Welcome to the Middle School
	The middle school years are a complex time as students are changing from being purely kids to becoming more adult. It is our job at Greens Farms Academy to help usher them through this journey by providing solid grounding and direction so they can develop their own identity. We do this through appropriately challenging our students academically, artistically and athletically and encouraging them to take risks while providing guidance through daily meetings with their Advisor.

	Research: In the modern world, research skills have become increasingly important. Our mission is to provide students with the tools to best navigate technology through our seminars on research skills in seventh and eighth grades, guided research papers in both sixth and seventh grades, science research projects in seventh and eighth grades, and the yearlong Capstone project in eighth grade. It is our goal for students to learn the skills of research and then have the opportunity to research their passions. Through this process we help develop excited and engaged learners.

	Class Trips: The development of well rounded and engaged students is a vital element of our Middle School experience. We provide opportunities for students to learn more about themselves and the world around them through our overnight class trips to Camp Hazen in sixth grade, the Alton Jones camp at the University of Rhode Island in seventh grade, and the Washington, D.C. trip in eighth grade. These trips, which supplement our curriculum, allow the students to make deeper connections both to each other and to the material learned in class.

	Active Learning: Deeper than being mere passive learners, Greens Farms students also are engaged in their community. Community Service is an important element of the GFA experience through tutoring programs in Bridgeport, visits to Elderhomes, maintenance of the Audubon trail, and myriad other events. In addition, each eighth grade student gives a speech to the Middle School at an assembly and then presents his or her research to other students on our Capstone Symposium Day. Our students emerge from the Middle School excited and actively involved in learning.   Through it all, we emphasize our Middle School Motto: “Dare To Be Different, Dare To Be Yourself.”