MacDowell Montessori’s adolescent curriculum promotes the acquisition of intellectual, practical and leadership skills. Challenging academics, enhanced by service projects, travel and physical activity, ensure that students are well prepared for the social and intellectual demands of high school and beyond. In this plane of development, students become “humanistic explorers,” interested in the quality of society for themselves and other people. At this level, young people develop a respect for and commitment to a code of civility.
During their adolescent years, students read with fluency, accuracy and expression while connecting literary themes to personal experiences. They also evaluate materials from different sources for accuracy and value. Language arts lessons equip students with the ability to judge effective writing and presenting create multimedia research projects and exhibit strong writing skills. As they approach graduation, adolescents explore all strands of mathematics while justifying their strategies and using appropriate mathematical terms as they prepare for higher level mathematics in high school. Science instruction focuses on important scientific events throughout history. In order to fully grasp new concepts, students are encouraged to pose questions and predict results. The U.S. government is discussed in greater detail as students continue to examine our nation’s history during social studies lessons. Students are introduced to a market economy and discuss various social issues. In addition, they compare the modern world to ancient and medieval civilizations.