Soar Program
What is Soar?
The middle school Soar program empowers students to become civic-minded, independent thinkers who are engaged with their communities. Soar students develop awareness of global diversity while remaining rooted in their own traditions and values.
The program encourages students to become involved citizens through understanding of local and global power structures, environmental sustainability, appreciation of human diversity, and appreciating connections between historical and current events.
Soar students implement service learning projects in the local community, explore on field trips, and take an elective class to deepen their understanding of what it means to be a global citizen.
Applying academic skills to real world issues is a key component of the Soar program.
Team Teaching and Collaboration
Team teachers lead the core classes in Soar. Math and Science are taught together in a two-hour block as are Social Studies and ELA. Two teachers in the classroom provides additional support and perspectives for students.
Core classes collaborate on projects throughout the year as students demonstrate a deeper understanding of each subject and how these skills apply to the real world.
Global Citizenship Elective
In 7th grade, Soar students participate in a Global Citizenship class. Students may take this class in the fall or spring semester of their 7th grade year. It is focused on several units including environmental sustainability, advocacy, power structures, and connections between historical and current events. Students complete a service learning project as one component of this class. As a result, students will have a better understanding of themselves, their community, and the world. They will also understand how to apply their efforts and interests towards ideas they are passionate about.
Exploration
Throughout their middle school years, students can take advantage of rich learning opportunities through field trips, guest speakers, and collaborative class projects.