Upper School (grades 7-12)

The Upper School: (Grades 7 to 12)

The NewGate-Field School has offered grades 7 - 12 since its first graduating class in 2004. The school is accredited bythe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Montessori Society. The course of studies is recognized by the Florida Bright Futures Program.

Our goal is to seek accreditation from the International Baccalaureate Program, as well as the International Montessori Council.

Montessori Secondary Education

This link will open an online FlipBook that will allow you to read or print the chapter from our book, The Montessori Way, about Montessori at the secondary level (Ages 12 to 18 / Grades 7 to 12). 

The Montessori Secondary Program at NewGate-Field School consists of experiences both in the classroom and outside of the classroom that assist students in gaining greater self-awareness and engagement with a complex world.
The Secondary Program is organized into two, three-year cycles of work that parallel current traditional standards for academic course work and set the foundation for college level work. These two cycles are described in more detail below. The program also provides a wide range of experiential learning opportunities interwoven throughout the curriculum to respond to the developmental needs of adolescence including orientation trips, internships, drama immersions, film festival immersions and local, national and international research trips. 
First Cycle Students (Grades 7-9)

During early adolescence, between the ages of roughly 12-15, students are intensely aware of themselves. The world of an early adolescent revolves around identity, self-expression, and peer social relations. They are making the gradual move from a concrete to a more abstract understanding of the world and have an intense need to belong.

First Cycle students take integrated, multi-age classes each year in science, math, history, English, Spanish, art, physical education, and practical life that parallel current traditional standards for academic course work and set the foundation for Second Cycle, high school level work.

Classes are small with a high level of student-teacher interaction, student choice and cooperative peer learning.

First Cycle Course of Studies
3 credits
Language Arts
1 credit
Pre-Algebra
1 credit
Algebra (for high school credit)
1 credit
Geometry (for high school credit)
1 credit
Earth Science
1 credit
Biology/Anatomy and Physiology
1 credit
Physics
1 credit
Ancient History/Geography
1 credit
American History/Geography
1 credit
World History/Geography
3 credits
Spanish
1.5 credits
Art
1.5 credits
Physical Education
3 credits
Practical Life Management
 
Second Cycle Students (Grades 10-12) 

 During the second cycle of the Secondary Program, students ages 15-18 continue to work in multi-age learning environments.
Second Cycle students are more capable of abstract thought and more comfortable and capable of exercising their independence. They are interested in a wider social context outside of their immediate peers, and they have a desire to more fully understand adult behavior. The coursework in this cycle of the program spirals up to and responds to the Second Cycle student, who is now ready to refine and apply his/her skills and knowledge with deeper understanding.
Students take challenging seminar and project-based courses each year in science, math, history, English, Spanish, art, physical education, and service learning that foster the academic and intellectual capacities of adolescents and set the foundation for college level work.
The courses require in-depth participation, close attention to detail, independent work, writing, solid research, discussion, and analysis.

At the end of the Second Cycle students have a depth of understanding about themselves and the world, sophisticated reasoning abilities and experience with a wide range of tools, modes of expression, and courses that prepare them for college, life and thoughtful citizenship.
 
Second Cycle Course of Studies
3 credits
English
1 credit
Algebra II
1 credit
Functions/Statistics/Trigonometry
1 credit
Pre-Calculus
1 credit
Advanced American History Seminar
1 credit
Advanced World History Seminar
1⁄2 credit
Comparative Government Systems
1⁄2 credit
Comparative Economic Systems
1 credit
Biology
1 credit
Environmental Science
1 credit
Chemistry
3 credits
Spanish
1.5 credits
Art
1.5 credits
Physical Education
3 credits
Personal Development
1.5 credits
Service Learning
 
This course of studies meets or exceeds state graduation requirements and college admissions requirements.