More independence. The right support.
Middle school students follow a recognizable schedule with Physical Education, homeroom, academic classes, snack and recess, and lunch. Daily Communications and executive functioning instruction help them prepare for high school.
Academics
Grade-level Amplify Math, English Language Arts, and Science instruction builds reading, writing, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Communications
Students learn to express ideas, understand other perspectives, work through disagreements, and advocate for their needs.
Executive Function
Students take increasing responsibility for work, materials, planning, transitions, and self-monitoring with guidance from teachers.
Middle school schedule
Students follow a consistent Monday–Thursday schedule. Specific activities and times may vary.
A typical school day for grades 7-8
Sample Monday–Thursday schedule. Times and activities may vary by grade and homeroom.
| Time | Class or activity |
|---|---|
| 8:20–9:00 AM | Physical Education |
| 9:05–9:20 AM | Morning Homeroom |
| 9:25–9:40 AM | Snack & Recess |
| 9:45–10:25 AM | Math |
| 10:30–11:20 AM | Communications |
| 11:26 AM–12:10 PM | English Language Arts |
| 12:15–1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:05–1:50 PM | Science |
| 1:55–2:10 PM | Afternoon Homeroom |
| 2:10–2:30 PM | Cash-Out |
| 2:35–2:40 PM | Clean Up & Dismissal |
Cash-Out
Determination, focus, and effort are rewarded every day.
Cash-Out is the end-of-day reward students earn through their effort, participation, and daily choices. Students earn different levels of Cash-Out based on how their day went. This consistent routine helps students connect their choices with outcomes and reflect on progress.
Strong academics. Preparation for what's next.
Our middle school program uses Amplify curriculum for Math, English Language Arts, and Science. Students work with increasingly complex material while building critical thinking, study habits, and independent learning skills.
Our academic curriculum
- Math: Amplify Desmos Math, Grades 7–8
- English Language Arts (ELA): Amplify ELA, Grades 7–8
- Science: Amplify Science and hands-on Science Labs, Grades 7–8
Assessing student progress
Teachers use mCLASS Math in Grades 7–8 to assess student skills, monitor progress, and guide instruction.
Fridays
Enrichment, connection, and weekly progress.
Fridays are an important part of life at The Craig School. The day begins with a whole-school enrichment experience that gives students opportunities to connect with classmates and staff, practice social skills, and learn outside their regular academic classes. Activities may include a visit to a local park, a nature walk, art, movement, or sports like Staff vs. Students dodgeball.
The rest of the day includes classroom activities, an academic block, brunch, and time to reflect on the week's progress.
A typical middle school Friday
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:20–8:35 AM | Homeroom |
| 8:35–8:45 AM | Class Activity |
| 8:45–9:30 AM | Whole-School Enrichment |
| 9:35–10:55 AM | Academic Block |
| 10:55–11:25 AM | Brunch |
| 11:30–11:45 AM | Afternoon Homeroom |
| 11:45 AM–12:30 PM | Fun Day Friday / In-Class Activity |
| 12:30–1:00 PM | Cash-Out |
| 1:00–1:10 PM | Clean Up & Dismissal |
Sample Friday schedule. Activities may change based on the enrichment experience and school needs.
Fun Day Friday celebrates consistent effort
Students who earn approximately 90% of their available weekly points participate in Fun Day Friday, an earned activity shaped by student suggestions gathered at the beginning of each week. The program recognizes consistent effort, self-regulation, and use of the executive functioning and social skills students practice throughout the week.
Students who have not reached the weekly goal continue with their scheduled in-class activity and remain eligible to earn daily Cash-Out. Our reinforcement system emphasizes growth over perfection. Every day offers a chance to make positive choices and “Turn It Around” after a challenging day.
The Friday schedule provides a 45-minute Fun Day Friday / In-Class Activity block from 11:45 AM to 12:30 PM. Whole-school enrichment in the morning is a separate part of Friday for all students.
Academics
Grade-level Math, ELA, and Science in small classes.
Communications
Students practice communication, self-advocacy, and collaboration.
Executive Function
Increasing responsibility for planning, organization, and work.
Support throughout the school day
Students practice executive functioning, communication, and academic skills through a consistent daily routine.
A familiar school day
Physical Education, homeroom, core academic subjects, recess, and lunch.
Daily Communications
Students practice self-advocacy, perspective taking, and communication.
Executive Function
Students build planning, time management, and greater ownership of their work.
Small classes
A maximum class size of 15, with a target 5:1 student-to-staff ratio.
Earned Cash-Out
Students earn different Cash-Out activities through effort and positive daily choices.
Dismissal
Students clean up and prepare for dismissal from 2:35 to 2:40 PM.
Let's talk about your child.
You do not need a formal diagnosis or a finished plan before reaching out. Tell us about your child, what is working, and what has been difficult. We will help you explore whether TCS is a good fit.
