Middle School at AISC

As a middle school, we provide excellent learning experiences, enriching Arts, Sports & Activities programs, and a nurturing environment for our students to challenge themselves and grow.

The programs offered in grade six through eight are in alignment with our mission to foster courage, creativity, confidence and compassion. Our academic and co-curricular experiences provide students with opportunities to develop themselves as internationally-minded learners and individuals. This foundation positions students to successfully transition to schools in their home country as well as to other international schools.

Our community embraces international diversity as we consist of students from about 26 different nationalities. In this rich setting, students learn skills for collaborating and developing relationships. We embrace our host country through connections with our community interwoven into the middle school experience through our service learning program and curricular connections. Through our advisory program students explore their identity, build relationships and focus on wellbeing. Our integrated English as an Additional Language (EAL) program provides support and instruction to learn English while learning subject area content.

We strive to provide an academically challenging environment in order to foster intellectual curiosity and a sense of responsibility in our students. We offer an American curriculum with an international perspective. Our integrated core courses break down the barriers of content allowing more time and flexibility, deeper learning and closer connections with fewer teachers. Technology is seamlessly incorporated into all subject areas and students celebrate their learning with their parents with the end of the year e-portfolio presentations. Our Week Without Walls experience expose students to the host country and builds our students independence, responsibility, and takes learning outside of the classroom.

To fully educate the whole child, we are committed to cultivating lifelong learners and balanced, globally-minded citizens, who are prepared to positively contribute in a dynamic and interconnected world. Our programming supports this belief by empowering students with the opportunity to choose from a variety of elective classes during the school day and participate in co-curricular activities. Through our co-curricular activities, our students are exposed to the ideas of others by engaging with students across grade levels, India and our region.

The middle school years are a time of transition and change as students grow physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. We work as a community of faculty, staff and in partnership with parents to ensure that there is a supportive environment for this development.

We invite you to join us in this endeavor.

Jennifer Bertram
Middle School Principal

 

Middle School At-a-Glance

All middle school students take eight courses a year. Students take four core courses, one world language and physical education. Students choose two classes in visual arts, performing arts or design technology as their electives.

Students meet daily (except for Wednesdays) in advisory groups and also engage in experiential learning opportunities throughout the year. STEAM is a thriving part of our middle school program. Students engage in the inquiry cycle, design thinking and transdisciplinary learning in projects throughout the school year.

Core Classes

Our core classes include English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Math. Our courses are aligned to North American Common Core Standards. Our core classes support English Language Learners through an intensive co-teaching model. Together, teachers provide English language development support, deliver content and hold all students to high expectations for academic language development.

Elective Classes

All middle school students have the opportunity to select two classes per year. With a thriving performing arts program, students are able to choose from classes such Theater, Band or Choir where they will have the opportunity to display their confidence as they perform in our 800 seat auditorium. The Visual Arts program engages students’ creativity through the use of multiple forms of media and the Middle School Art show highlights a wide spectrum of artifacts for public view.

MS Elective Course List

Design Technology

The Design Technology Program is a hands-on, project-based course where students design and create functional products using the design thinking process. Students learn and develop design drawing, basic hand and power tool skills while using a range of materials and techniques to design and create a product. A major emphasis is on the active involvement of the students using their creativity and originality in designing and making products.

Advisory

Advisory is time for students to meet in small groups in a non-academic setting each day. Advisory activities focus on supporting a student’s social-emotional growth, wellbeing and connections with peers and adults. We believe that taking time during the school day to work together to build relationships and skills is particularly important for adolescents as they progress through middle school. The advisor also serves as a contact person for students and parents when there are questions or issues related to school.

Clubs & Activities

The co-curricular activities in the middle school are based on the interest of students. A wide variety of options span sports, performing arts, music, theater and academics. These opportunities allow AISC students to not only collaborate with peers in Chennai, but often with students from other parts of the region via American Schools in India Activities Conference, South Asia Inter-school Association, middle school Model United Nations and other opportunities.

Experiential Learning

The purpose of experiential learning in the middle school is to provide opportunities beyond the classroom that promote connections to our community, the environment, and local culture and nurture students’ self-management, self-awareness and positive relationships through applied learning and reflection. Students participate in the activities as a grade level group, through courses, or interest groups. Experiences are integral for our program to further live our mission and develop AISC Vision for Learner attributes. Week Without Walls, SEVAI, and curricular connections incorporate experiential learning into our program. The word SEVAI stands for service in Tamil. AISC has adopted the word SEVAI to represent our overall service-learning program. Assessing genuine needs, developing and implementing sustainable solutions and reflecting on personal growth and the impact of contributions are key steps of our service-learning program.


Measured Success

AISC administers the MAP Assessment to students in grades 2-10 (Math, Reading, and Language Use), and grades 3-10 (Science), including all non-native English language speakers from the advanced beginner level.

 

Inquiry

Through STEAM and Project-Based Learning, students engage in the inquiry cycle. STEAM provides opportunities for student design, creativity and problem-solving. Teachers use Project Based Learning throughout the curriculum to engage students in extended inquiry and make connections across disciplines.

 

Middle School Stories