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Darlington Middle School focuses on reasons students should feel good about themselves and encourages students to try new things and appreciate the wonderful possibilities of learning. Students develop a real sense of self-worth. Committed to the education of the whole child, Darlington's Middle School aspires to such goals as academic excellence, athletic and extracurricular participation, personal integrity, respect for others, social responsibility, and community service. To help each student reach these goals, Middle School provides a warm, supportive atmosphere in which a child can develop self-esteem, the confidence to be self-reliant, and a sense of responsibility.
Darlington Middle School is dedicated to providing opportunities so that every student can reach his or her maximum potential. Students are encouraged to take advantage of honors classes, accelerated reading programs, enrichment activities, and a variety of athletic endeavors. In addition, Darlington Middle School participates in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP). Darlington's Middle School students' median scores on standardized achievement tests of the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) are far above the 85th percentile level in most subject areas. Each year, 45 percent of Darlington seventh-graders participate in the Duke TIP. TIP is a non-profit educational organization that identifies academically talented students. If a seventh-grade student has scored sufficiently well on a recent standardized test, he or she may take the Scholastic Aptitude Test. If the student's SAT scores meet the criteria set by the program, he or she is eligible to pursue studies during the summer at the TIP Center Summer Studies at Duke University or Davidson College. Those students whose scores place them in the second tier may attend classes at the Academy for Summer Studies. The courses offered through this program are excellent sources of enrichment for our students. The Middle School is also recognized as a national school of distinction by the Duke Talent Identification Program, which searches nationwide for mathematically and verbally gifted seventh-graders. This program recognizes schools that have students scoring in the 97th percentile of certain standardized tests, including the ERB test, which all Darlington students take. While all courses at Darlington Middle School are above grade level, some courses are designed for those students who are more academically advanced. Recommendations for these courses are based on student readiness as reflected in his or her performance during the previous year. A student with an average of 90 or above is definitely ready for these advanced courses. A student with an average between 85 and 90 may be considered for this placement with teacher approval, parent approval, and student enthusiasm for the course. Certificates of achievement are given to students who have done excellent work in a discipline. These are given to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Students in the sixth and seventh grades are awarded their certificates in the last Chapel meeting of the year. Eighth grade students receive theirs at Final Assembly. All major awards and eighth-grade certificates are awarded at the Final Assembly held on the last Monday of the school year. This assembly is not graduation but is held in honor of the eighth-grade class. English at the Middle School level serves as a well-rounded stepping-stone to the high school years. Middle School English seeks to develop the student's ability to think independently and then express those thoughts in writing. Each grade level divides its focus between a comprehensive study of grammar, a systematic study of vocabulary, a careful examination of age-appropriate literature, and a consistent development of writing and word processing skills. The primary focus of the Middle School English program is grammar. Each grade level of English emphasizes the mastery of sentence construction and writing mechanics and a systematic study of vocabulary. Additionally, Middle School English exposes the student to a wide variety of literature. Each grade level includes the short story, poetry, drama, and the short novel in its reading. Students experience Dickinson, Poe, Steinbeck, Shakespeare, Frost, and many other classic authors and playwrights. The study of literature at the Middle School stimulates independent thought processes and forces the student to confront character-shaping issues. The student's study of literature provides a wellspring of writing opportunities. Languages at Darlington are designed to prepare students for the challenges of an increasingly global community. Qualified sixth and seventh graders are eligible to begin their study of languages with Spanish IA. Qualified eighth-grade students may take Spanish I, Spanish IB, or French I. Students are recommended for these courses by their previous teachers, based on their readiness. These courses carry with them Upper School credit, and the student's grades are reported on his or her Upper School transcript which is mailed to colleges and used to calculate class rank and eligibility for the National Honor Society and Cum Laude. Students are required to complete three units of mathematics in the Middle School. All sixth graders take the same introductory course. After this, students are placed according to teacher recommendations in a course designed to allow for their successful progress. Each course of mathematics begins the year with a basic review of mathematical facts, operations, and algorithms. After this initial review, all courses emphasize mathematical reasoning, problem solving, communication skills, number relationships and theories, patterns and functions, and algebraic concepts. The purpose of the Middle School science program is to foster an awareness of the scientific world around us. By achieving a mastery of the basic principles of various science disciplines, students use the Middle School experience as a stepping-stone to achievement in more advanced science settings. Sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade science courses teach students to understand facets about the Earth, the life sciences, and the physical sciences. Whenever possible, a hands-on approach is used to allow students the opportunity to feel and manipulate, thus making the abstract concrete. The Middle School science program is interdisciplinary, incorporating the fields of geography, mathematics, and English by teaching students to develop map skills; to use calculators to do problem solving; and to write journals, book reports, and article reports on science topics. Social Studies courses in the Middle School encourage students to become more aware of the world around them. In order to do this, students must have some knowledge of the past and of the people and events that paved the way for the modern world. Physical Education is a yearlong course in which students are given the opportunity to improve their level of physical fitness. This course is also designed to increase self-confidence, leadership skills, attitude, teamwork habits, and motivation. This is accomplished through participation in various sport and lifetime activities. The long-term goal of the course is to instill a belief in students that physical fitness is necessary for a healthy life. The Middle School enrichment/activity program provides the developing adolescent with many opportunities to explore a wide variety of experiences so that he or she is prepared to make wise choices. Enrichment/activity classes provide an opportunity for students to learn about such topics as music, art, drama, journalism, health, computer, and research in a relaxed atmosphere. Middle School students are encouraged to help those less fortunate. They host a Christmas Party and an Easter Egg Hunt for the children at the Rebecca Blaylock Nursery. They also hold food, clothing, and toy drives for the Rome Urban Ministries and Angel Express. To help the environment, aluminum and paper are recycled. Students can also participate in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which meets for fellowship, Bible study, and refreshments. In addition to these meetings, the members also have cookouts, parties, rallies with other F.C.A. groups in Rome and Floyd county, and sponsor events such as Christmas caroling and films. Students with high academic averages (90 or above) who show the characteristics of leadership, scholarship, service, honor, and citizenship are inducted into the National Junior Honor Society each year. Students are eligible for this honor during their seventh-grade year. Members are encouraged to provide a good example to their fellow students and to assist anyone who needs help with academic subjects. Middle-schoolers are developing socially, as they are in other ways. Several activities are held during the year to provide opportunities for this development. Some are family-oriented, like the Pizza Party. Other events are for the students only, although parents are invited to attend. A sixth-grade party and a seventh- and eighth-grade dance are held at Christmas. All students are invited to attend a Spring Dance in May. The Middle School sports program offers fall, winter, and spring sports. The Middle School encourages students to choose to be involved in at least one sport per season. The emphasis is on skill development, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and fun. Student-athletes are challenged to give their best and to learn that winning is often a by-product of their effort along the way. The focus is on nurturing good attitudes by working on the way in which the game is played and not on the way in which the game is won or lost.
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