What does it mean to be a BCD student? BCD Students Are... Responsible.
Accountability is increasingly becoming a lost value. At BCD our motto is “Respect Yourself, Respect Others, Take Responsibility for Your Actions.”
“The teachers at BCD are truly exceptional people. I did not realize how unusual this was until I went to shadow at the high schools. Here, the teachers know you personally and the level of trust astounds me every day.”– BCD Middle School student
The Scott Alexander Middle School offers a unique educational experience. Our program is characterized by the balance and breath of its curriculum and extracurricular learning environment. The curriculum balances breadth of exposure with in-depth pursuit of a student's interests. Our Middle School challenges students within a nurturing environment to develop independence of thought, habit and mind. The Scott Alexander Middle School experience provides opportunities for advanced study as well as support for students who wish to stretch beyond the bounds of the classroom.
In August, 2007, the Middle School received authorization as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. The IB Middle Years Program is based on global curriculum concepts and upon integration between subjects.
At Boulder Country Day Scott Alexander Middle School, experienced teachers offer a classical IB World School education that is excellent preparation for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate high school programs. Each course expands students' knowledge of the subject studied and develops the skills necessary for success with the college preparatory research and study expected of students in High School. The progress of each student is monitored by the child's advisor, the grade-level dean and team of teachers, and the Middle School director. The result is that our graduates are academically well prepared for success in any quality high school.
In addition to an academically challenging core curriculum, our well-rounded students are expected to take part in their community, and middle school students have an annual requirement of 20 hours of service. Community service opportunities are coordinated by our staff in the middle school. Middle school students' "body clocks" are going through many changes during the adolescent years. With this in mind we have designed a schedule which creates the optimum learning experience and meets students' needs. Our schedule rotates class times each day so no class meets at the same time during the week. This "tumbling" schedule also allows time for unique exploratory offerings which enables our students to investigate their interests. We offer eighteen elective choices during the year and these are teacher and student driven selections. The Middle School also invites students to explore competitive athletics, student government, clubs and after-school programs to round out their development as citizens of our community and the world.
Life in the 21st century places many changing demands on students making the transition through adolescence. They are at a crucial period of personal, social, physical and intellectual development, of uncertainty and of questioning. The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Middle Years Program is designed to help them find a sense of belonging in the ever-changing and increasingly interrelated world around them and to foster a positive attitude to learning.
At Boulder Country Day the IB Middle Years Program is characterized by
Academic Challenge: While not anywhere as rigorous as the High School program, we do expect our students to work hard. There is a lot of attention given to study skills, something we address with our small class size. Our students are very well prepared for High School, even those who may have struggled some while at BCD.
Global Perspective: The IB program emphasizes a broad view of the world. The way we teach American History within the context of the World History is a great example of this.
Interdisciplinary Instruction: As an IB Middle years school, teachers strive to make connections between the disciplines, finding threads that connect all subjects.
Community Service: Our middle school students are required to perform 20 hours of community service each year. This is a requirement from the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Capstone Project: Eighth grade students are required to complete a year long project prior to graduating from Boulder Country Day School. Wood working, sewing, novel writing, learning to play an instrument, graphic design and entrepreneur endeavors are some of the projects students have chosen. BCD feels this is an excellent way to promote in-depth learning.
Click here to find out more about THE IB MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAM