Middle School

Our Middle School curriculum explores brain development and function – the anatomy of the brain, the nervous system, how we learn, mental patterns and memory.

• Students learn to appreciate different learning styles and their influence on our abilities, interests, skills and challenges.
• Classroom and homeroom exercises provide strategies for success, independence and overcoming learning challenges.
• Students work on organization, note-taking and research skills, and independent reading.
• Collaborative projects and events, such as planning the middle school lock-ins or partnering with classmates in an intensive writing class, strengthen social skills.
• Following 8th grade, rising 9th grade students can take part in our Transitional Academic Program.

Throughout the curriculum, students learn how to:

• Gain control over the process of thinking that is used in learning situations
• Plan ways to approach a task
• Develop the skills needed for reading comprehension
• Maintain awareness and control over distracting environmental and internal stimuli
• Manage effort over time

Our Curriculum provides grade-appropriate content in each academic area.

To learn more about these individual programs, visit our Academics page.

• Social Thinking® by Michelle Garcia Winner
• Zones of Regulation®
• Executive Functioning
• Speech & Occupational Therapy
• Wilson Reading System®
• Eureka Math®
• Step Up to Writing®

There are always engaging activities and event happening in Middle School. 

• Students plan, manage and stage school productions, ranging from the school play and dance to the talent show, which showcases singers, musicians, dramatic readings and original compositions.
• The annual chess tournament attracts a huge number of players and ultimately results in a grand champion.
• Nearly two-third of our student body takes part in the Student Council, which gives students a collaborative voice and plans social events throughout the year.
• Our student-run mock election teaches students how to debate an issue, work together, and become comfortable presenting in front of their peers.

TQS has a longstanding history of service learning projects that address local, national and international needs.

Projects have included:

• Mitten Tree collection, benefitting a Philadelphia shelter for women and children, disabled U.S. Veterans, and Hurricane Katrina relief
• Fundraising for Hope Children’s Home in Guyana, which has helped the organization purchase a stove, shoes and a van in recent years
• The Penny Challenge and Canned Food Drive, which raises funds and food for the homeless
• Socktober, which collects new socks for people in need

Technology opens doors and breaks down barriers for students with complex challenges.

Technology activities in the Middle School include:

• 1:1 Chromebook program including speech to text and text to speech on each device
• Basic keyboarding
• Reinforcing academic skills using developmentally appropriate software
• Writing and illustrating simple words and sentences in a multimedia format
• Use of interactive Promethean boards
• Numerous supplemental academic software programs that include graphic organizers, speech synthesizers, electronic dictionaries, and word prediction