ST. ANDREW’S MIDDLE SCHOOL
Forge your
PATH
Our MISSION St. Andrew’s develops exemplary scholars, artists, athletes, and servants in a loving Episcopal community who are curious, courageous, and compassionate global citizens.
Our Middle School curriculum is diverse and
The Path to . . .
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
challenging, full of opportunities for students to learn and grow as Scholars, Artists, Athletes, and Servants. Students are encouraged to become their very best selves every day. The Middle School combines programming and a strong focus on relationships and community to help students become moral citizens of the world. Small class sizes, a variety of leadership opportunities, the House System, and close-knit advisory groups foster a sense of connection and belonging, encouraging students to actively engage in their educational journeys. Our faculty has a wide range of experiences inside and outside of the classroom, bringing a wealth of knowledge and creativity to their teaching.
The Path to . . .
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT EPISCOPAL IDENTITY St. Andrew’s is an Episcopal school that seeks to integrate religious and spiritual formation into the life of the school community. Our Episcopal identity is centered in the call to respect the dignity of every human being and to strive for intentional pluralism, justice, peace, and understanding among all people. Through daily chapel, we guide and challenge all who attend our school to build robust spiritual, ethical, and moral centers as they navigate the world they will inherit.
At St. Andrew’s, we believe in what is right and what is good, and that begins with honoring every person we encounter, in our school and across the Austin community. — The Rev. Wm. Lee Curtis, Middle School Chaplain
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Advisory Our advisory program has three main components: academic advising, social-emotional skill development, and community building. Advisory groups meet four times a week, advisories sit together during chapel, and lockers are grouped by advisory. This structure allows for consistent contact between advisors and their advisees in both formal and informal settings. Advisories are grouped by grade level and have an average ratio of ten students to two advisors.
Student Leadership Because we believe that middle school students should learn to be leaders and serve the school and their surrounding community, we provide several avenues for students to engage
The Path to . . .
SELFDISCOVERY
with leadership in our curriculum, chapel, and student-led organizations. In order to better foster a community of leaders and organically contribute to the school’s culture, we have formed a built-in council system that allows students to grow as leaders dedicated to any of the following areas:
• ATHLETICS • FINE ARTS • CIA (Culturally Inclusive Allies) • EAC (Environmental Action Committee) • AMBASSADORS (Tour Guides) • CHAPEL • PEER MENTORS • STUDENT ADVOCACY Leaders are able to serve within the areas of school life in which they are most invested. Students can also serve in our House System or as a House Captain. Through their student leadership, they contribute to the community, culture, and legacy of the middle school.
Specials and Electives St. Andrew’s Middle School provides multiple opportunities to expand students’ learning and interests beyond core academics. At each grade level students are required to take two “specials” courses. In 6th grade, we offer SET (study skills and executive function) and RPT (research, problem-solving, and typing) courses; in 7th grade, students take Religious Studies, an academic survey of the three Abrahamic religions, and Health and Wellness; and our 8th graders take Speech and Research and Project Citizen, where they select an issue of concern, conduct research and interviews around the issue and propose an actionable solution. Beyond these required courses, we offer over 20 electives that allow students to dive deeper into their passions based on the four pillars. Each middle school student will take one elective and one special per semester.
House System The House System was established in 2014 to bridge the gap between grade levels and to provide students with a sense of belonging. Each house is composed of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, as well as members of the faculty and staff, who get to know one another through team-building activities and friendly competitions. The House System provides authentic opportunities for leadership, allows students of different age levels to interact, and helps to foster the teacher-student relationship outside of the classroom, giving each Middle School student a dynamic support network and plenty of advocates in their corner.
The Middle School faculty understands that significant learning does not happen without a significant relationship in place. We believe that by intentionally building meaningful and authentic relationships, we can challenge our students to find their voice, take healthy risks, and ultimately be the best versions of themselves. At St. Andrew’s Middle School, no student falls through the cracks. — Tim Moore, Head of Middle School
Oftentimes, the best learning happens outside the classroom. Time spent as a class together away from campus can help to build true community, so we’re intentional about creating experiential learning for our Middle School students each year.
Mo Ranch The sixth grade attends a three-day retreat at Mo Ranch focusing on team-building, and social-emotional skill development, providing a valuable bonding opportunity as the class starts their Middle School journey.
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NEW EXPERIENCES
Hill Country The seventh grade heads to the Texas Hill Country for four days, with stops in San Antonio and Enchanted Rock along the way.
West Texas The eighth grade travels to West Texas for five days of camping, hiking, and learning about the geography and geology of the area.
HOW TO APPLY Thank you for your interest in St. Andrew’s. Applications are accepted online at sasaustin.org. Priority is given to applications received on or before January 15. To make an appointment or to inquire about our program, please contact: Steven Garcia Director of Middle School Admissions sgarcia@sasaustin.org (512) 299-9707
MIDDLE SCHOOL Fast Facts
Financial Aid
St. Andrew’s is dedicated to the principle that
Average class size is
14
students
Advisory program has a
10:2
60 18
qualified students should be able to attend
7
teams across
student to advisor ratio
sports
Fine Arts courses
regardless of their ability to pay. To that end, we offer need-based financial aid. Our Financial Aid program supports over 150 students in grades K–12 with over $2.7 million in aid. For additional information about the Financial Aid Program, please visit our website or contact Priscilla Lund, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid by email at plund@sasaustin.org or by phone at (512) 299-9802.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
29%
of families identify as racially diverse
79%
of faculty have advanced degrees
Average of
23
community service hours done per year
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School admits qualified students regardless of race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, physical disability, socioeconomic status, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, physical disability, socioeconomic status, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation in the administration of any policies or programs generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
1112 WEST 31ST STREET AUSTIN, TX 78705
Find us online at sasaustin.org /SASAUSTIN.ORG
@SASAUSTIN