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Upper School (4-8)
Foothills School has a unique approach to creating classrooms that is grounded in our focus on differentiation of instruction. The school is composed of multi-age groupings of students called dyads; the Upper School is made up of the Intermediates (ages 9 to 11, or traditionally grades Fourth and Fifth grade) and the Seniors (ages 12 to 15, or Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grades). These dyads allow fluid groupings that change throughout the day that are sometimes ability-grouped, sometimes purposefully heterogeneous, and sometimes driven by student-choice of activities. Providing students avenues to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and creatively with a variety of peers in multiple settings (which meet their specific academic needs) maximizes opportunities for student growth and satisfaction within the learning environment at Foothills.
The strength of Foothills School’s mission lies in the equal weight given to personal, academic, and social responsibility. The school does not simply educate so that a student can excel on an end-of-year exam. Foothills is dedicated to providing an educational experience that inspires and creates passionate citizens of the world, who have all of the skills needed to effect change in their lives and in their changing communities.
Academic Priorities in the Upper School
Academic instruction in the upper grades is focused on each student developing his or her authentic "voice." The upper level classes deliver an outstanding and rigorous curriculum - benchmarked against national standards - while encouraging students' personal growth.
Foothills is an educational leader in helping students learn to learn, and that becomes a significant outcome for upper level students. The inquiry learning methodology permeates the classroom - we ask big questions and explore them across the curriculum - and there are "wonder walls" in every classroom that allow students to reflect their own questions. In Socratic Seminars and other discussion formats, students are asked to reflect on their perspective and be able to express how they've come to their conclusions. This respectful communication, in which the teacher is an expert guide, allows students to achieve a level of confidence - as a learner and communicator - uncommon in middle school.
The curriculum at Foothills school is broad and rich, including elements that are considered "electives" in other school environments. At Foothills, we balance the core curricular subjects with art, music, foreign language instruction, and a true electives program to ensure students are becoming broadly educated, with skills developing across many domains.
Upper School (4-8)
- Curriculum Maps
- More content coming soon
Upper School (4-8)
What Distinguishes Us
Our low student-teacher ratio of 9:1 permits personalized attention to student needs.
We hire, train, and retain outstanding faculty who are committed to our unique approach to education and to learning about each student - the relationships our faculty have with students is part of what makes the Foothills experience markedly different from other schools.
Our faculty teach in teams so that we are able to bring a breadth and depth of perspectives in each dyad's instruction.
Unlike all public and charter schools, we are not "graded" in the public sector and are not required to spend classroom time preparing students for or administering standardized tests; our alumni have proven time and again that their skills as thinkers and problem solvers enable them to succeed at test taking - we simply don't believe it's a way to encourage the love of learning that drives our daily experience at Foothills.
Our classroom curricula is benchmarked against national standards in each academic area.
Foothills School uses national standards to benchmark its academic curricula. Learn more about the curricula at the school by exploring the school's Curriculum Maps, charted in a collaborative effort of faculty schoolwide.
Maps in Additional Content Areas:
Students in the Upper School at Foothills are challenged to be leaders in the learning community. While continuing to build essential skills in core academic areas, students are encouraged to build their confidence in working effectively with others and are asked to contribute significantly to the greater community through service activities.
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The Upper School...
- allows students across all grade levels to share experiences - so, while the classes remain small, the social group of the Upper School is as many as 60 students.
- encourages freedom of expression alongside responsibliity fo the community; students become confident communicators and team members at Foothills.
- incorporates technology instruction through the use of mobile technology laboratories.
- features the Socratic Seminar as a format for literacy and social studies discussions.
- includes both Fall and Spring Trips as a part of the curriculum - these are outstanding experiences.
- takes advantage of science labs and resources at BSU and in local business and nonprofit organizations for learning.
- incorporates instruction in art, music and foreign language - not as electives, but as part of the core curriculum.
Foothills' Results...
- In a survey of 40 alumni, every one of them said, "I learned to think at Foothills!" - this is the outcome we expect for every student!
- More than 80% of upper level students are operating above grade level in math.
- More than 90% of upper level students are reading at least one level ahead of their grade - and more than 50% of students have language skills at the college level.
- Alumni become student leaders and active participants in other learning communities in high school and beyond.
- More than 95% of Foothills alumni are in college or plan to attend; those who don't are traveling abroad, volunteering significantly, or going into family businesses.
Images of the 2009-10 academic year!
Click here for the Middle School and Nines Program Brochure
