Middle School

Welcome to The Out-of-Door Academy's Middle School.

The belief that an exceptional education must address the needs of the whole child has guided The Out-of-Door Academy for over 80 years. We understand that adolescence is not easy to navigate, but the program, people, and support at The Out-of-Door Academy make it possible for students to mature into responsible young people who thrive academically, athletically, and artistically.

The key to our success in the Middle School is simple. Our dedicated Middle School faculty engages students in a thoughtful program that addresses the academic, social, and emotional well-being of all students. Academically, our liberal arts curriculum engages students by leveraging ideas and encouraging students to explore connections. For example, the English and history curricula are woven together so novels read in English will highlight and expand upon the events studied in history. We do not limit learning to the classroom - the culminating experience for the seventh grade life science course is a marine biology trip to the Florida Keys, and the capstone experience for eighth grade history is a trip to Washington, D.C. Students in physical science class will find themselves conducting experiments that involve inline skating or dropping eggs from an altitude. The Middle School is abuzz with activity, and our students are well-prepared for the academic rigor and intellectual demands of the Upper School.

As any parent of a Middle School student knows, it takes persistence and patience to work with children at this stage in their lives. It also takes energy and enthusiasm. These are a few of the characteristics that make the Middle School faculty exceptional. Our teachers know their subjects, but more significantly, they understand that important life lessons are learned beyond the classroom's walls. Accordingly, our Middle School teachers serve as coaches, mentors, and advisors. Our teachers offer a broad array of athletic, artistic, and community service activities that round out the Out-of-Door experience. A strong advisory program helps guide students - and parents - through the Middle School years. The culminating effect is that children spend their time at Out-of-Door with teachers who care about children and nurture the growth of the whole child.

The best way to learn about our school is to come to campus and see us in action. I encourage you to visit. Until then, please explore our website to learn more about our program. I appreciate your interest in Out-of-Door, and I welcome you to our school.

Sincerely,
J. Bruce Latta
Head of Middle and Upper Schools

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