Upper Class

Seventh and Eighth Grades

Japhet’s oldest students are expected and coached to model the Japhet ideal by accepting challenges, understanding concepts within a global context, and living the Japhet character qualities in their work and social habits.

Upper Class is capped at 18 students.

A team-teaching approach between the middle school teachers enables students to learn in whole-group, small-group, and individual sessions to build confidence and mastery.

Lessons are taught with an understanding that students have multiple learning styles, including the use of an electronic interactive whiteboard.

Upper Class students experience daily Math, Writer’s Workshop, Science, and Social Studies classes, with reading and literature integrated into their units several times each week.

Upper Class students are expected to contribute to current events discussions and are given frequent opportunities to research current events.

Students enjoy seven special classes weekly: Spanish, Phys. Ed., Art, Integrated Technology, Life Skills, Music, and time in the school Library.

Units and benchmarks for Upper Class — which are covered over a two-year cycle — meet or exceed the Michigan and national content and learning standards.

Upper Class students complete daily homework, which varies — independent reading, finishing or redoing math problems for mastery, written work, etc. — an hour to an hour and a half each day.

In Upper Class, students are preparing for the demands and independence of high school, yet they are still learning under the guidance of a nurturing teacher for daily counsel and support. Leadership opportunities include preparing a whole-school Gratitude Service, being fun-loving “big buddies” to elementary students, serving on Student Council, and having Leadership Class with the Head of School. Leadership expectations of eighth-graders, specifically, include being a keynote (25-minute) speaker at one of our weekly character assemblies and delivering a team presentation at our Hands of Hope Reception for donors.