Touchstone Community School’s Older Student Program for students ages 12 to 14 extends an education that builds on individual and group learning while preparing students for success in high school and beyond. It provides a supportive classroom community for students who are at an age when they are seeking independence and connection with the outside world yet who need the support of a safe and friendly home base. The exploration of the subject “who am I?” is as important to young adolescents as any academic area they will study, but few schools give it a central role. In how many places can young adults feel safe talking in a direct and pragmatic way about issues such as friendship, belonging, integrity, aggression, and exclusion? Our Older Student Program provides such an environment while challenging students to stretch themselves academically. Theme-based learning at this level gives students an opportunity to pursue their passions, refine their research skills, and extend their ability to think critically. As is true throughout Touchstone Community School, our goal is to produce actively involved, responsible, conceptually strong students with deep skills, rather than to introduce a broad range of topics in a superficial way.
 
Experiential education at this level is enhanced by several extended camping trips that the class takes together each year. Learn more about outdoor education at Touchstone Community School.

Books we recommend to parents of middle school children:

Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager, Revised and Updated by Anthony E. Wolf

Learning how to kiss a frog: Advice for those who work with pre- and early adolescents by James P Garvin

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk (How to Help Your Child) by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish