The TASIS Middle School
The TASIS Middle School is comprised of seventh, and eighth graders, day and boarding students, EAL and mainstream English students. It is an energetic group of young people from eleven different countries around the world, who bring a special and spirited quality to our school. The diversity of the students' nationalities heightens the middle schoolers' sensitivity to cultures and customs different from their own.
The Middle School is run by Middle School Head, MJ Breton and a team of Middle School Faculty and Staff.
The TASIS Middle School philosophy recognizes the fundamental importance of creating a caring and nurturing community for the youngest members of our student body. Understanding that the preadolescent years are exceptional ones, with specific physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs, we address these needs within a partnership of dedicated Dorm Parents, Faculty, Advisors, and Middle School Director who are able to work closely with the students on an individual basis.
The Middle School academic program is based on the ideas of the Core Knowledge program as outlined by American educator E.D. Hirsch, while still accommodating the wide range of languages and cultures present in the school. All students take classes in English, Mathematics, Science, History, Visual Art, Music, and Physical Education. Native English speakers study Italian, and students still learning English as an academic language have an additional period of English instruction. The Middle School program also has an Italian Section program for those residents of Ticino required to have 80% of their education in English. In addition to the regular classroom instruction, Middle School students have supervised study periods each day, access to specialized Help Centers, and frequent classes in study skills and note-taking.
Integral to our program is an emphasis on the values which create a successful community: respect, honesty, compassion, empathy and taking full responsibility for one's actions. Given a supportive framework which promotes sound relationships based on these principles, we have seen many positive results within the Middle School community. TASIS middle schoolers have several opportunities to serve others, from the internal Service Learning Program, to the Middle School Committee, to leadership roles within the Middle School, to name a few.
Travel is definitely one of the highlights of the Middle School program. In the past two years, we have traveled far and wide: Sailing the translucent, turquoise waters around the Italian island of Sardegna, hiking and exploring the Bernese-Oberland region with its spectacular Swiss Alps, weekend excursions to Florence, Nice, Lucerne, and Milan,trekking the dramatic Cinque Terre mountains along the Italian Riviera, and spending a week in the magical city of Venice.
The Middle School fosters both a nurturing atmosphere and a challenging academic program. In our efforts to build community and provide a 'home away from home' environment for our middle schoolers, we lay the foundation for success.
What Middle Schoolers from around the world say: from Vermont, USA: "I love the fact that I have friends from everywhere! I don't need to take classes to find out about different cultures? I just chat with my friends. One of my best memories here was swimming fully-clothed in the Adriatic Sea off of Venice with two other girls in my class! That was a great way to celebrate my thirteenth birthday, (although cold?)!"
from Mali, Africa: "One of the best things about being a boarder is that I get to see my friends every day. It is also great to live above the main offices of the school, and the dining hall! Being at TASIS, I get to know my teachers and other faculty while living in one of the most beautiful countries in the world."
