Strong academics begins with a team of knowledgeable, qualified, and caring teachers who are called specifically to the middle school level. This team understands that the level of academic achievement that students attain by eighth grade has a large impact on their college and career readiness. The experiences in each middle school classrooms create pathways that cultivate the passions for lifelong learning. Therefore, in 6th – 8th grade, LCS students embrace a curriculum that with three elements that are integrally connected: rigor, relevance, and relationship.

Rigorous Learning –
We seek to prepare student to have the competence to think in complex and critical ways as they exhibit humble confidence through our Instrumental Enrichment program (IE). During IE teachers will work with each student to increase his or her capacity to think and learn. This approach presses beyond the teaching of content to introducing instruments that will help students grow in brain function by developing and strengthening the cognitive strategies necessary for a student to be a more efficient, independent learner and problem solver.

Our math curriculum emphasizes equipping students to problem solve while focusing on student development of skills, concepts, processes, and the ability to “think about their thinking”. Students have the competence to think in complex ways as they engage in increasingly complex ways to apply knowledge. We want our students to be able to problem solve, reason, and apply the skills. This approach requires higher level thinking skills. We will still build factual understanding but this extends concepts and moves students from concrete to abstract thinking.

Our guided literacy program is embedded in a workshop model that journeys through a variety of genres. The reader’s workshop guides students to deeper understanding and reflection through small group, text-based discussion meetings based on the student’s access needs.

Our science curriculum promotes the exploration of natural curiosities and intellectual pursuits with “hands-on” engagement through active learning.

Relevant Learning –
The seamless integration of faith and learning is a critical component in our pursuit of academic excellence. Through Faith Learning Integration in each course, we assist each student in a purpose-finding process as they are given opportunities to see connections in God’s created order. We help students to flourish, to be excited about learning, and to act upon that desire to make a difference. Also, our January Term (J-Term) program helps students to discover new interests, explore creatively, and develop a new motivation for learning. For the first few weeks in January, students participate in dynamic classes that are exploratory, integrative, and relevant.

Because LCS Middle School is composed of a spectrum of diverse learners at varying levels, we make available a variety of programs that provide additional helps.

• The Learning Lab offers academic support services and accommodations to students who have diagnosed learning struggles. A faculty specialist with expertise in a broad range of subject areas is available to provide students with a more personalized learning experience.

• Educational Therapy is available to identify and assess learning needs as well as implement individual educational therapy plans through the NILD program.

• Study Skills instruction for sixth graders which include learning strategies that strengthen reading comprehension, summarization skills (taking notes), the use of graphic organizers, and effective testing taking habits

Middle school is a time of exploration and discovery, a time when students are “figuring things out.”

During this transitional time, LCS empowers students with the resources of technology as it provides for safe, responsible, and wise use of technology. The LCS classroom is structured so that every student in the middle school uses a laptop as a tool for learning. This promotes the use of digital technology to create stronger, faster, and deeper avenues for research; promote collaboration; develop innovative products and the communication of information. The teacher’s task is to move the student from knowledge to understanding and ultimately to application for kingdom purposes.

Every student has their own computer and all classrooms have LCD projectors. Every student is provided with the necessary software (Microsoft Office 365) and access to a learning management system. LCS uses CANVAS for our Learning Management System, which is used by many colleges and universities. For the parent, each child’s information is readily available at any time through our ParentsWeb. This includes the posting of the student’s grades, lesson plans, attendance record, and parent announcements.

Incredible activities await students each year.

• The “Film Fest” in the Centre Auditorium

• Skating

• Parties at The Corner Park

• Field trips to the Cranbrook Institute of Science, The Henry Ford Museum and Holocaust Memorial Center

• The 8th Grade US History Adventure to Gettysburg, PA, Washington, DC and Mount Vernon, VA.

• The Winter Formal Luncheon that help eighth graders navigate in a formal setting and celebrate their progress as they look forward to the transition into high school.

Servant leadership opportunities:

• National Junior Honor Society

• Student Council

• Student Chaplains

• Middle School Worship Team

STEM Programming

• Various classes offered, including immersive opportunities during iXplore J-Term

• Summer Enrichment Camps for LCS Students

Athletics

• Athletics at Lenawee Christian School is an extension of the teaching and training that takes place within the classroom. We believe teams and competition are a training ground for spiritual formation, character and life skill development. Competition places student-athletes, coaches, and parents in a situation where their character is revealed. As this character is revealed, we can celebrate the positive Christ centered responses and continue to learn through accountability to submit our will and way to God within the environment of competition.

• Middle School athletic teams are focused on participation and engaging as many students as possible to experience being on a team. Stronger players have opportunities to excel and lead while modelling skills for newer players. New players are encouraged to participate and work on essential fundamentals of the sport.

• LCS is currently an independent school not connected directly to any specific league for Middle School sports. We play various public schools and other private schools in the area. Coaches are focused on engaging each athlete within a 3 Dimensional Coaching model which focuses on teaching proper fundamentals, influencing through healthy motivation, and inspiring the heart of each student-athlete to strive toward their full potential in life and within competition.

To learn more about our athletic programs, visit www.LCSCougars.com.

Fine Arts

• Middle School students are able to participate in band or choir during the school day. In addition to their concerts, students can work toward participating in Solo and Ensemble and MSBOA Festivals.

• Students have the opportunity to learn the basic elements of art and design and celebrate their talents and personalities as they express themselves through a variety of mediums.

• Opportunities exist for students to gain experience in the performing arts through a drama elective during the school day as well as an iXplore elective.

• Middle school students are invited to audition for LCS’s theatrical productions depending on the seasonal play and/or musical needs.

• In the media arts, yearbook offers an opportunity to learn design, publishing techniques, copy-writing, and editing while producing a creative, innovative yearbook which records middle school memories.