Middle Division
Our Middle Division goes beyond textbooks to foster a community where students in Grades 6-8 feel secure enough to take risks, ask questions, and discover who they are, all while building lifelong friendships. At Pen Prep, Mariners are nurtured to become confident learners and compassionate humans, ready to make their mark on the world.
Middle Division Fast Facts
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Grades 6 - 8
The Pen Prep model is designed to offer a longer, more intentional period of growth within the Middle Division, promoting stability, mentorship, and a smooth transition into adolescence.
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Small Classes
Our Middle Division classes have 15 or fewer students, allowing teachers to tailor their approach to each student's unique needs, from extra support to advanced challenges. This leads to deeper engagement and better academic outcomes.
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Close-Knit Community
With less than 50 Middle Division students enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year, Mariners make genuine connections with both students and staff, reducing social pressures and building the confidence and resilience they need to thrive.
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Outstanding Results
Our results speak for themselves. When compared with peers nationally.:
Over 70% of Middle Division students scored in the 90th percentile or higher in Reading.
And 90% scored higher than the 90th percentile in Math.
What Makes Pen Prep Middle Division Different?
At Pen Prep, our small size allows us to put our students at the center of everything we do—course offerings tailored to student interests, lessons designed to engage every learner, and personalized instruction to provide extra support or enrichment. Every subject is enriched with movement and collaboration to get kids out of their seats and into the action. Through projects that matter to them, students develop the skills they need to think critically, solve problems, and grow a love for discovery.
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At Pen Prep, students learn by engaging with real-world problems, projects, and scenarios that are relevant and meaningful to their everyday lives. But learning extends beyond the classroom, too—students explore museums, nature preserves, local businesses, and cultural sites, making real-world connections to their studies.
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Middle Division students enjoy multiple electives every week. Plus, each semester, Mariners dive into a new passion. Guided by their curiosity, they also explore rotating immersion topics, from Journalism to Architecture.
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At Pen Prep, collaborative learning is woven throughout the day, teaching students to work as a team, share ideas, and respect diverse perspectives—all while developing their analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Pen Prep students aren’t just happier, they learn more, too. First-year Middle Division students grew an average of 1.5 years in both Math and Reading. Plus, more than 70% of Middle Division Mariners scored in the 90th percentile or higher in Reading, and 90% scored higher than the 90th percentile in Math.
A Day in the Life of a Middle Division Mariner
Since each student’s schedule is built just for them, it’s hard to truly capture a day in our Middle Division. However, this sample schedule gives you a taste of what a typical day could look like for a Mariner:
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Every day begins with a morning meeting in homeroom classes. We believe it is important for middle school students to continue to refine their social/emotional skills and build a strong, supportive community.
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Our academic classes meet for more than an hour, with Math and ELA meeting four days/week and Science and Social Studies twice/week. This extended class time allows for deeper learning, reduced homework, and greater flexibility in instruction.
At Pen Prep, we offer on-grade and above-grade placements, including options to earn high school credit.
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In ELA, students may engage in novel studies, using creative projects to think critically, participate in evidence-based debates, and write creatively and informatively while fostering a deep connection with the stories and developing empathy by exploring diverse characters and experiences.
In math, students start with whole whole group, direct instruction and complete hands-on activities, games and practice to become proficient in core skills. Then, students break up into small groups for additional instruction aligned to their individual levels and learner preferences.
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Students choose several electives each semester, designed to appeal to the interest of the students. Some of this year’s morning options include Theater, Art History, Chorus, Archery, Spanish, and Cultural Anthropology.
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Our middle schoolers have a 45-minute period and can choose where to eat, whether it’s in our kitchen, lobby, or outside on the playground. After they finish, it’s their choice! They can spend the rest of the time playing on the playground, reading quietly, hanging out with their friends, playing chess, or other supervised activities.
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In Science, students will be researching topics related to the standards, performing investigations, and working hands-on with the animals and plants on our campus.
Our Social Studies curriculum has a heavy emphasis on projects for either American History, World History, Geography or Civics.
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Some of this year’s afternoon elective options include Personal Fitness, Yoga, Forensic Science, Marine Science, Guitar, and Agriculture.
Intentional School Hours
Our 8:35 AM start time is shown to promote better academic performance and improved mental and physical health, among middle school students. Plus, our 3:25 PM dismissal allows enough time after school to decompress, complete any homework, and fully participate in extracurricular activities.
Characteristics of a Successful Mariner
While Pen Prep strives to have a diverse group of students, some learners may be more successful in our unique environment.
Academics:
Eager to engage in challenging academic material and explore subjects in depth
Strong critical thinking skills with a willingness to solve complex problems and tackle new concepts
Learning Style:
Thrives in a hands-on, project-based learning environment where they can apply knowledge creatively
Benefits from experiential learning opportunities, such as experiments, building projects, and real-world applications
Behavior and Independence:
Exhibits positive social skills and consistently respects classroom norms, allowing for a focused learning environment
Does not require behavior interventions or significant redirection, helping maintain a productive, respectful classroom dynamic
Classroom Environment Needs:
Benefits from close teacher guidance to help foster advanced academic growth and personal development
Comfortable in a structured yet flexible learning environment that promotes curiosity, exploration, and academic rigor
Meet the Middle Division Team
MATH TEACHER
B.S. General Studies
Ethan Barbee
ELA TEACHER
Vickie Trice
CIVICS TEACHER
B.A. Fine Arts - K-12 Art Education
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership and Policy
Amanda Fleischbein
SCIENCE TEACHER
B.S. Biology
Zack VanDeman
SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER
AC Mitisek
ELECTIVES TEACHER
B.A. Theatre-Performance
Jessy Julianna
SOCIAL STUDIES & ELECTIVES TEACHER
B.S. Anthropology
Ashton Connell
MATH & SCIENCE TEACHER
B.S. Elementary Education
M.S. Educational Leadership