• Academics
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• Arts Program
• Additional Educational
  Components
• Learning Center

“My heart continues to tell me that a quality public education is a right for all kids. At CACS I want to give students experiences they'll retain and reflect upon later as a positive part of their lives.”

Maria Jenerik, parent of two alums, Middle School teacher, and coach

Middle School

At Creative Arts we believe that the K-8 model is uniquely effective in meeting the educational and social needs of early adolescents. Our small, individualized setting engenders a sense of consistent community for our students. They have opportunities to form long-term relationships with peers over the years of growing and learning together and with significant adults through our academic, advisory, service learning, and sports programs.

At the same time, students joining CACS in the upper grades benefit from the same nurturing community and learning environment.

Student advisors, art teachers, and content area teachers work together to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of our Middle School students. For example, the program includes an environmental justice curriculum that incorporates overnight camping trips and opportunities for students to take leadership roles in the community.

Expanding on the educational model of our Elementary School, 6th to 8th grade teachers use thematic curriculum planning and integrate content areas whenever possible. And, of course, the arts play a central role in broadening learning experiences.

Below are two illustrations of our Middle School's creative approach to academic material:

• Our 6th grade humanities class takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of ancient civilizations beginning with early humans. Students research relevant anthropology and archaeology before creating replica artifacts of early humans and transforming their classroom into a cave dwelling. The project culminates with the students writing and hosting an exhibition of human development for lower grade classrooms.
• Similarly, 7th grade science engages students in biology through cell and crystal modeling with sugar and other common kitchen substances and physics through the building of marble mazes and chutes to be displayed at the Maker Faire. Math also includes a celebration of "pi day" – with actual pies.

Across all grades, Creative Arts focuses on each student's unique needs. Our small classes and curricular flexibility allow us to concentrate on the individual learner's strengths and areas for growth.

This focus remains at the forefront of the Middle School years. Sixth to eighth grade math, for example, is structured to enable students to progress at their individual skill levels and abilities. The Middle School math text, Connected Mathematics, allows teachers to cover areas such as fractions, decimals, percentages, division, geometry, pre-algebra, and algebra according to the needs of the individual student. An additional part-time math instructor collaborates with the 7th to 8th grade teachers to ensure differentiated instruction and additional small study groups. These elements combine to ensure that each student graduates from CACS with the prerequisite knowledge for high school math.

In addition to a rigorous, hands-on curriculum, 6th to 8th graders have many opportunities for service learning through partnerships with our Elementary School classrooms as well as organizations in the surrounding community.

Our 2008 graduates are enrolled at the following Bay Area high schools: The Bay School, Gateway, International Studies Academy, Jewish Community High School, Roosevelt, School of the Arts, Tamalpais, and Washington.

Ultimately, CACS strives to help students reach their full potential and prepare for the exciting challenges ahead.