Middle School (Grades 7-8)

Students at LAS begin their academic journey in Middle School (grades 7 and 8). This is a safe environment in which they can learn, study, play, and thrive. Students in our middle school program are immersed in a tight-knit community of passionate learners and take part in an exciting curriculum filled with educational field trips and opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning.

Support is readily available to students at LAS, from the Associate Academic Deans and their staff to the dormitories and faculty families. All our students are encouraged to challenge themselves and try new things in a safe and fun environment.

At LAS, we offer a differentiated educational program that meets students’ needs and supports them as they realize their academic potential and develop into lifelong learners while building a strong foundation upon which they can build their success in later grades.

Outside of the classroom, students can participate in after-school activities such as sports, yoga, and theater, or enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Supervised cultural trips and weekend excursions are also great ways for our youngest students to embrace living abroad and gain international exposure.

Academics

In order to provide our Middle School students with a strong scholastic foundation and skill set, our grade 7 and 8 programming is divided into two segments—Academic Core and Academic Exploration. Academic Core, consisting of English, Reading and Writing, Physical Education and Health, Science, and Math classes, emphasizes the key principles and knowledge students need to be successful in later grades. Academic Exploration is made up of a selection of interdisciplinary courses designed to broaden horizons and uncover new talents.

Students in our Middle School program have six core classes and two elective blocks. This curriculum helps students learn to work collaboratively and effectively as they gain essential skills and knowledge that will create a strong foundation for future academic success.

Residential Life

The welcoming community and cozy dorms at LAS make it easy to transition into boarding school life. Students live in gender-separated dormitories with students within their age group. Dorm staff are always around to supervise students and provide social or emotional support if needed.

LAS students are growing in their independence and are expected to take on important responsibilities such as laundering their clothes and keeping their rooms and common spaces tidy. Taking on these tasks is a great step towards becoming mature young adults.

Lifestyle

Extracurricular activities are an excellent way for students of all ages to explore new passions, develop teamwork skills, and meet new friends. Students take part in after-school activities regularly throughout the year, and, if they are interested, skiing or snowboarding in the winter term.

Faculty Families play an essential role at LAS. Each year, we assign our students to a “family” consisting of two or three faculty parents and fellow students. The Faculty Family serves two primary functions—it helps students navigate the world of LAS and encourages students to make new friends beyond their classroom peer groups. Sometimes our Faculty Families meet during the academic day to allow faculty parents to check in with each of their students. Other times our Faculty Families will meet for a social event or multi-day excursion (a dinner, tobogganing, a movie night, or a short trip). LAS faculty parents work hard to support each student’s social, emotional, and academic well-being.