We believe kids “in the middle” need to be

ACTIVELY ENGAGED

in their learning!

Learning in middle school needs to have purpose and relevance to students’ lives; they want to know WHY what they are learning is important and know they can have a positive IMPACT in the world.

That’s why our teaching is structured by driving questions that allow students to see the relevance of what they are learning to their own lives. It stretches beyond factual learning and results in students creating real products through which they apply and demonstrate their deeper learning. Students create products for Market Day in conjunction with their Global Awareness Unit, create Perfect Civilizations to tie in their learning about Ancient Civilizations, and take stands on social justice issues as part of a Head, Heart, and Hands project to culminate their middle school experience.

OUR FOCUS

Learning by Exploring

We believe middle schoolers need to explore as many different experiences as possible, so they can discover how God has designed them. Students in grades 6 and 7 explore a variety of practical arts and service opportunities during short exploratory courses that we call X-Block. Students choose between a variety of practical, recreational, and service-oriented activities. Our grade 8 students participate in a variety of learning activities including 3D design, laser engraving, foods and nutrition, wilderness training, theatre arts, and community service. 

Home Room Model

One of the things we do best is care about our students. We know that learning of any kind is best facilitated by confidence and encouragement, so we endeavour to build up each student through staff relationships. This happens in the classroom, on the field, and through real work for the real world: projects that get us working together to see God’s world made new.

“ACS has always been and continues to be a very safe and inviting place for our children to learn and grow into the unique and special people our God has created them to be!”

-ASHLEY J. (Mom of elementary and middle students)

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

GRADE 5 BIKE SAFETY

As the sun starts shining in early Spring, our grade 5s embark on a bike safety unit. Partnering with our youth liaison and Abbotsford Police community partners, students learn about bike and road safety, including the basic mechanics of bike repair and maintenance. The unit concludes with a mini “road trip” guided by our Abby PD friends and parents.

GRADE 5 GOVERNMENT AND MOCK ELECTIONS

Our grade 5 students delve into learning about levels of government and the importance of being informed voters. Politicians from the municipal, provincial, and federal levels visit where the students can ask questions and learn about the ins and outs of government. . They even hold their own student election complete with voting clerks and scrutineers!

GRADE 6 MARKET DAY

Ask anyone who has been to Market Day in the past and they’ll tell you all about the buzz in the middle school gym, the variety of products for sale, and the excitement of supporting a larger global community. The Market Day project is guided by the question, “How can we serve members of the global community who are living in poverty?” The goal is for students to raise money for something greater than themselves. This highly popular community event is student-driven—created by the students from start to finish! It is sponsored by Opportunity International, an organization working alongside families and entrepreneurs in the developing world.

GRADE 6 FRACTURED FAIRYTALES

After re-experiencing traditional fairy tales, grade 6 students venture into the realm of fractured fairy tales: familiar stories with a twist. Not to be outdone, they then fire up their own creative powers to write original fractured fairy tales, inspired by well-known tales. Think of a buff granny take-down in “Little Red Riding Jacket” or a rodeo princess adventure in “Countryella!” In groups, students rehearse, create props, and bring each story to life on stage with our community. This celebration of language arts, drama, and traditional tales that our students and community looks forward to!

GRADE 7 NEWCASTLE TRIP

The grade 7 trip to Newcastle Island is one of the perennial highlights for students! This three-day camping trip has students (and accompanying parents), working in small groups to delve into their ecosystems unit.

GRADE 7 CAN I DRINK THIS WATER?

Can you drink that? Our grade 7 students are tasked with the monumental task of filtering dirty water. The unit addresses the global challenges faced in majority world countries and the lack of drinkable water. Through a deeper understanding of these harsh realities, students are faced with the challenge of creating their own filtration devices using household materials. As scientists in training, they are cautioned not the actually drink the water—but it sure looks like they could!

GRADE 8 CARDBOARD BOAT COMPETITION

The “Engineering Design Process” is the first unit of the year in grade 8. Students learn about the scientific method through a variety of tasks that test their resilience and perseverance, finishing with the well-loved cardboard boat race. At first glance, building a boat that floats out of cardboard may seem like a somewhat simple task. That is, until the students discover that they are only allowed to use cardboard and a single roll of duct tape! This project culminates in a “race day” competition at Rolley Lake to see which boat can carry one team member, the fastest, without sinking. Read more about this project >>

GRADE 8 SALTS SAILING TRIP

Each year our grade 8 students participate in a five-day sailing experience aboard a tall ship. This sailing trip has been designed to apply what students have been learning about oceans and fluid dynamics in their science classes as well as themes from their humanities classes.

Middle School Athletics

We encourage maximum participation and excellence at the middle school. Everyone who wants to play has the opportunity in grades 5-7. In grade 8, we do make cuts in select sports in order to ensure adequate coaching and practice time. We field teams in cross country, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field. Teams participate in exhibition play, Christian Schools’ tournaments as well as in the local leagues for grade 8.

Some other things we think are really neat to know

We have two facility/PADS dogs on campus.

Students have a minimum of 40 minutes of PE every day.

Every student learns music at every grade level.

Over 100 Italian sodas are made in our café every week!

Happy Birthday! Mr. Cumiskey, the middle school principal, gifts a PEZ dispenser to students on their special day.

Students at the middle and secondary campuses checked out a whopping 16,588 books last year!

100% of grade 8s serve in a leadership role.