Little Rock, AR (PRWEB) January 16, 2016
Researchers have found that students in a K-8 school model achieve higher academic success, participate in more extracurricular activities, and become leaders. A K-8 school provides an environment of personal attention and intimacy, and by delaying the transition to a new school until high school age – until a child is more mature – a student is more confident academically and socially. How do parents find a school that gives such a strong footing for high school success and provides a full middle school experience? Come tour The Anthony School and witness firsthand students enjoying a complete middle school experience. The Anthony School will host an Open House on January 20th from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Visit http://www.anthonyschool.com for more information or email Ann Vanhook at annv(at)anthonyschool(dot)org to make a private appointment.
The Anthony School consistently produces students with strong academic and social skills, high ethical standards, and a positive attitude toward school. The Anthony School’s mission is to “educate children in a challenging, loving environment which empowers them to become efficient, independent, excited learners.” It is the oldest non-sectarian independent school in Arkansas. Its foundations built through its early childhood and elementary programs are substantiated. Anthony has perfected a complete middle school experience within its K-8 model.
What is the complete middle school experience at The Anthony School? Academically there is not a better place to have a student prepared for high school. There is an important need for STEM classes in today’s education. Anthony offers a modern science lab; 6th grade visits Space Camp in Huntsville, AL; and a majority of graduates enroll and excel in Pre-AP, AP and/or IB science and math classes in high school. In fact, Anthony’s 7th/8th grade science teacher won Little Rock Family’s “Middle School Teacher of the Year” in 2014. 8th grades students graduate with Algebra I under their belts. Anthony also offers a 1:1 laptop program for all middle school students. Technology is integrated into the curriculum, and there are SMARTBoards in every classroom. Project based learning is practiced in nearly every subject, and all academic subjects work in a cross-curriculum manner.
The Anthony School was founded with a strong focus on Language Arts and the importance of developing effective writers. The school uses the Schaffer Writing program, a preferred program for many high schools. The history curriculum includes Civics and Global Studies; students are expected to think critically and explore the impact of historical events on today’s world. Anthony offers both French and Spanish, and all 8th grade students take the national French and Spanish exams at year-end to benchmark their proficiency. Standardized testing takes place each spring, and students participate in Duke TIP; eligible 7th graders may take the ACT or SAT, and many students earn state recognition. Middle school students are using textbooks and resources that are typically a grade or more above local public schools.
The Anthony School also believes in the importance of community service and leadership. The school offers multiple service projects throughout the year and incorporates these experiences within the curriculum. 8th grade students take a “Service Learning” course and mentor 2nd graders by reading together. Leadership is developed through student government, spelling and geography bees, theatrical productions, athletics, and the National Junior Honor Society.
The Anthony School puts the “A” in “STEM” and Anthony lives and breathes “STEAM.” Fine and performing arts are a big deal in middle school. Students have been recognized by the Arkansas Arts Center. Art classes teach both applied art and art history, and art is offered multiple times a week. Additionally, the school recently installed a GIANT kiln. In addition to a complete student-run musical stage production each year, several drama students attend iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta. These students were awarded the iTheatrics “Ensemble Award for Choreography” award in 2015. Blaine Krauss, the actor who portrayed Simba in the 2014 National Broadway Tour of The Lion King, visited the middle school Lion King JR. cast. Mr. Krauss provided coaching, dialogue, and movement training. 6th grade students take an Intro to Communications class; 8th grade students take Oral Interpretation and Debate, and both grades are enrolled in Speech.
Competitive athletics is an integral part of Anthony’s middle school experience. Athletics is one of the most visible activities in the school. The athletic program possesses standards, goals, and ideals that complement the academic programs. This athletic program seeks to produce student-athletes with a high level of intellectual and moral character, build athletic teams that favorably represent The Anthony School, and establish teams that are consistently competitive. The Anthony middle school is an active member of the Arkansas Activities Association. This association includes 490 public and private middle and high schools in the state, and through participation in the Association, the athletic programs help to prepare Anthony middle school students for high school athletics. Anthony offers basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. All students also participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge.
The Anthony School is accredited by ANSAA (Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association) and ISACS (the Independent School Association of the Central States).
The Anthony School board of trustees, administration, faculty, and staff are committed to educating each individual student to reach his or her academic potential. Anthony recently remodeled the middle school wing and has added classrooms to expand the middle school population. Nancy Rousseau, Principal of Little Rock Central High School, explained it well with the statement, “The students who come to Little Rock Central High School from The Anthony School are the best prepared for the rigor of the Pre-AP and AP classes out of all Little Rock private and parochial schools.” Whether a child attends Anthony from PreK3 through 8th grade or chooses to enter the middle school program from another school, Anthony is dedicated to making sure every child is fully prepared for high school – academically, socially… completely. The Anthony School provides a complete middle school experience.
“The Anthony School has been advancing independent & excited learners since 1944.”