At ASOY Middle School we recognize that adolescents are in a unique transition period from childhood to adulthood. This is a time characterized by diverse physical, emotional, social, and intellectual changes. In order to be effective, it is important that our program be responsive to the unique needs of this particular age group.

Consequently, we base our program on the following beliefs:

• An effective program is balanced between the extension of basic knowledge and skills and student-centered activities that encourage creative exploration and experimentation.
• Encouraging creative thinking and individual expression is important.
• To meet individual student needs, we must employ a wide variety of teaching techniques and provide a variety of interesting and enjoyable activities.
• Student-centered activities should be designed to enhance personal, emotional, and social development through stressing participation and cooperation over competition.
• Our students need opportunities to explore and confront real-life moral and ethical issues.
• There should be many opportunities for student success and recognition both in and out of the classroom.
• The climate of the school is important and should be encouraging, respectful, challenging, and . . . fun!
• Our students must exit the middle school program as self-confident young learners who have strong basic skills, learning interests, and thinking skills that will promote future success.