Middle School

Our Approach

Our middle school in Barcelona, Spain, offers offers students an outstanding educational program in a positive, supportive and stimulating environment. Students are encouraged to discover and celebrate not only their own uniqueness, but also the diverse talents and gifts of others within our rich international community.

Students build interpersonal skills and core character traits through their weekly advisory classes, community-building field trips, service initiatives and collaborations, student-led assemblies, and school socials. In addition, they are challenged to effectively use technology to communicate, analyze, create and express their thinking in diverse ways so they are prepared for the demands of 21st century professions. Our highly-qualified and experienced staff are caring and well trained to bring out the very best in this special age group. Our end goal is that, upon entering high school, our students will have not only developed a solid academic foundation but will also be kind, open-minded individuals who persevere through life’s challenges and are young women and men with integrity.

Leading the Middle School isn't just a job; it's the thrill of unlocking potential, the joy of fostering curiosity, and the ultimate adventure in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

mIDDLE SCHOOL VIRTUAL TOUR

MS Curriculum Overview

Humanities

The Humanities class is an integrated model of language arts and social studies that emphasizes the development of reading and writing skills using fiction, non-fiction, and historical texts. We use the Common Core English standards and Columbia University’s Reading-Writing Workshop approach to teaching literacy skills and concepts, while the social studies curriculum is derived from the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies. Major literacy and social studies units include:

6th grade

Argumentative, informational, and narrative writing
Reading analysis
Beliefs and culture in ancient Asia
Rise of ancient societies
Early humans and development of agriculture

7th grade

Argumentative, informational, narrative, and memoir writing
Renaissance and narrative nonfiction writing
Reading analysis
Ancient Rome
Historical fiction
Rise and spread of Islam

8th grade

Argumentative, informational, and narrative writing
Reading analysis
Investigative journalism
Complex societies of the Americas
Colonial life and slavery
Rights, laws, and liberties

Math

Math in the ASB Middle School is guided by the Common Core State Standards. Students participate in whole and small group investigations, reason about their thinking in Number Talks and Math Chats, and play games and do practice exercises to build mathematical fluency with facts, concepts, and procedures. They also work to complete individual and group projects that relate the math they are learning to the real world. In 8th grade, students may qualify to join our higher level math class.

Major units include:

6th grade

connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems
completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers
writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations
developing an understanding of statistical thinking.

7th grade

developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships
developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations
solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume
drawing inferences about populations based on samples

8th grade

formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations
grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships
analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem

Science

Our MS Science courses are based on the Next Generation Science Standards and include content that spans the scientific disciplines of earth and space science, life science, and physical science. Throughout the course of the school year, each grade level addresses these disciplines with fluidity. Each unit of study involves several experiments, explorations and demonstrations, where students are also challenged to research in-depth current scientific findings and ethical issues. This class is inquiry-based, hands-on, and demands students’ active participation.

Spanish

Our Spanish program offers different levels for the dynamic range of learners within our school. The highest level courses are the Castellano classes which follow the Spanish national curriculum, studying language, grammar and literature at a national grade level. We also use Columbia University’s Reading-Writing Workshop approach to teaching literacy skills and concepts. The Castellano students also take Sociales, the Spanish geography and history course that follows the Spanish national curriculum. The Castellano/Sociales courses fulfill the Spanish co-validation requirements of the Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) Certificate.

Students who are learning Spanish start in our Spanish Language Learners (SLL) program that follows the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency guidelines and the Common European Framework. Both sets of standards work in unison and include the levels of novice, intermediate, and advanced. The SLL program fosters the development of the four skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing from the beginning of instruction, and as a result, non-native speakers of Spanish can quickly advance in a few years towards fluency. In SLL classes, students learn both social and academic language within the context of Spanish society which will enable them to fully participate in both local and school life.

Catalan

The ASB Catalan program allows Spanish students to meet the requirements set out by the Generalitat de Catalunya and is a requirement for all Spanish passport holders. It gives all students the opportunity to learn the language and customs of the region in which we live through a combination of communicative and content-based teaching methods and appreciation of the unique culture of Catalunya.

Catalan Language Learning (CLL) is offered to international students to provide them with basic communicative skills that will help them to perform and integrate in the Catalan speaking community.

Information Technology

Our approach to technology is highly integrated and we have a one-to-one laptop program in which all students use their own laptop computer in all academic subjects. Skills such as 3D designing and printing, photo editing and web programming are developed through creative projects which connect with and reinforce understanding of curriculum content. In Information Technology we follow a cycle that consists of planning, creating and testing our solutions. Our aim is to prepare students to be responsible digital citizens who are able to make full use of technology to communicate creatively, research effectively, and collaborate with peers near and far..

Physical Education

During MS Physical Education classes, students develop their endurance, strength and flexibility with activities linked to effective warm-up and cool-down routines, and are exposed to different lifelong recreational activities and games. PE classes are offered twice every 6-day cycle. Some of the units covered are: badminton, multicultural games, volleyball, baseball/softball, circuit training, basketball and soccer.

Advisory

One of the strengths of the Middle School program is the Advisory program, which focuses on developing academic, emotional and social skills in these young teenagers. At the core of our Advisory program is the Positive Discipline curriculum. Additionally, there are presentations and guided activities delivered by our experienced advisors designed to help navigate topics such as organization and time management, social-emotional development, managing technology and social media, and other issues that students confront as they mature.

Art

The visual art curriculum is based on the National Core Arts Standards. Students explore sequential hands-on learning experiences that encompass the standards creating, presenting, responding and connecting. Art concepts are reinforced through projects based on the elements of art and principles of design. Students develop critical and creative thinking skills as they express themselves and experiment with varied media and techniques. The program strives to give each child the opportunity to develop a lifelong appreciation for art. Students take art once out of every 6-day cycle.

Performing Arts

Orchestra or Band or Theater

In Middle School, students receive two 70-minute classes of either Band, Orchestra or Theater in a 6-day cycle. Students work with specialist teachers and develop skills as an individual performer and within an ensemble. Students perform throughout the year and also have access to AMIS and ISTA festivals.

Theater

The objective of the MS Theater course is to provide students with dynamic and engaging opportunities to explore the theater arts through creating, responding and performing. Students explore the following units: Ancient Greek Theater, Commedia Dell´Arte, Mime, Improvisation, Fractured Fairy Tales, Devising, Monologues and Duologues and Class Plays. Throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in exciting performances, providing them with a platform to shine and grow as young artists. Our goal is to inspire a lifelong love for the theater and a deep appreciation for the arts.

Electives

ASB is proud to offer a variety of enrichment activities as part of the Lynx Elective program, which are incorporated into the school day twice out of every 6-day cycle. The classes focus on experiential learning and are aimed to enhance the student’s experience. Our program aims to foster creativity and offer activities that are developmentally appropriate, with the chance to develop skills related to leadership, service and collaboration.

Options may change from year to year, but typically include the following choices:

Robotics
Coding
Art
Choir
Movie-Making and Lynx TV
Guitar
Lynx Fitness
Lynx Sport
Explore Math
Strategy Games
Spotlight Productions (Community Theater)
Model United Nations (8th grade only)
Debate (7th and 8th grades only)

Services for Academic Success

English Language Learning

English Language Learning Support (ELL) services are provided for students whose first language is not English. Students learn the social and academic language that will enable them to fully participate in their mainstream classrooms. ELL teachers work closely with their students in the classroom or in small groups outside the classroom to support listening, speaking, reading and writing needs.

Learning Support

The Learning Support program provides specialized interventions to assist students in reaching grade-level standards and achieving academic success in the classroom. We believe that students with a variety of learning profiles can be successful when instruction is tailored to address their academic strengths and struggles. Students with specific learning needs receive a variety of accommodations and may receive direct support from a learning specialist or another member of the student support team.

Counseling

The ASB counseling program seeks to prepare students to become active, compassionate, and responsible members of their school and community by assisting students in acquiring knowledge, skills, and awareness in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development.

Special Programs

Middle School Student Council

The Student Council is a vehicle for experiencing the democratic process through discussion of school related issues and through the planning, organization and administration of various service projects. It is composed of student volunteers who form different action committees and who are sponsored and supported by experienced teachers and The Student Support Services Coordinator. Council members must show a responsible and committed attitude to learning and leadership.

Field Trips and Overnight Trips

The Middle School plans class field trips for each grade to support the academic programs. Most of the trips are local and at no extra cost to the students. Middle Schoolers participate in community-building and service trips in the fall and in the spring.

Community Service

Middle school students have several opportunities to participate in community service with the Esplugues Càritas and Banc d’Aliments (Food Bank), reading in English to students in local elementary schools, and environmental projects in Collserola Park. The Middle School Student Council and Rotakids also implement fund-raisers to support relief efforts for areas impacted by natural disasters and organizations that support animal and human rights. School-based community service includes specific classes helping younger students during events such as Halloween and Sports Day.

Model United Nations

Model United Nations is an internationally known program in which students research current issues and present as delegates at Model United Nations (MUN) conferences. Middle School 8th graders are given the opportunity to participate in Madrid Model united Nations (MADMUN) each spring as delegates.

Supporting a Period of Transition

We understand that the Middle School years are a period of incredible change for students. Our curriculum takes into account the developmental needs of students in the transition from the structured learning environment of elementary school to the more independent learning environment of high school. Through trained Advisory teachers and a dedicated MS Counselor, we pay particular attention to supporting the emotional, social, physical, and academic needs of all our developing adolescents.

Optional Services

Lunch

Bus Service

After School Activities

Want to learn more?

There is nothing like seeing the campus for yourself and speaking directly with a member of our Admissions team. We offer small group tours, individual virtual meetings, on-campus and virtual Open House events.

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