Middle School Program
TBS Middle School (grades 6-8) functions as a bridge between the Montessori Elementary program and traditional high schools. Our sixth grade is administratively part of the Middle School, but is intentionally a stand-alone classroom that mixes with the seventh and eighth grade for many activities, but also collaborates extensively with the fourth and fifth grade students. Middle School students study English, Cultural Studies and Science curricula which not only meet the California State Standards for their grades, but far exceed them. TBS' rigorous program was designed to foster not only academic mastery of the subject materials, but to go beyond traditional academic notions of rote memorization and test-taking skills. TBS seeks to instill genuine critical thinking skills that lead to novel and creative solutions to problems that require real innovation. Our emphasis is more on preparing students for life and building the skills for life-long learning and personal enrichment, where the academic skills are developed as a component of education along the way, not as the sole focus.
In fulfilling its role as a bridging program, TBS Middle School adds a new emphasis on advanced subject matter and academic skills suitable for high school and college preparation while retaining important aspects of the Elementary School's program such as personalized attention; emphasis on community, independent learning, and social/emotional development; and flexible, progressive pedagogy that accommodate students with a variety of interests, gifts, and challenges. There's also a strong service learning component in the Middle School, as there is throughout TBS; and the students increasingly assume roles as leaders in the school by mentoring younger students.
In order to best leverage the fine academic preparation TBS Middle School students receive, the school also offers a comprehensive high school counseling program to help families assess a wide range of post-BMS options. Historically, TBS graduates have gone on to attend the most competitive high schools in the Bay Area, including Lick-Wilmerding, Urban, Athenian, Bentley, Head Royce, College Preparatory School, Maybeck, and St. Mary's, as well as their public high schools.
Please contact us for more information on our Middle School programs for international travel, inclusive intramural sports, art and music classes, Extended Day, and vacation camps.
