Middle School - Grades 6-8

Facts:  Number of students - 142
             Student/teacher ratio - 19 

Our current middle school is made up of approximately 140 energized young adults finding their way on a journey from elementary school towards high school and beyond. An experienced, dedicated, and experienced Christian faculty guides that journey, encouraging our students to move towards greater independence and to take responsibility for themselves and ownership of their actions and education. Energy and excitement fill the hallways and classrooms as we meet the challenges of understanding the unique characteristics of our students, developing strategies to best address their needs.

 Academics

Many of our middle school students rank between the 80th and 90th percentiles in the IOWA tests given each year. A number of our students in grades 7 and 8 are also eligible to take early SATs and in so doing earn scores equal to or above those of college-bound seniors.

We offer a strong and exciting core curriculum that includes: Bible, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The content of these courses are presented in a variety of ways so various leaning styles of students are met. Whenever possible, hands-on activities are used to teach or supplement what is being taught. Besides these core subjects, required encore classes include Art, Keyboarding (typing), Physical education, and Spanish. In addition, some encore classes can be selected; these include Choir, Band, Orchestra, Drama, Music Theory, and Storytelling. All encore classes are taught during the school day.

Arts

Visual Arts – Art is required of all students in grades 6 and 7. In grade 8, students may choose from two levels of art or may choose to not take art.  Media including watercolors and pastels, charcoal, ceramics, clay, and wire are used. A variety of art and design disciplines and art history are introduced.

Music -

Choral - In grade 6, students are required to take Chorus for one semester, during which time a variety of music is sung. Students have opportunities to sing for small groups as well. Choir in grades 7 and 8 is an elective. Various music styles are learned and performed. In the spring a Middle School Musical is presented to the public.

Band - Grade 6 students may join a Beginning Band, which is designed for students who have not yet been taught an instrument. Students in grades 6-8 who have at least one year's experience playing a band instrument may select to join the Middle School Band.

Strings - String lessons for violin, viola, cello and bass are provided at the school for an additional cost. Those students are selected to play in an orchestra.  Visit our strings pages for more information.

Athletics

Students experienced Christian fellowship, challenges, healthy competition, and fun in WCS athletic programs. All of our teams compete with local public schools of the Dual Valley League.

Students in grade 6 may participate in youth hoop programs offered in the winter as well as community basketball clinics offered at WCS in the summer.

Participation of students in grades 7and 8 in interscholastic sports is dependent on an annually approved waiver by the MIAA. Typically students in grades 7 and 8 may try out for the following teams if they meet the eligibility requirements that are outlined in the school handbook.

Grade 7: JV or varsity cross country, JV or varsity girls’ or boys’ soccer, JV or varsity tennis, JV or varsity spring track & field, JV baseball, Middle School or JV basketball, and JV softball.

Grade 8: JV and varsity teams for: cross country, girls’ or boys’ soccer, tennis, spring tract & field, baseball, basketball, and softball.

Student Activities

In addition to athletics, students may choose to participate in extracurricular activities including:
Math Olympiad: – An international program which challenges students in grade 6-8 who are strong in math and enjoy being challenged and stretched to “think outside the box” when it comes to math.
Middle School Yearbook: This activity helps students in grade 8 to create a memory book of photos and events that take place during the year. The yearbook includes photos and articles of all students 6-8 but is designed and prepared by students in grade 8. 
Middle School Leadership Team: Our Leadership Team or Focus Team is made up of 8th grade students who help plan special days in the year in which all middle school students can participate. The Focus Team also develops and plans special service projects such as Operation Christmas Child for which all middle school students are encouraged to participate.
Pizza & Paperbacks: Book discussion groups form during the year after reading a book independently. The discussions start off with a meal of pizza. Lively discussions are encouraged and critical thinking develops.
Medieval Day: This event takes place near the end of the school year in grade 6. Following an integrated unit on the Middle Ages, the students come to school in Medieval costumes, and participate in events during the day that relate to topics of the Middle Ages. All subject areas are involved and the catapult event is a huge success. 
Animation/Claymation Activity:  This extracurricular activity is available to middle school students.