Music, Art, Theatre, and Communications/ Technical Theatre
In grades six through eight, Prairie’s Performing and Fine Arts programs help students gain a wider appreciation of the arts and broaden their self-expression. Aspiring performing artists play instruments, sing in choirs, and act in theatrical productions in Prairie’s performing arts theatre. In media literacy, students learn about color and its impact on theatrical production. The technical theatre class includes set production where scenery is created, and sound and lighting techniques are learned and utilized in a full musical production.
Fine Arts courses develop skills in drawing, painting, sculpting, papermaking, and working with clay. Young artists in grades seven and eight may also take glassblowing – Prairie is one of the only schools in the U.S. that teaches this medium to Middle School students. You can see the Music, Art, and Theatre course options and sign up form here.
Special Activities
Integrated, cross-curricular opportunities and off-campus experiences are important to the learning process. In grades five and six, our students learn about self-reliance and cooperation during the annual Environmental and Outdoor Education Program. Students in grades seven and eight take part in educational trips that take them to St. Louis, Mo and Washington D.C.
Physicality
Research shows active children perform better academically, so Middle School students participate in recess every single day, as well as taking a physical education class five out of every six days.
Community Service
Advisory Program
Prairie has a comprehensive advisor/advocacy program to help guide our students’ growth. Advisors meet with their students daily to discuss academic performance and social issues, and set personal goals. Advisors also maintain regular contact with parents to ensure the “communication triangle” is complete.
Prairie Leadership Society
The Prairie Leadership Society is a selective program for students who are dedicated to positively representing Prairie. The Society is comprised of 7th-12th Grade students who are in academic good standing, active members of the student body, and exhibit enthusiasm for being a Prairie Hawk. Election to the Society is based upon application, faculty recommendation, and a brief interview. Click here to learn more.
Co-Curricular Activities (Sports & Clubs)
Starting in 6th Grade, Middle School students may choose to participate in a variety of extracurricular clubs, as well as both intramural and interscholastic sports. While the athletic competition is intense, a school-wide no-cut policy encourages participation and camaraderie as student-athletes begin learning and focusing on the finer points of their favorite sports.
Club Information:
Goal: To provide a space for students to share ideas, explore new media, connect with the local art community, and be inspired by their peers.
Who Can Join? All MS students
When: C Day during Flex; Open studio time is available on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 3:45-4:45PM
Where: Lower Art Room
Cost: No charge
Leaders: Izzi Buikus
Goal: Students will be part of a four-person (maximum) team. Each team is responsible for reading about 40 books over 6 months’ time (each student is responsible for reading at least 10 books off of the list). Teams meet in March/April for a “Battle” in which questions are asked about the various books read.
Who Can Join? Grade 5
When: Lunch on B Days
Where: Dining Room
Cost: No charge, but students are responsible for obtaining a copy of each title assigned. One copy of each title will be available in the SRC, and one in the Grade 5 Reading classroom.
Leader: Ali Gasser and McKenzie Weaver
Goal: To chat about books, create art using books, and participate in special events throughout the year.
Who Can Join? Students in Grades 6-8
When: Lunch on E Days, as well as after school (depending on club member availability)
Where: SRC
Cost: No charge, except $5 for field trip in October to “YA Fandom Frenzy”
Leader: Jenny Cobb, Ali Gasser and McKenzie Weaver
Goal: Through chess, students learn disciplined thinking and benefit from the important life skills that chess teaches: problem solving, decision-making, coping, and patience. Chess enhances educational learning through new vocabulary, basic geometry, sportsmanship, and persistence.
Who Can Join? Students in Grades 5-8
When: Thursdays from 3:45-4:45PM, beginning on October 17th, 2019
Session 1 (10/15/19 – 12/10/19)
Session 2 (1/27/20 – 3/16/20)
Session 3 (4/6/20 – 6/1/20)
Where: M-21
Cost: $128
Leader: Alice Holt
Space is limited! Click here for the registration form, which can be returned with payment to the MS Office.
Goal: To explore aspects of Chinese culture and language through activities, videos, and games. Students are encouraged to practice speaking Chinese the entire time, unless the activity does not allow.
Who Can Join? Students in Grades 6-8 enrolled in Chinese classes
When: Lunch on E-days
Where: M-20
Cost: No charge
Leader: Alison Wojahn
Goal: To explore math through a variety of hands-on games and activities including Bouncy Dice Explosion, Glow In The Dark Geometry and Toilet Paper Olympics. Each 8 class session will provide various ways to show how fun math can be!
Who Can Join? Students in Grade 5
When: Wednesdays from 3:50-4:50PM, beginning on September 18th, 2019. We will offer 3 sessions throughout this school year. You can sign up for one or all of the sessions offered.
Where: M-22
Cost: No charge
Leader: Lynne Santalucia
Sessions are limited to the first 16 participants who register. Click here for dates and details.
Goal: To write and report in order to entertain and inform our Middle School community. Students will be part of a newspaper team. Students in Grades 5-8 may contribute stories, photos, and more; students in Grades 7/8 will serve as the leading editors.
Who Can Join? All MS students
When: Lunch on D Days, or from your device if you cannot make the meetings. Submissions must be planned ahead with the news team and meet the deadline.
Where: M-4 for Grades 5/6, M-11 for Grades 7/8
Cost: No charge
Leaders: Jennifer Cobb & Alicia Gasser
Goal: To educate ourselves and our community about how best we can use technology to our advantage.
Who Can Join? Students in Grades 5/6
When: Morning Meeting
Where: SRC
Cost: No charge
Leaders: Joy Aragones
Goal: To encourage girls to explore their interest in coding, while helping to bring awareness to an issue in their community.
Who Can Join? All MS students
When: Lunch on F Days
Where: M-3
Cost: No charge
Leaders: Joy Aragones
Goal: Student-directed explorations of history. Students pick a topic, research, and present. We play history qui games and watch documentaries. We are historians.
Who Can Join? All MS students
When: Lunch on F Days
Where: M-5
Cost: No charge
Leaders: Gardner Seawright
Goal: To learn the art of jazz and improvisation through listening, performance, and interaction with guest artists. We will participate in TPS Jazz Day and TPS Jazz Night at the Red Onion Cafe.
Who Can Join? Students in Grades 6-8
When: Lunch on B Days
Where: A-18
Cost: No charge
Leaders: Jamie Breiwick
Goal: Lego League brings students together to explore, create, test, and share ideas about science and technology, all centered around a team challenge.
Who Can Join? All MS students
When: Thursdays from 3:50-5:30PM, beginning October 3rd, 2019
Where: Wonder Lab (Maker Space, located in the Fieldhouse)
Cost: $50-$100 per student (includes materials and registrations)
Leader: James Lescher
Please pick up your student at the Fieldhouse doors at 5:30PM. The first team challenge will take place on Sunday, December 8th at Oak Creek High School.
Goal: A national middle school math club that builds problem-solving skills and fosters achievement through games, explorations, and problem sets.
Who Can Join? Students in Grades 6-8
When: Mondays from 3:50-4:50PM: Oct. 21st, Oct. 28th, Nov. 4th, Nov. 11th, Nov. 18th, Nov. 25th, Dec. 9th, Dec. 16th
Where: M-22
Cost: No charge
Leaders: Brianna Kunstman
Goal: To assist in tech delivery around the TPS campus.
Who Can Join? All MS students
When: Daily before and after school, as well as during lunch when announced
Where: Tech cave in the SRC
Cost: No charge
Leaders: Klay Shannon & Alison Wojahn
Goal: To test your knowledge!
Who Can Join? All MS students
When: Session 1: After Parent-Teacher Conferences – Winter Break
Session 2: Winter Break – Mid-March
Session 3: Mid-March – End of the school year
Where: M-20
Cost: No charge
Leader: Alison Wojahn