ achievements and milestones throughout their academic journeys with their parents and prospective Summit families. Use the button below to explore the most recent blog entries and check back regularly during the school year for even more news.

Middle School Snapshots

Middle School Quick Facts (6th Grade - 8th Grade)

Grade Levels

6th-8th

class size

Capped at 18

Class times

8:45 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Faculty

10

Dress Code

Polo top with Summit logo and khaki or navy bottoms

Technology

1:1

ACT Average

28.5

Graduation Rate

100%

Contact Us

We’d love to have your Middle School student experience The Summit difference. As the only full-accredited independent private school in the Springfield, MO area, we are happy to share what sets our academic environment apart from the rest. 

FIll out the form below to schedule a tour of our school, to ask a question about our Middle School program, or to request more information about The Summit. We look forward to meeting you!

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