3 Ways Social-Emotional Learning Supports Middle Schoolers
Middle school is a critical time of transition.
Your preteen is going through a time of tremendous physical, social, and emotional growth during the middle school years. You want them to have the support of healthy relationships at school as they celebrate wins and encounter disappointments.
Your child is also growing in independence. They’re going to make more decisions on their own, and they’ll feel the consequences, whether positive or negative. Preteens will begin to encounter greater academic challenges. They need to develop healthy habits and effective study skills that will prepare them for success in high school.
Middle schoolers are experiencing developmental changes that can cause increased mental stress. You want them to be surrounded by people who care about their social and emotional well-being. The school should provide a supportive environment where they can grow and thrive.
You envision a caring community where students grow in their self-confidence, express themselves, and experience a deep sense of belonging.
Social-emotional learning powerfully impacts middle school students academically and spiritually. It also transforms the school community.
Looking for private middle schools in the Kalona area that can offer your child a rewarding experience? Explore Hillcrest Academy’s program here.
Academic achievement
Preteens start to dive into more advanced academic concepts in middle school. Hillcrest’s middle school program is intentionally designed to provide rigorous, engaging academics.
With increased academic pressure, the middle school phase becomes an important time to focus on social-emotional learning development.
Core subjects are taught in a way that helps students connect important concepts for practical, real-world application. Middle school is a season for shoring up gaps and encouraging strengths. We will challenge your preteen to do more than they think while providing support and encouragement along the way.
Social-emotional learning skills support academic performance and grow students’ self-confidence. Preteens believe in themselves and feel like a valuable contributor in the school community.
Our middle school students will be well-equipped for high school at Hillcrest, where students excel academically and outscore national averages.
Attention to social-emotional learning in middle school can set the stage for a strong experience in high school. Discover a private Christian school experience intentionally designed to nurture the whole person here.
Strong community connection
Preteens are developing a stronger sense of their personal beliefs, exploring their interests, and trying to find their identity.
A school committed to students’ mental well-being recognizes that preteens are also experiencing a range of new emotions and social challenges. A nurturing school setting with like-minded peers and caring teachers can make all the difference. They’ll support preteens as they navigate peer pressure and more complex relationships.
Hillcrest middle schoolers are encouraged to collaborate with fellow students as they explore real-world topics in a joyful environment. Faculty and staff will track with your child, so they feel known and loved during these pivotal years of growth.
Your preteen won’t get lost in the crowd at a school that focuses on mental health and the importance of community. In fact, part of thriving is building community, which is a pivotal part of the Hillcrest culture.
Rich spiritual development
Preteens should maintain a healthy balance between increased self-confidence and a heightened awareness of the needs of those around them.
A social-emotional learning environment can support middle schoolers as they develop and maintain healthy relationships and resolve conflicts.
Hillcrest offers a private middle school experience rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. Students will learn the values of understanding God’s unconditional love, respect for others, and a humble attitude toward service.
The culture of compassion allows students to thrive during the critical teenage years. And it prepares them for lives of Christian discipleship, peacemaking, and service.
Learn more about how your child can soar in academics, expand their talents, grow in confidence, and deepen their faith at Hillcrest Academy.