The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Welcome To Middle School

A Message From The Principal

Welcome to the 2004-2005 school year. The middle school years cover a remarkable period in human development, and the faculty, counselors, staff and administrators and I have a deep and strong commitment to working with children in this age group. We look forward to working together with you to establish a positive partnership as we support our students.

The middle school at Lab is a safe and nurturing environment, one in which students are encouraged to become active, lifelong learners and caring people. While this process is gradual and varies from student to student, we are eager for children to slowly move from a dependent relationship with parents and teachers to one of independence and self-motivation.

It has been well documented that middle school students represent a unique group of learners with diverse and at times complicated needs. Developmentally, they are growing intellectually, socially, emotionally, morally, and physically, and our middle school programs and curricula are responsive to those aspects of early adolescence. Interdisciplinary learning, the advisory program, varied methods of instruction and exploratory programs all support the distinctiveness of early adolescence, while at the same time helping to strike an appropriate balance between rigor and nurture. Simultaneously, those components also allow us to remain true to the progressive traditions of John Dewey and the notion of learning by doing.

This Handbook has been created as a guideline to help acquaint you with useful facts and information on a variety of issues pertinent to the Middle School. We ask that you please take the time to review this book with your child so that s/he can begin the new school year feeling confident and informed. We also ask that you help us accomplish our goals by carefully abiding by the standards set forth in the Handbook. Middle school students value and understand consistency, and with an approach between school and home that is understood by all, there will be less anxiety as students move through what can be a difficult period in their lives. Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions about the guidelines in this Handbook.

I am looking forward to a very exciting year filled with happy and productive young adolescents.

Alexis S. Wright
Middle School Principal