MIDDLE SCHOOL

What A Middle School Can Be

11:1

SMALL CLASS SIZES

Top 10%

GROUP PERFORMANCE IOWA TEST, 2022

100%

ADMITTED TO FIRST CHOICE HIGH SCHOOL, 2022

Where Students Care

Middle Schoolers often get a bad wrap. At AHB Community School we counter that narrative. Our middle school students are the pride of our program! Smart, confident and kind, these students continue to show up daily with gratitude and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

What Sets AHB’s Middle School Program Apart

Private middle school students doing science experiment.

Student Engagement

With age comes more freedom — and responsibility. Middle school students in our micro school are active participants in their learning journey.

In Theme, we dive deep into quarterly social studies and science topics. Our middle school students help choose these topics. Research opportunities further cater to student interest. Project-based learning means there is often choice in how to demonstrate skills. Students are coached to self advocate and learn to take responsibility for their learning. This level of engagement prepares our students not only for the high school of their choice, but also for a lifetime of learning.

Academics at AHB

Example of project based learning at homeschool coop.

Rigor without Stress

AHB middle schoolers meet high academic expectations in a flexible, nurturing environment. Our small class sizes and progressive model challenge students without the pressure of high stakes grades or testing.

Students build confidence through genuine achievement. Skill building in math, reading and writing aligns with TEKS objectives. Theme studies weave science and social studies through the curriculum. Students work both independently and in small groups on inquiry-based projects. These projects challenge them to think critically and creatively. We aim to ask questions and solve problems — skills that bring success in high school and beyond.

Social Emotional Learning at AHB

Four middle school students discuss reading at table.

A Place of Belonging

The school community is a cornerstone in any child’s life. At AHB, we work hard to make our micro school a happy place where even our oldest students find a great sense of pride and belonging.

We do this this by prioritizing social-emotional needs and actively building community. This takes time. Our small class sizes and flexible program allows teachers to slow down and do this important work. Kindness, respect, and inclusion are actively coached as the campus norms. Group projects teach students to work together. Academic achievements and presentations build confidence. Curriculum that connects to the wider world boosts compassion. Our students leave us prepared for a life of community engagement!

Community Life at AHB

Students work on science project outdoors at table.

A Full Life

There’s more to life than school and work. At AHB, we want our students to have a full lives. This requires balance.

AHB middle schoolers work hard, but also have plenty of time for friends, family, rest . . . and play! Our part time schedule means a 4-day core week AND fewer hours in school each day. The core, instructional program runs Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 2:30 pm. Middle Schoolers also have an optional Friday Extension and before and after school classes. Our schedule covers the core academic classes and allows plenty of time to pursue hobbies outside of school. All this without packed schedules or family burnout! The result is joyful students who retain their enthusiasm for school and learning!

Learning in Less Hours

AHB Middle School Curriculum

Math

As an accredited private school, our mathematics scope and sequence aligns with the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). Middle School students have the opportunity to earn high school credit in Algebra 1 and Geometry. At all levels, logic and problem solving are stressed alongside skill development. Students practice real world application through class projects and competitions such as The Stock Market Game (regional winners 20/21 and 19/20). Teachers have autonomy to pull from various resources to best meet the needs of their class.

Language Arts

In Language Arts, reading and writing objectives align with the TEKS. Students practice analytical reading and composition skills that prepare them for the high school of their choice. Texts and writing assignments often tie in with Theme units. For example, students might read The Book Thief while studying World War 2. They may write a research paper about the James Webb Space Telescope when studying astronomy. Teachers have autonomy to pull from various resources to best meet the needs and interests of their class. Texts include nonfiction along with classical and contemporary fiction.

Theme: Science & Social Studies

At AHB science and social studies are taught in rotational units of study that we call Theme. Theme topics change each quarter. Whether learning about Cells & Genetics or the American Civil Rights Movement, the class values process over content, and depth over breadth. Group work and project-based learning bring the material to life. Theme topics are typically chosen from E.D. Hirsch’s CORE Knowledge Curriculum. Again, teachers have great flexibility in choosing or creating curriculum to best engage and teach students.

SEL: Social Emotional Learning

Though not technically a class, social emotional learning is woven through each day. This happens organically through the day-to-day moments of coaching and encouragement that our low student-teacher ratio allows. It can also be taught directly through group work, class discussions and morning meetings. We think SEL is so important that we “measure” it at our micro school by including it our quarterly Student Assessment Reports. Goals are set and progress recorded using our SEL Learning Objectives.

This Week at AHB Community School

This Week in 4th/5th

Reading/Writing Update This week in writing we had a lot of fun going on poetry scavenger hunts! We reviewed all the elements…

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This Week In K/1st

Thank you ALL for such a special Teacher Appreciation Week! BEST BOUQUETS EVER!!!! We LOVE our new totes (and all that was…

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Girl holding project at school.

This Week in 6th/7th/8th

Math Monday Zoomshrooms studied mathematical properties they have been using since they were young: commutative, associative, identity, and inverse. They then learned…

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Students take field trip at project based school.

This Week in 4th/5th

Creativity was the theme this week in Gamma Land! We made faux stained glass images to study attributes of 2D shapes, paper…

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Students in fourth and fifth grade enjoying project based learning.

This Week in 2nd/3rd

Math Ms. Kelly’s math group stayed extra busy this week investigating the number of faces, edges and vertices on different shapes. They…

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Student plays Oregon trail game at project based learning school.

This Week in K/1st

Larry Pranks Continue This week, Larry was on FIRE! He hid the teacher-chairs, AND, he switched all the South room tables with…

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Students learn about salt water and fresh water through project based learning.

EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS

What Education Can Be

Teachers can make or break one’s educational experience. At AHB Community School, we prioritize emotional development as highly as academics, and we find teachers who feel the same way. Rather than teaching to tests, AHB’s small class sizes and progressive curriculum allow teachers to craft a positive learning experience. When teachers love teaching, students thrive.