Our middle school students are challenging themselves (even more) this academic year — earning high school credit and exploring advanced topics through our Advanced Studies offerings.
Students engage with these classes through independent study, working at their own pace while receiving support from EMS teachers in person and from instructors on the online platform.
Head of School Marek Beck, Ph.D., who oversees the program, says, “Our Advanced Studies program helps students further realize the infinite nature of their capabilities. By offering challenging high school– and college-level courses, we ensure our students enter secondary school well ahead of expectations.”
Students in good academic standing and endorsed by their advisor may apply to the elective. Currently, 18 students in sixth through eighth grades are actively participating in these advanced classes, which include:
- Algebra 1 – Honors: Builds a deep understanding of linear, quadratic, and exponential relationships. Students learn through discovery and application, developing the skills to break down complex challenges and demonstrate their knowledge in new situations.
- AP Psychology: Provides an overview of current psychological research methods and theories. Students explore the therapies professional counselors and clinical psychologists use and examine the reasons for normal human reactions. They study core psychological concepts, such as the brain and sense functions, and learn to gauge human reactions, gather information, and form meaningful syntheses. The equivalent of an introductory college-level survey course, AP Psychology prepares students for the AP exam and further studies in psychology or life sciences.
- Computer Science Essentials: Offers a focused curriculum around foundational computer science concepts, including computer systems, programming, networks, and data management. The course also introduces students to foundational computer science skills such as coding, troubleshooting, and being a responsible digital citizen.
- Financial Literacy: Covers earning and spending, savings and investing, credit and debt, protection of assets, and financial planning and decision-making.
- High School Spanish: Teaches students to greet people, describe family and friends, discuss hobbies, and communicate about other topics, such as home life, occupations, travel, and medicine.
- Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance: Provides the knowledge and skills students need for careers in business and marketing. Students begin exploring roles and functions that business and marketing play in a global society, develop an understanding of the marketplace, and understand product placement and promotion.
- Reading Skills and Strategies: Develops mastery in reading comprehension, vocabulary building, study skills, and media literacy, which are the course’s primary content strands.
Eighth-grader Yael P., who takes AP Psychology, was drawn to the subject after reading “Getting to Yes” by Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton. The book’s exploration of persuasion fascinated her and ignited a passion for social science. Eager for a challenge, she embraced AP Psychology as the perfect fit.
“Before students delve into abstract behavioral concepts, we learn about the physical aspect of cognition. By extensively studying parts of the brain and nervous system, I will be better prepared for high school science and anatomy courses,” Yael says, noting that she is looking forward to examining consciousness from a biological perspective, which is the next unit she will be studying.
While Yael is delving into the complexities of the human mind, sixth-grader Ari S. is taking a different academic path with Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance. Ari is eager to learn more about the strategic side of business and marketing, and he is committed to developing the discipline necessary to succeed in this rigorous course.
Dr. Beck envisions that the program will continue to set a very high bar for rigorous academics coupled with discovering budding passions that may turn into career pathways.
“Our Advanced Studies program is a testament to our middle school students’ curiosity and drive. By offering these challenging courses, we empower students to accelerate their learning and explore their passions,” says Dr. Beck.
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