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Lansdowne Middle School Exploratory Philosophy 

We believe that middle school students are facing a particularly difficult time in their lives. The National Middle School Association (NMSA) has asserted: “Young people undergo more rapid profound personal changes during the years between 10 and 15 than at any other period of their lives”. These young adolescents tend to struggle with personal decisions and social relationships, and may experience high degrees of insecurity, isolation and self-doubt. Our exploratory program attempts to reach out to students at this critical point in their lives, encouraging teamwork and fostering positive peer and teacher-student relationships, as well as developing critical thinking skills, decision making and creativity.

At middle school we emphasizes the holistic development of the child and this includes a wide variety of exploratory experiences. In 1995, the National Middle School Association reaffirmed the importance of exploration, calling for a “curriculum that is challenging, integrative, and exploratory”.

We believe that the Exploratory curricular programs, considered essential in good middle schools, capitalize on the innate curiosity of young adolescents. Our Exploratory program provides these young people with ten-week or thirteen-week learning experiences in which they can discover their talents, unique abilities and values. This self-knowledge helps students to prepare for adult life, not only in terms of vocation, but also as family members and citizens.

We believe that exploration is important for young adolescents because it ensures hands-on, participatory, meaningful, and engaging experiences. These exploratory programs take into account students’ shorter attention spans, rapidly changing interests, different motivational levels, and need to develop positive social interactions. 

We believe that Exploratory courses are intended to provide exposure to a subject. It is not intended that the student “master” the subject.