Middle School
Your child’s time in the Middle School is a bridge between the elementary years and the rigors of the Upper School experience. It’s a time for growth and change, and it prepares your son or daughter for the challenges - both personal and academic - that lie ahead.
An emerging adolescent merits special attention. We provide personal guidance through programs that involve you, your child, and the teacher-advisor in an ongoing mentoring and counseling relationship. This individual attention builds respect for self and others while helping to strengthen the bonds between teacher, student, and parent.
Our highly professional faculty teaches critical thinking skills and solid study habits. Our outstanding academic program features interdisciplinary activities that let children integrate the new abilities they have discovered and the new knowledge they have acquired.
When you finally watch your son or daughter cross that bridge to “high school,” you will see in them a true readiness. It is a readiness that, as a parent, you will be glad of; even if it’s one you might not share.
Philosophy and Goals
The Detroit Country Day School motto, "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano" (A Sound Mind in a Sound Body) reflects the philosophy of the Middle School. We believe the adolescent child has special needs that must be addressed in a positive, exciting and challenging educational environment. Our departmentalized curriculum, which is presented through a diversity of teaching styles and enhanced through interdisciplinary units, stresses active student involvement in academics, interscholastic athletics, physical education and the arts.
We offer to students the opportunity to explore a wide variety of personal interests in an extensive activity program. As an extension of the family, we aspire to maintain close parent-faculty-student relationships; we have designed advisor-advisee and adolescent programs to provide guidance and support for the developing child. Our caring faculty is dedicated to meeting the needs of the whole child. In addition, our faculty helps develop character through a disciplined, structured, and dignified setting with an exposure to traditional values.
The goals of the Middle School are to develop and promote:
- a positive self-image in order to cope with the many emotional, social and physical changes inherent to this age group;
- greater individual responsibility, leadership skills, and social and moral awareness;
- creative, responsible and independent thinkers;
- organizational, problem-solving, and study skills to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge in the content areas;
- a positive well-being through such programs as physical education, health awareness, and competitive athletics;
- proper student deportment and respect for others;
- an enthusiasm for learning and intellectual curiosity;
- an academic and study skills foundation in preparation for the Upper School curriculum;
- well-rounded individuals through a variety of experiences beyond the academic classroom;
- a sensitivity to the effect of human activities on the environment;
- an appreciation for the fine and performing arts;
- proficiency in the utilization of computer technology.
See images of the Middle School here.
