Overview
The Lucy A. Willard Academic Complex features state-of-the-art classrooms, a student activity center, forest trails, and a pond for outdoor exploration. Students benefit from the beautiful campus and are permitted the freedom to explore.
Small class sizes promote close relationships. Programs such as the House and mentoring groups allow students to bond and learn the importance of community. While technology is an integral part of our day, we emphasize soft skills and values that students require for success.
The college-preparatory curriculum focuses on academic preparation. Study skills, time management, and organization build a strong foundation for high school and beyond. Various fine arts and physical education electives allow students to explore their interests. Students work one-on-one with teachers during tutorial times. Our middle school program prepares students for upper school and beyond.
Academic Curriculum
Language Arts
The reading program builds fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Focus is placed on daily grammar practice and the writing process. Students develop skills by integrating reading, writing, listening, speaking, language, and vocabulary. Students read literary (novels, short stories, poetry) and informational texts (articles, autobiographies, websites) and write argumentative, informative, and narrative pieces.
Math
The advanced curriculum focuses on mastery, achieved through intentionally sequencing concepts. Instead of rote memorization and drilling concepts through similar problems, we teach students to think mathematically, rely on the theory, and build on ideas.
Science
Following national science standards, students are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of their world. Science courses are hands-on, include using our campus and surrounding parks, and allow students to demonstrate knowledge through speaking and projects. Middle school courses include Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science.
Social Studies
Students study Georgia, American, and World History. Students actively learn through meaningful field trips and projects focusing on social relationships, societies, governments, and cultures.
Writing
Students move from imitation to innovation in writing throughout all middle school subjects. They develop confidence in speaking and writing while gradually working toward greater independence and creativity. Stylistic techniques (strong verbs, quality adjectives, sentence openers) are taught incrementally to move students from basics into sophisticated writing. Working through the writing process, students use collaboration activities to learn group listening, speaking, and public speaking skills.
Academic Resource Center
Working closely with students and families, the resource center assists students transitioning from lower to middle school. Faculty meets with students to regularly assist with completing tasks: planning, organization, time management, self-awareness, working memory, self-control, attention, flexibility, and perseverance. Students build skills to work efficiently and effectively while completing daily tasks.
Academic Resource Center Services
- Screenings and provider referral and interpretation of psycho-educational testing
- 1:1 private tutoring on campus (additional cost)
- Occupational Therapy space for private providers
- Coaching and classroom support
Afterschool Sports/Activities
An after-school program is available for lower school students with fine arts or sports development programs offered daily. Beginning in the sixth grade, middle school students are able to compete on school athletic teams. Offerings provide multiple opportunities to develop confidence, competence, and leadership skills.
5th-Grade Clubs & Sports
- Tome Society (Literary Club)
- Synchronized Swimming/Water Polo
- Community Swim Team
- Golf Club
- Tennis Club
6th - 8th-Grade Clubs & Sports
- Tome Society (Literary Club)
- Science Olympiad
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bass Fishing
- Cheer
- Cross Country
- Equestrian
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swim
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Character and Community Building
At Tallulah Falls Middle School, we focus on soft skills, which are often overlooked but directly affect the success of our students and the importance of relationships and community. To create a culture of community and apply real-life applications, two programs are integrated into our daily school life: the Tallulah 12 and the House system. The Tallulah 12 is a set of guiding principles that inspire character, confidence, and commitment. Groups of students, Houses, promote social connections and leadership opportunities. Houses provide a forum to involve students in the school community, collaborative projects, and friendly competition.
Counseling & Academic Resource Center
Counselors provide a range of student learning and behavioral services. Our counseling program is designed to help all students with academic achievement strategies, emotions, interpersonal skills management, and planning for postsecondary options. We do this collaboratively through individual and small group counseling, classroom guidance, grade-level meetings, and various learning activities designed to teach self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, social awareness, and self-management.
The school counselor provides bi-weekly school counseling/classroom guidance lessons with fun, interactive activities to help teach essential life skills.
Fine Arts
Our unique schedule allows all students to participate in fine arts during their lower and middle school experience. Through drama, music, chorus, and art classes, we create an appreciation for the arts and a proper understanding of the importance of their role in the educational process.
Learning outside the classroom
Field trips offer a unique opportunity for students to create connections, which will help them gain understanding and develop an enjoyment of learning. Students on field trips sharpen their observation and perception skills by utilizing all their senses.
Students are visual learners, and a field trip lets them touch, feel, and listen to what they're learning about, building on classroom instruction, gaining a better understanding of topics, understanding cultures, and exposing them to worlds outside their community.
Technology
Traditional teaching methods include an educator delivering information at the front of the classroom. Students are passive participants in classic lectures. Technology in the classroom helps students engage with the material. Technology enables students to become active learners, from online educational games to immersive virtual reality. At TFS, technological resources include interactive boards in every classroom, a 1:1 laptop program, Z space labs, virtual reality, campus-wide internet access, computing classes, and IT support.
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