Saint Peter Middle School is committed to meeting the unique needs of the middle-level learner. We strive to equip each student with the knowledge and skills necessary for their next level of education and life. We will reach this goal by fostering a collaborative learning environment inclusive of rigorous core content, exploratory opportunities, and elective offerings which are responsive to the physical and social emotional needs of fifth through eighth grade students.

Collaborative Learning Environment
Saint Peter Middle School serves approximately 680 students grades 5-8. In order to create a smaller, more close-knit feel and to increase collaboration between staff, students, and families, each student will belong to one of four “houses.” Each house will consist of approximately 170 students who share the same four core content teachers (English language arts, math, science, and social studies). Our four houses include Oak House (5th Grade), Spruce House (6th Grade), Maple and Pine Houses (7th and 8th Grade combined). Age specific houses in the 5th and 6th grade allow staff to focus on the specific needs of 5th and 6th graders. Mixed-age houses in the 7th and 8th grades allow for increased teacher collaboration, the ability for students to remain in the same house for two consecutive years, and prepares students for the mixed age groupings that they will experience in high school elective courses.

Rigorous Core, Exploratory, and Elective Courses
At each grade level, students will learn essential content in English language arts, math, science, and social studies. Students will also engage in exploratory and elective courses (art, family and consumer science, health, music (band/choir), physical education, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), Spanish, French, and AVID (advancement via individual determination)), which build upon core content knowledge and increase students’ acquisition of the 21st century skills (collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity) through a broad range of hands-on learning activities. Further, exploratory and elective courses provide students with an opportunity to explore their strengths and interests. Being exposed to multiple exploratory and elective courses will aid students in choosing courses in high school and ultimately make decisions for future career paths.

Physical, Social, and Emotional Learning
Students in middle school are navigating school and life amidst physical, social, and intellectual change. Saint Peter Middle School recognizes and embraces the role it plays in the positive development of each, and is committed to supporting its students on their journey through adolescence.

Each student will have an advisor who serves as an adult advocate and communication link between home and school. During advisory time, students will meet with their advisor and homeroom peers to explore content specific to middle level student success. Topics will include study skills, organization, work ethic, social skills, and problem solving. In addition to the advisor-advisee program, students will learn healthy decision making and habits through health, physical education, family and consumer science courses, and a recess period to accommodate the physical activity needs of students.