The middle school years are critical to both setting the stage for high school success and crafting the beginnings of adulthood from childhood. Breakwater embraces this stage in a young person’s life as a unique and fertile time for growth. When supported by a strong middle school program, early adolescents learn life-long lessons about confidence, self-understanding, critical and creative thinking, and finding their own voices. The Breakwater Middle School offers high academic expectations, close relationships with adults who understand both the emotional and academic needs of middle schoolers, a supportive and caring learning environment, and a challenging curriculum geared to the characteristics, abilities and interests of ten to fourteen-year old children.

Young adolescents experience rapid and uneven change in their physical, emotional, and cognitive development – more so than at any other time in their lives except for the period from birth to 18 months of age. During this active stage of growth students want, above all, to feel connected; they need a school where they belong, not one they simply attend. The enthusiasm, energy, and complexity of middle school students are appreciated and celebrated at Breakwater. Our Middle School offers an anchor during the storms of early adolescence, a safe place from which to explore deeper waters and to nurture an unfolding sense of self.

Research shows that all middle level students are engaged in a search for identity. An unshakeable foundation for life-long learning is built when students are supported well in this search. Eighth graders leave Breakwater with well-developed problem solving, academic, and social skills, as well as a solid sense of who they are as human beings. Throughout their Breakwater experience, we help each student develop the independence, courage, and will to “be themselves.” We also help them build the confidence and imagination to pursue answers to their questions, explore their passions, and contribute to their communities.