The middle school program at ACDS includes grades six through eight. Students experience a diverse challenging curriculum developed by the faculty. Care is taken to prepare students for enrollment into any high school they choose.
The middle school teachers are philosophically dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, and social needs of adolescents. They recognize that individual attention is necessary in order to address situations that might affect classroom performance.
Life skills are taught within the curriculum and through close relationships that develop between teacher and student outside the classroom.
The instructional program is rigorous with a variety of academic challenges. By encouraging critical thinking, the teachers motivate the students to go beyond knowledge to the application concepts. The faculty promotes interdisciplinary experiences to expand learning across the curriculum and within each discipline.
The language arts program places strong emphasis on grammar, vocabulary, verbal expression, and writing skills. Students are encouraged to enhance these skills through a variety of options such as creative writing contests, exploration of literature, and public speaking.
The science program teaches experimental design, introduces and refines laboratory skills and fosters critical thinking. Experiential learning through the Aylett Outdoors program enhances students’ understanding of and respect for the environment, including local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.
The history program incorporates geography, history, civics, and current events to show how our present is affected by our past. Within the three-year program, students cover the chronological history of the United States as well as a study of our nation’s government, integrating politics, people, places, and culture.
The middle school mathematics program at ACDS is aligned with the Virginia standards of learning. This ensures that our middle school graduates are able to make a seamless transition as they continue their academic pursuits in high school and beyond. With effective class sizes, we are able to provide students with the individual attention that they deserve.
In our standard curriculum, our goal is to exceed the state guidelines. Additionally, students with a strong work ethic and a desire to excel in mathematics may be eligible to enroll in the accelerated program. The goal of the accelerated program is for students to complete Algebra I by the end of grade 8. Students who complete the ACDS accelerated mathematics program may be able to earn one high school level math credit. This program is comprehensive and rigorous. Successful completion of the accelerated mathematics program requires discipline, dedication, and significant effort from students, faculty, and parents.