School Update:

Middle School

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Someone once described middle schoolers with a great analogy: while adults (mostly) “get ready, aim, and fire,” adolescents tend to “get ready, fire, and then aim.” Acting before thinking is a natural part of development, which gets refined with experience and growth into adulthood. Whenever a student is held accountable for a poor decision, they often respond with, “I don’t know why I did that.” Middle schoolers are in a constant battle with impulsive behaviors, as they figure out their identity with their peers, and their identity in Christ. They are always searching for a sense of belonging.

Isaiah 43:1 reminds us, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Undoubtedly, your child may struggle with their sense of belonging at some point during these middle school years. Kids can be unkind, and they often “fire before they aim.” To support them, we are reshaping some of our Flex Time. While Flex Time will still be used for study hall and academic support, we will now intentionally dedicate some of this time to “mattering and belonging.” Through structured community-building activities and purposeful conversations, students will learn each other’s names, interests, successes, and struggles, to ensure that all students “belong”.

Whether your child is in 5th or 8th grade, loves athletics, the arts, or academics, is a returning student or brand new to HCMS, they belong here. They will be noticed, their names and interests will be learned, and our teachers and staff are completely committed to ensuring that every one of our 423 students finds their place as part of the body of Christ. We look forward to partnering with you this year as we challenge their minds and lives for Him.