Middle School

Early adolescence is a time of enormous cognitive and social growth, and the Middle School at Catherine Cook gives students abundant opportunities to expand their knowledge, develop their leadership abilities, reflect on their goals, and imagine themselves into the future.  Our curriculum prepares students for superb high school options, teaching language arts and social studies in a combined humanities program with rigorous course work in math, laboratory science, and world languages complemented by art, music, physical education, and public speaking. Twice-weekly elective periods give students opportunities to self-direct their education and try new things, from investigating the history of rock and roll to learning to write as student journalists.  Most academic work in the Middle School is done in a completely paperless environment, with students working on individual laptop computers integrated with interactive Smart Boards through our one-to-one laptop program -- the first of its kind in Chicago independent middle schools.

The Middle School day starts with students meeting with assigned teacher/advisors in advisory groups before moving on to classes with the rest of their grade cohort.  Advisories are gender-based, mixed-age groups that meet daily for morning check-in and  share a weekly special activity period.  Advisories build community, respect, and strong relationships between students and adults, with the advisor acting as the faculty point-person for each child, liaising with other teachers to develop a full picture of each student's academic, emotional, and social growth.

Service learning and a series of signature experiences are built into the Middle School program, extending learning beyond the classroom walls and developing a strong sense of community, empathy, and increasing independence in our students.