Middle School

Middle school students attend five core classes: English/language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and world language. English/language arts classes utilize a workshop approach, dedicating time for students to engage in authentic reading and writing experiences while developing essential literacy skills. Within the workshop, students participate in targeted mini-lessons, read individually and in book clubs and write in a variety of genres. Our middle school mathematics classes are concept-based, fully engaging students in daily problem-solving and reasoning while building essential content knowledge and fluency. Newly-designed social studies courses are developed from an inquiry-based framework that anchors learning around year-long themes and promotes the application of disciplinary knowledge and skills through case studies. Each course features a "Tunisia Through Time" unit that incorporates fieldwork experience and culminates in a learning exhibition. Performance-based science courses provide students with multiple opportunities to model, investigate, develop explanations, and argue with scientific evidence. Engineering design is integrated into our middle school science courses. All students take a world language class and can choose from French, Arabic, or German.

Elective courses, offered in both our middle and high school, help support the growth of a holistic learner and provide opportunities for students to follow a passion, learn about a subject of interest, or expand their expertise. Our students can study an additional World Language (Arabic, French, or German) or choose a course in Music (Band, Choir, Beginner Guitar), Visual Arts, Drama, Computer Science, Design Tech, or Multi-Sports. Elective courses run for the duration of the year, but students have an option to switch their elective at the end of the first semester.

Falcon Time is our middle school advisory block. Each week, for four 30-minute blocks, students focus on the development of social-emotional skills. Students are assigned to an advisory teacher who leads their group of 8 to 12 participants in age-appropriate topics of adolescent exploration and development. Falcon time is also used to bring grade levels together in assemblies, which are often student-led. These assemblies focus on a division or school event or a culminating celebration of learning.

ACST provides counseling services for students who seek support with social and emotional needs and with academic guidance/course selection.  

ACST provides learning support to students who have learning difficulties. Professional support is a combination of a push-in and pull-out model.  All learning support learners have regular check-ins from our Learning Support specialist and parents are a part of the goal setting and progress reports.

ACST provides English as Additional Language (EAL) support to students who are in the process of acquiring proficiency in the English language.  Professional support is a combination of a push in and pull out model.  All EAL learners have regular check-ins from our EAL specialist and parents are a part of the goal setting and ongoing progress monitoring.

ACST has a 1 to 1 laptop program in middle school and high school.  In grades 6 - 12 students bring their own laptop computers to school.  ACST students are permitted to use Mac or Windows supported laptops.  ACST has on-site tech support for most computer problems or for supporting software updates.

Each middle school grade engages in multi-day, on-site fieldwork at different locations in Tunisia as part of our Tunisia Through Time program. Anchored in the social sciences and integrated across the curriculum, Tunisian Studies Fieldwork invites students to bring learning alive while being fully immersed in Tunisian life. In Grade 6, students explore the Cap Bon region to study the geographical impacts of the rise of civilizations. In Grade 7, students see first-hand, the legacy of early globalization through a study of the Roman Empire, visiting El Jem, Sousse, and Monastir. Additionally, ACST has collaborated with the INSTM Sea Turtle Center to promote the rescue of turtles and raise awareness among the local and national public. In Grade 8, students reflect on the cultural intersections that have had a lasting impact on the people and culture of Tunisia. With visits to Kairouan, Tamezret, and Matmata, students experience Tunisian life from the perspective of the many groups of people who call Tunisia home.

Middle school students participate in service learning as part of their Tunisian Studies trips. They look for ways to help the community they visit. Students also participate in school fundraisers and initiatives, and some students take leadership roles in service learning opportunities.

Falcon Time Clubs are an opportunity for students to participate in activities they enjoy and create meaningful relationships with students having shared interests. These clubs meet around twice per month, on Mondays, during advisory time and are led by students who sign up to lead each club. Each semester, students brainstorm possible ideas and then are placed into one of their top three choices for the semester. Clubs fall into many categories including the arts, athletics, service-based, technology, educational, and more.

Our Falcon Guides are student ambassadors in grades 6-12 who value the school motto of "Open Doors, Hearts, and Minds" and embrace our Core Values with the goal of making our new students and families feel welcome and at ease at ACST and in Tunisia. This year we have 43 students who volunteered to be Falcon Guides! This number truly represents the caring and welcoming nature of our ACST community! 

The main focus of Falcon Guides is to help implement our Meet and Greet day at the start of school. Each year they prepare a "What Every ACST Student Should Know about ACST and Life In Tunisia" list that we share and discuss during the meet and greet day. Here is a sample. Falcon Guide responsibilities go beyond the first couple of days, they also make sure new students have someone to connect with in classrooms and during breaks during the first couple weeks of school. Any new student that joins throughout the year is also paired up with one or two Falcon Guides from their grade. Falcon Guides also assist at the Secondary Open House night. Our goal is to also do quarterly check-ins with new students throughout the year. This may look like a lunch with Falcon Guides and new students, or a connection on birthdays. Falcon Guides have also led school wide bonding initiatives, such as "Egg Drop Challenge" or "Mix-it-Up at Lunch". 

Student Government Association (SGA) is an elected position at ACST, with two students per grade level representing their class ideas to the administration to support better the interests and concerns of the student body at ACST. SGA representatives are known to sponsor student-wide programs such as winter formal, prom, and spirit weeks. Elected students will also speak at board functions and programs throughout the year.

The Class Friendlies event is designed to foster teamwork and school spirit by encouraging students to participate in a variety of athletic and intellectual competitions. This event provides a platform for students to collaborate with their advisors, combining their strengths to achieve ACST's core values. Whether through sports or academic challenges, participants are motivated to work together, building both confidence and camaraderie. Three class friendlies are held yearly as a celebration of unity; once in the fall before Thanksgiving break, once in the spring before spring break, and finally during the last week of the school year.