The Middle School
Grades 7 & 8

What if your middle school student attended a school where:

  • Students are engaged and challenged, where they are truly excited about learning?
  • Students steadily grow into their full and authentic selves, supported by a caring school community?
  • This school community is well integrated within our unique local community?
  • The curriculum regularly calls upon the students to explore national and global perspectives on issues?

The Middle School at Many Rivers Montessori is just such a school. Building on Many Rivers’ existing program, the Middle School provides a high-quality, authentic Montessori educational environment. This Montessori environment supports students in reaching their full potential through independence, academic preparation and social-emotional development. We invite you to come and observe our school in action!

The Middle School Years

In writing about the middle school years, Maria Montessori called for students to engage in both hands-on and intellectual work. This would allow students to understand, “by practical experience, that these two kinds [of work] complete each other and are equally essential to a civilized existence.”

This recognition of the value of intellectual as well as hands-on work lies at the heart of the MRM Middle School. Along with the school’s core academic program, students have broad-based opportunities for both school service and community service, interactions with the natural world, entrepreneurship, and other meaningful community involvement.

Intellectual Work: Academics

Through extended work times that support individualization, collaboration, and interdisciplinary study students gain the necessary academic foundation required for success in high school in the following areas:

  • Mathematics
  • Literature and Writing
  • History and Geography
  • Life Science, Earth Science and Physical Science
  • Foreign Language
  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills
  • Art & Music

Read more about Adolescent Curriculum here.

Hands on Work: Entrepreneurship & Service

Montessori middle school programs incorporate service programs such as working in a soup kitchen, farming as a community venture, and apprenticeships or mentorships in the workplace. These activities meet the adolescent need for meaning in school through an age-appropriate advancement of the “goings-out” of the Elementary years. Hands-on activities generally have a particular emphasis on economic enterprise. Examples may include:

  • Running an actual business, known as a “microeconomy” in the Montessori literature
  • A week-long mentorship experience in a local business
  • Community Service
  • School Service

Personal Growth

MRM’s Middle School program is grounded in the Montessori value of supporting the growth and development of the whole child. Supportive and respectful social relationships, fostered through the development of skills such as those below, lie at the heart of a learning environment that will enable each student to thrive.

  • Resilience
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Interpersonal Communication Skills
  • Public Speaking
  • Community Awareness

The World as campus

We are exploring partnerships with a variety of community arts, education and social service organizations in the Twin Ports. These partnerships will provide our students with meaningful service learning and volunteer opportunities in our community, as well as new avenues for artistic and creative expression.

Our fall Middle School Retreat and extended Spring Studies Trip are well-designed outings that are integrated into the curriculum. These trips support personal development and foster a deep connection to the natural world. The MRM Elementary program provides a variety of Minnesota experiences. With the Middle School, we will set our sights broader, and the students themselves are the major planners for the spring trip.

Hear from the Middle Schoolers Themselves

“[MRM MS] challenges me in a safe, healthy environment where I’ve met a lot of possibly life-long friends.  If I could, I would probably go to high school at MRM!”

8th grade student

“I think [MRM MS has] prepared me very well…They give you so many lessons that a public school can’t teach, like how to do taxes, how to read a paycheck, and many others.”

8th grade student

An Alumna’s Reflection

Many Rivers Montessori Primary guide and Montessori Middle School alumna Maddie Keeler shares her experience as a Montessori Middle School student, how it prepared her for the social challenges of high school, and offers her hopes for MRM’s inaugural Middle School Class.

“Our middle school students are really, really happy.  How often do you see a group of middle schoolers happy at school?”

Madeline, Parent & Toddler Guide

Nondiscrimination Statement as to Students

Many Rivers Montessori values diversity in every aspect of the school community. It is the policy of MRM not to discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability in the administration of its admissions policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs and other school-related programs.