Middle School students have a unique set of needs both academically and socially. While academics are always stressed at Washington Academy, our teaching staff also focus on providing more positive behavior support systems to ensure that students know what is expected of them in the classroom and also outside the classroom during field trips and other activities. POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORTS Washington Academy employs the PBS model for behavior rewards and social/emotional progress. ACADEMICS At the Middle School level, students course of study is much more advanced and requires deeper levels of critical thinking and understanding than an elementary level curriculum. We have developed targeted curriculum maps in all subject content areas to directly align with the State Standards, but also to provide more academic support to students. The advantage to Washington Academy’s curriculum maps is that students will not only be exposed to the same textbooks that they would be utilizing in their public school district, but we also pull together materials from the web, teacher-made and also technology solutions. Over the last several decades, Washington Academy has been preparing Middle School students for the intense academic pressure of a NJ High School curriculum. ART Middle School students also participate in the Art program at Washington Academy as part of their regular weekly academic schedule. Students continue to learn how to express themselves appropriately in the Art Studio under the guidance of an Art Teacher. The Art program provides students with one more way to exhibit positive behavior in the school setting. When students finish art projects it also improves self-confidence, self-esteem and self-image. Also some research has shown that students who participate in an Art program may see improved success in other academic subject areas. Arts students develop skills needed by the 21st Century workforce such as: Critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication, teamwork and more. READING PROGRAM Washington Academy has developed a strong reputation throughout the State for its unique and successful reading program. Students enrolled in this program are exposed to individual and small group instruction in the foundations of literacy, the building blocks of reading, comprehension and critical thinking. The reading program uses both teacher-to-student interaction as well as web-based assessment to track progress over the course of the year. Many of our students over the years have started the reading program with limited reading skills and have by the time they left Washington Academy were confident and stronger readers. Also students that have entered the reading program have seen improvement in other academic subjects as a result. Students are eligible for placement in a wide variety of literacy programs to fulfill their IEPs. Programs offered range from parallel instructional programs offered at the public school level to those specially designed to meet remedial and developmental needs. FITNESS Washington Academy has a complete Fitness Center designed to meet the fitness needs of our Middle School students. Fitness is part of the Physical Education department. The Fitness Center is equipped with Life Fitness gym equipment for Core Circuit Training, two elipticals and two stationary bikes. Research has shown that people that exercise can reduce anxiety, and also boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Student fitness skills will be posted on our Wall-of-Fame, so that each student is recognized for their effort and hard work. STATE TESTING PREP Washington Academy continues to provide State Testing Prep for the NJ ASK in the middle school as we did in the Elementary grade levels. Testing prep gives students an opportunity to be exposed to the NJ ASK test, so that they can become familiar with the style of questions asked, the types of information being assessed and also developing test taking strategies. The purpose of providing Test Prep is also to help students cope with the anxiety associated with taking standardized tests. TRANSITION Starting in the 7th Grade, students enrolled at Washington Academy are automatically entered into the transition program. Students are assessed based on aptitude and skills as to different directions they should take their individualized education plan toward goals toward either post-secondary educational environments or into workplace settings. The goal of the transition program in middle school is to present students with the wide array of opportunities that are out there for them in both the global world and in colleges and universities. For More Info: TRANSITION PROGRAM