Middle School
The Adolescent’s Quest ~ Valorization
Middle school-age students are in a phase of valorization, a term Montessori uses to describe an adolescent’s search for personal identity and internalization of core values. Understanding this part of development is essential to guiding youth to find their sense of purpose in the world. At Elizabeth Academy, we recognize that our students are going through this process and need the guidance of parents and teachers more than ever. They seek to find meaning and connection with parents, teachers, the community, and their peers. Our secondary program is designed to guide adolescents through that process.
Our Middle School consists of a 7th/8th grade cohort. The curriculum rotates in two-year cycles so that subject matter is fresh each year for each student. Core academic subjects are divided into two main branches: Humanities and STEM, subdivided further into Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science, and branching out even deeper into more specific academic courses and electives. Beyond that, the core academic courses are embellished with interdisciplinary content in all of the arts (visual art, music, dance, theater/fim) as well as Electives in Life Prep and Experiential education.
10:1
student-to-teacher ratio
5 hours
of individual skill building, executive functioning support, and life prep, portfolio/college/career planning each week
50 hours
of service completed by each student throughout the year
Humanities Curriculum
Language Arts
We believe that language is the seed and sustenance of all learning. Complete human happiness hinges upon language development, as it is essential to unlocking all other subjects. Our Middle School curriculum emphasizes conceptual knowledge, skill building, and life skills, underscoring the importance of communication and social engagement across subjects. Each year, our instruction is guided by a thematic approach using “hub books” or community books—classic, grade-level texts aligned with the annual theme. This integration of literature ensures a cohesive and engaging learning experience that supports both academic and personal growth.
Social Studies
The Humanities give purpose and meaning to the sciences. Social studies expand upon language courses, infusing art, culture, history and more in an interdisciplinary way. We focus on three components: Conceptual Knowledge, Skill Building, and Application to broaden students’ overall understanding of the Humanities. These components aim to develop students’ comprehension, critical thinking, and communication skills. Each year, instruction is guided by “hub books” or community books—classic, grade-level texts aligned with the annual theme. These texts work in tandem with the social studies curriculum to enhance students’ understanding of historical and social contexts, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive educational experience.
Experiential Extensions in Humanities
Learning doesn’t stop outside the classroom at Elizabeth Academy. We believe in providing students with enriching experiences and extensions that deepen the student’s understanding of the humanities content and curriculum. We provide electives including journalism, foreign language (Spanish), creative writing, theater, and more. Students have the opportunity to apply the skills and concepts they learn in the humanities classrooms and see them in real life in their monthly publications of the school newspaper, going on culturally enriching field trips that tie in to the humanities curriculum like local dance and theater performances and museums. Through our experiential extensions, learning comes to life!
STEM Curriculum
Mathematics
At Elizabeth Academy, our math instruction emphasizes individualized curriculum and skill building, with a focus on practical life skills and real-world application. The Middle School math curriculum thrives off of a balance of practical life skills, as well as continued academic growth. This approach ensures that students engage in tasks tailored to their needs, supporting their growth and understanding of math in everyday contexts. Students are grouped so that every individual is challenged and also prepared to advance beyond high school with the math skills and requirements needed for their individual post secondary college and/or career experiences.
Sciences
Our Montessori-inspired science curriculum has proven itself to be outstanding, as our students consistently display high test scores in science, across ability levels, year after year. Creativity and critical thinking skills are expanded as the science program emphasizes community learning as well as individualized instruction. Students engage in hands-on, developmentally appropriate tasks and small group activities. This approach ensures that students experience practical, real-world applications of scientific concepts. Students acquire a deep understanding of scientific principles, develop a love of the process, and engage in activities that foster curiosity and discovery.
Experiential Extensions in STEM
Science, technology, engineering, math, oh my! The connections and applications of hands-on learning in these areas are limitless in a secondary Montessori setting. At Elizabeth Academy, we offer courses like The Science of Farm To Table where students learn and grow their own garden, as well as the science behind cooking. We also offer a Microeonomy class- teaching students financial literacy and budgeting skills while engaging in creative outlets to create unique artistic products through our school store, The Elizabees. Students have many opportunities to learn in nature, explore the richness of Utah’s landscape, and participate in field experiences that provide direct interaction with the content students are learning.
These courses expose students to College, Career and Technical Education opportunities early on in their secondary education. These STEM experiential extensions allow students to apply skills and concepts they learn in the classroom to real-world situations, and begin expanding their minds to different career opportunities that they could further develop and explore in their High School career.
- Microeconomy
- Microeconomy class immerses students in real-world economic principles. Students run a student-led business- from product ideation and creation to sales and financial management.
- Farm to Table
- Learners explore the entire food production process, from growing and harvesting produce to preparing and cooking meals, integrating practical skills with an understanding of sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
The Arts and Therapies
Integrated learning naturally occurs in a Montessori classroom and is enhanced at Elizabeth Academy with the assistance of enrichment specialists. We have the resources to accommodate individual development, expression, and need through artistic integration and sensory learning. Students at the secondary level choose from an array of elective options, taught by our enrichment specialists. These include: visual art, music, dance, theater, film studies, research, reading, and physical education. Private therapies available include: speech, music, occupational and physical therapy.
The Arts
Elizabeth Academy infuses the arts into everything we do. We believe Montessori is the art of education and inclusive best practices require the arts to reach all students and creatively expand their knowledge into academic core concepts and other growth areas of life. At all levels in Primary and Secondary school we are cognizant of the basic four arts disciplines: Visual Art, Music, Dance and Theatre. We cultivate sequential learning of art concepts in arts classes and allow the students individual creative expression. Collectively in Secondary, we combine to showcase our academic projects and arts learning in end of year plays, a film festival, art gallery and musical performances.
Skills learned in the arts are transferable across numerous subject areas and professions, making The Arts a vital component of a well-rounded education. Through The Arts, students can earn elective credits that contribute to graduation requirements, while also preparing for college and potential careers in creative industries. The hands-on nature of these courses allows students to explore their passions deeply and meaningfully, ensuring they are prepared for the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.
Therapies ~ Integrated and Private
Our inclusive program is further enriched with the support of highly experienced and professional private therapists. Whether private therapy is recommended or not, the support of these professionals is felt by ALL students in the classroom as they integrate their professional expertise naturally into the classroom. For students requiring extra academic or other support at Elizabeth Academy, we recommend specific private therapies that are also naturally integrated into the classroom studies as therapists collaborate with classroom teachers.
Students needing additional private or semi-private therapies may contract with our therapy providers for private therapy support. We collaborate weekly with interventionists and private therapists to coordinate in leveling classroom lessons and implement individual goals in all settings; in the classroom, at home, or on their own world stage. Private therapies at Elizabeth Academy secondary include: Speech Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT). We also have outside sources for: Visual Art Therapy and Academic Therapy.
The Arts
Art (visual art, theater, music, and dance) provides students with a natural way to communicate understanding of concepts and ideas and develop creativity and design skills that can be applied to any number of subject areas and professions.
Microeconomy
Microeconomy class immerses students in real-world economic principles. Students run a student-led business- from product ideation and creation to sales and financial management.
Farm to Table
Learners explore the entire food production process, from growing and harvesting produce to preparing and cooking meals, integrating practical skills with an understanding of sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
Meet Our Teachers
Elena Suslov
Department Head, Language Arts See Bio: Elena Suslov
Britta McAllister
Secondary Language Arts, Humanities See Bio: Britta McAllister
Sean Strickland
Secondary History See Bio: Sean Strickland
Sam Pulsipher
Secondary History See Bio: Sam Pulsipher
Kim Norman
Secondary Science See Bio: Kim Norman
Shana Thomas
Secondary Interventionist, Math See Bio: Shana Thomas
Nick Yonkee
Secondary Math See Bio: Nick Yonkee
Upcoming Events
Academic Calendar & Admissions
We invite parents to review the Elizabeth Academy enrollment process, then schedule an in-person tour to meet faculty, explore our campus, and have all of your personal questions answered. Visit our Parent Resources page to view the academic calendar, newsletter, family portal, parent handbook, and more.
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