Scarsdale Middle School

Population of program: Scarsdale Middle School focuses on the developmental needs of early adolescents. We seek to foster a highly challenging intellectual environment that is also very nurturing and supportive. The population is made up of a diverse group of 1200 middle school students, from grades 6-8.  

Program Values: To provide hands-on learning and leadership opportunities in order to provide students opportunities to learn so they can make informed decisions about their well being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life.

Program pedagogy: Family & Consumer Sciences is a course designed to help middle level students live in a society of constant change and to improve their quality of life by preparing them to meet their present and future responsibilities.  The goal is to educate early adolescents to think constructively, make sound decisions, solve problems, and manage resources.

This course is organized around four process skills: communication, leadership, management, and thinking. Our courses are to be taught using a hands-on experiential approach. Learning occurs in the context of real-life situations and repeated practice is encouraged. Our course is delivered in a kitchen laboratory setting as well as our outdoor and indoor garden spaces. The use of real-life relevant tasks, laboratories, simulations, and community involvement is an integral part of the course as is the use of research, class discussions, and group activities.