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What is the advisory program like at the Middle School?
In the Middle School each student has a faculty advisor. The advisor talks with the student, the teachers and the parents, and keeps track of the student's progress during the year. The advisor helps each student recognize strengths, weaknesses, interests and hopes. Advisors help guide students with their academics and may also help students navigate and make sound decisions in their social lives. The best way for parents to find out what is happening or to ask a question about the student is to call the advisor.
How do I get in touch with my child's advisor? Teachers?
The best way for parents to find out what is happening or to ask a question about the student is to call the advisor.
How is my child placed in classes? Do they attend their classes with the same group of students?
Students attend classes with a different group of students in every subject. Each student's schedule is unique and determined by the foreign language choice, math level, and arts rotation.
Is it possible to be involved in the arts program and athletics at the Middle School?
Yes. All students participate in both the arts and the athletics program at the Middle School. In the seventh grade, arts classes meet four times per week in quarterly cycles. All seventh graders take drama, music, 2-D art, and 3-D art In the eighth grade, students are immersed in a two semester long arts courses of their choice. They select one visual arts course and one performance art.All students participate in the athletics program at BB&N. A team sport experience is offered during the three seasons as well as a non-competitive option in order to accommodate all levels of ability. The sports period takes place at the end of each school day.
How much homework is assigned?
Generally two hours of homework is assigned each night. Students also make use of up to three study halls each week and learn to manage their time quite well.
Are there any BB&N Middle School activities on the weekends?
There are no school sponsored activities on Saturdays and Sundays. We recognize that many students have town sports and activities as well as family commitments that take place on the weekends.
Where do most middle schoolers commute from? and what about transportation?
Students come from as close as down the street and as far as the south shore. Most middle school school students commute thirty minutes (or less) to school each day. We assist families with initial carpool search, connecting them with other BB&N families that live close in proximity. Some parents get together and arrange van service in their area. There is also a parent organized bus that transports middle and upper school students to the western suburbs.
How many new students enter at grade seven? Grade eight?
Twenty-five new students join the returning 55 students in the seventh grade. We also enroll five to eight new eighth graders. There are roughly 80 students in seventh grade and 90 students in eighth grade.
Do students have exams at the MS? If so, when during the year?
Exams are taken in the spring of eighth grade. Students learn how to prepare for exams and class time is used to teach good strategies for review in all subjects. These exams are used to help students gain confidence in preparing for and taking cumulative tests.
Are there any clubs or activities that run at the MS?
There are many club offerings at the middle school, and many students find one or more of interest. The club options vary from year to year and are formed by student interest. Examples of club opportunities include chess, cribbage, knitting, cooking, math, music, improvisation, community service, guitar, scrabble, and diversity.
What foreign languages are offered at the Middle School?
We offer high school level I French, Latin and Spanish. We take two years to complete this one level.
What foreign language should my child take?
This is up to the student and parents. We make available information about the language offerings in the spring before your child enrolls. It is fine to begin a new language, and some students choose to do so. Other students decide to continue with a language that they have started in elementary school. If the student shows basic competence in the language they may be able to start in the advanced seventh grade course.
Can my child take two foreign languages at the Middle School?
It is not possible to take two foreign languages at the MS. You have to choose one, which you do in both 7th and 8th grade. Beginning in ninth grade, students may start another language, and in tenth grade it is possible to enroll in two language courses.
How is 7th grade math placement determined? How do the 7th grade sections differ?
Seventh grade math placement is determined by teacher recommendation, previous class performance, and the math placement exam that is given to all entering middle school students. All seventh grade sections cover pre-Algebra curriculum; the advanced classes move at a faster pace, affording opportunities for greater exploration and more enrichment.
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