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Nurturing the Spark
Our Middle School program nurtures the spark ignited by our Lower School program, providing ongoing support for students to continue their learning journey with the same enthusiasm and love for learning. The Briarwood School recognizes adolescence as a unique time in our students’ lives from their desire for increased levels of independence, their yearning for acceptance and belonging, and their desire to have their voices heard. By offering a robust set of elective classes to choose from, alongside over 30 student-initiated & student-led clubs, Briarwood students gain the voice & choice in their education so many adolescents crave. The Briarwood School values Community through Connection across our campus, whether in the classroom or on the court, track, or field as part of one of the numerous athletic teams we offer.
A Traditional School Setting for Non-Traditional Learners
Our school directly teaches grade-level concepts connected to state standards while continuing to address the learning differences of each student. Teachers utilize evidence-based curriculum programs, while differentiating instruction throughout their lessons according to the unique learning profiles of their students.
Middle School classes remain small, consisting of no more than 10 students, and our academic groupings are based upon a student’s areas of strengths and needs. This diagnostic-prescriptive approach allows teachers to customize the learning for each student, weaving together grade-level expectations with support for skills needing remediation.
Preparing to Prepare
Students in Middle School are placed in grade-level advisory classes with a dedicated advisor to advocate for them, rather than attending homeroom. Advisory presents daily opportunities for our students to practice social and emotional learning (SEL) and executive functioning (EF) skills that will prepare them to become independent, confident, and self-aware learners. EF strategies are directly taught and embedded within content areas with consistency from one grade level to the next so that students feel prepared, organized, and knowledgeable of expectations. By the end of eighth grade, students leave Middle School well-prepared to meet the challenges of the next step of their educational journey at or beyond Briarwood.
Our goal is to cultivate independent, confident, and self-aware learners. Students gain a better understanding of their personal strengths and areas for growth, as well as identify which accommodations, strategies, and learning environments benefit them most. Executive Function strategies are directly taught and practiced across the content areas with consistency from one grade level to the next. Students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the next step of their journey at and beyond Briarwood.
Briarwood offers small class sizes consisting of no more than 10 students. Academic groupings are based on a student’s areas of strengths and needs. This diagnostic-prescriptive approach allows teachers to customize the learning for each student, weaving together grade-level expectations with support for skills needing remediation.
Teachers utilize evidence-based curriculum programs, while tailoring lessons according to the unique learning profile of each student.
There is an overall emphasis on developing positive character attributes and executive functioning skills that contribute to the student’s personal development and future success as an adult with learning differences.
The Briarwood School is committed to providing a diverse, inclusive and equitable learning experience for our students.We value the diversity of the community and will continue to celebrate, engage, reach and retain as well as explore differences in experiences based on, but not limited to, racial, socioeconomic, gender, age, country of origin, culture, sexuality, physical ability, and religious diversity amongst our staff and students. We promote acceptance of learning differences and disabilities and celebrate the many positive experiences and viewpoints that diversity brings to our school community in all of its forms. Our respect for diversity is reflected in our mission, programming, community involvement, admissions, and hiring practices.