The Middle School program is characterized by personal attention and a strong academic core along for each student. Students are grouped by gender. Teachers are encouraged to use best practices from current educational research. These include differentiated instruction, cooperative learning groups, child-centered rather than teacher-directed learning, and authentic, in-depth investigation of topic areas.

The Middle School follows an American curriculum which adheres to accepted standards of middle level education consisting of an academic core of classes including language arts / reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. Classes follow an 80 minute block schedule, meeting every other day with the exception of language arts which meets daily. Students are on an exploratory wheel with French, music, art and physical education.

Our Middle School (6-8) Language Arts program offers a progressive curriculum in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students read and respond to a variety of diverse texts promoting global understanding to include poetry, fantasies, myths, short stories, plays, contemporary and historical fiction, and expository (informational) selections. Learning comprehension strategies, their understanding goes from literal to inferential, basic to insightful. Students learn strategies such as summarizing, paraphrasing, identifying main ideas, and outlining to not only comprehend informational text but to use it effectively in written and oral presentations.

Writing instruction focuses on six traits (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions) as students are guided through the writing process. Beginning with the development of a strong paragraph with a clear controlling idea, supporting details, and an effective conclusion, students progress to the construction of well organized multi-paragraph essays. Students also write poetry and narrative selections where they apply what they have learned about those genres' features during reading instruction to their own writing. The middle school language arts experience culminates with a major, multimedia research project.

Math 6 reinforces students' basic math skills as they venture into higher levels of mathematical concepts and problem solving. The emphasis is on process rather than result. Students who understand what they are doing and why they are doing it will be more successful in the long term than those who attempt to memorize.

Math 7 reinforces students' basic math skills as they begin to develop the foundation for algebra. The focus is on expressions, equations and problem solving involving the use of one or more variables. The emphasis is, as in 6th grade, on process rather than result. Active participation in class is vital to the success of a math student.

Math 8 provides students a transition between Pre-Algebra 7 and Algebra I. This course will better prepare eighth graders for their high school mathematics courses. An emphasis will be placed on many of the fundamentals of pre-algebra including: integers, rational numbers, polynomial operations, least common multiple, greatest common factor, solving equations and inequalities.

In Grade 6 Science, students will study a broad spectrum of topics in biology, chemistry, physical science, and earth science. During the course of the year students will expand on their current knowledge base by connecting new science information to their current understanding of science ideas. Students will use science tools such as the Scientific Method, microscopes, balance and note taking in science journals.

In Grade 7 Science, students will study topics in biology including Scientific Method, cells and heredity, classification of organisms, and the relationship between the body and disease. Students will continue to use science tools and expand on their current knowledge base. We will work to expand students' abilities to comprehend science reading as well as write clearly and coherently within the context of science. Students' comprehension of the curriculum will be assessed in written format, verbal format and through demonstration of science skills within labs and activities.

In Grade 8 Science, students will study basic principles of chemistry and physics. Students continue to use science tools, expand and build on their knowledge base, and work on their ability to comprehend science reading and to write clearly and coherently in the context of science.

Sixth Grade (World Geography)During this yearlong course students explore Mesopotamia to Ancient Africa. The concepts of anthropology/archaeology, human settlement, government, geography, culture/belief systems, and environmental issues are covered in the curriculum. Students will be able to understand civilizations and their development in regards to studied concepts.

Seventh Grade (World Geography)- This yearlong course allows student to study the people, places, and environments of the world today. Students strive to understand how humans interact with the environment- politically, socially, economically, geographically, and culturally- by critically analyzing the seven continents in regards to the five themes of geography.

Eighth Grade (US History)- This yearlong course begins with the study of Civil War ends with the study of the present day. Students explore the concept of adaptation throughout the history of the United States. Major concepts of study are colonial settlement, the creation of government, the seven principles of the US Constitution, westward expansion, conflicts and ideologies, slavery, and the major conflicts. Students are encouraged to analyze the development of a nation by studying present day examples and comparing them to the development of the United States.

KG General Information

Modern Knowledge Schools is pleased to offer a Kindergarten program of the highest quality. Nursery is the three-year old program, KG1 is for four-year olds, and Kindergarten (KG2) is for five year olds. Over the past few years, the Kindergarten  Department at MKS  has grown into a three year, step-building program, in which children gradually accumulate the skills they will need for the first grade. All students participate in  both the Arabic and English programs meeting daily.

In our program, the children participate in a variety of activities throughout the day that alternate between periods of structure and those of free play with education materials. Through age-appropriate activities, MKS promotes positive development in the areas of social-emotional, physical and cognitive skills, along with language acquisition.

Classrooms are arranged to promote active rather than passive learning. If you were to visit one of our classrooms, you might see children engaged in various activities from reading to play.

Working and playing with their peers in these areas encourages children to:

• be flexible in their thinking
• express themselves independently
• experiment with different roles
• work through worries in a safe context
• sort and organize objects
• make decisions through negotiation and compromise
• improvise and use materials in a symbolic way
• carry out ideas with the cooperation of others

Fostering these skills, which we believe students will need in all facets of their lives, is a primary educational goal the Kindergarten program. A positive start in these areas will help ensure future academic and social success for our students.