WHY START Middle School IN 5TH GRADE?

At LJA, we focus on whole-child learning as a part of our educational mission. We believe it’s crucial to begin fostering this love of learning and STEM thinking in the 5th-grade year, before students lose confidence in their abilities. 

Research shows that early adolescents often lose interest in academics during the tween years, particularly in math, science, technology and physical activity. Sixth grade can be a particularly challenging year as academics become overshadowed by students maturing at a rapid pace. Students are trying to figure out who they are, what they want, and understand their sense of agency and power as adolescents.

Although this can be a challenging time between caregivers and students, starting 5th grade with a supportive learning environment can help your child move through this critical development phase – as they explore their potential, develop their intellect and discover their brilliance.

Starting middle school in fifth grade ensures time for staff to get to know each individual scholar and their family before the rate of developmental change and challenge increases in sixth grade. Our staff prioritizes forming authentic relationships with each student to understand their unique interests, strengths, hopes and dreams. Our scholars are just beginning their journey to understand how they fit into the world and develop a sense of belonging to a larger community.

Teacher Emily Barnes shares, “Each year, I see students come from all around the city, from a wide variety of prior learning experiences, to create a new and outstanding fifth-grade class. Students quickly form friendships, and I hear them say over and over again that they’ve found their people here.”

This is precisely why we do things the LJA way. With our STEM-focused learning, we incorporate strong science content, technology, and critical thinking. We help our students nurture their curiosity and wonderment, become innovative thinkers and resilient problem solvers, and apply STEM thinking in and out of the classroom.

At Laura Jeffrey Academy, we are committed to doing what works best for kids, even if it looks a little different from the traditional model of schooling. At LJA, students learn to think, dream, and do, which leads to empowered scholars and alums who continually find solutions, push beyond stereotypes and dismantle glass ceilings. LJA graduates are articulate, thoughtful critical thinkers, conscientious citizens, and eager participants in their own learning and growth.