Ada Christian School Middle School consists of students and teachers in grades six – eight. The middle school is committed to the following principles of effective middle school instruction:
- Nurture each child as uniquely made in God's image;
- Offer a variety of learning opportunities that encourage students to learn by doing;
- Build community within classrooms, with a variety of teachers;
- Offer interdisciplinary events and projects that help students connect what they have learned and effectively communicate it with others;
- Offer community building events that build self-esteem and give opportunities for students to learn by serving others and by sharing with each other: weekly chapels, fall retreat, three-day service project, Exploratory Week, class trips.
| Through Christian Education "students are to understand God's truth with their minds, they are to believe God's truth with their hearts, they are to do God's truth with their total being. … Leading the student into responsive discipleship." |
| Excerpt from the Christian Educators' Journal, December 1998. |
Ada Christian is committed to academic excellence. We provide a comprehensive curriculum taught from a Christian perspective, integrating Biblical principles into all areas of learning.
In addition to the core subjects of language arts, math, science and social studies, Ada Christian has specialized instructors in each of the following areas: Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Our Bible curriculum is published by Christian Schools International. Media center and technology instruction is also offered.
Middle school specific subjects taught:
- Math: sixth grade math, seventh grade math, pre-algebra, algebra
- Science: physical (sixth), life (seventh) and earth (eighth) in a lab oriented classroom.
- Social studies: Western Civilization (sixth), US history (seventh and eighth)
- Language arts: grammar, literature, spelling, writing, speech
Interdisciplinary projects:
- Sixth grade World Fair: a major writing project focused on countries of the world, with displays and presentations by the students
- Seventh grade Paideia: a major paper in the form of a biography of a famous person, fully cited, with annotated bibliography
- Eighth grade National History Day: a major paper on a historical topic, fully cited, with annotated bibliography, plus a display and oral defense of the topic before a judge.
Technology:
The computer lab and portable laptops are used in a variety of ways in classes, integrated into the units taught. Students use the computers for research and for creation of products.
Middle school students also participate in the following:
- Bible class (four times weekly)
- Art class (once weekly)
- PE class (twice weekly)
- Band or orchestra (three times weekly)
- Choir (twice weekly)
- Spanish (twice weekly)
Educational Support Services are provided through an on site resource specialist and para-professionals in conjunction with the Christian Learning Center. Social Work services are provided through a grant with Pine Rest. Forest Hills School District provides speech, physical and occupational therapy to our students upon referral. Vision and Hearing screenings are done by Kent County Health Department.
Weekly Gathering Times and Chapels are specially designed times of prayer, praise and worship for the students and teachers.
Curriculum enhancements are arranged to complement specific areas of study at each grade level. These include field trips, fine arts programs, and guest speakers.
Service Projects are scheduled to provide opportunities for students to give of themselves in service to the community.
A Fall Retreat, Exploratory Week and a Spring Dinner Theatre are some special activities that are planned throughout the year, geared to build unity among the Middle School students.