Middle School Programs and Services

Core Requirements

Middle School Orientations

Each school year all Crusaders attend a grade-level orientation. The purpose of this orientation is to provide you with an overview of the school year. You will learn about our grade-level requirements, any changes in our Advisory program, and elective programs and activities you can select. This is also a great opportunity for you to meet other Crusaders. Orientation for 6th grade will take place as part of the Ways to A’s study skills program (see below for a description of Ways to A’s). Orientations for 7th and 8th grades will take place in August.

CAAP 101 (Crusade Adventure and Academic Program)

CAAP is our most popular offering – just ask any Crusader who has participated in it. CAAP is a ten-week, high-intensity program designed to build self-esteem and confidence in Crusaders by having them take part in a variety of problem-solving tasks, group challenges and risk-taking adventures. The program wraps up with a ropes course where participants work together in teams and strategize. There is also a literacy component to the program each week. The program runs during the school year for 10 consecutive Saturdays. The first session begins in October and ends in December. The second session begins in March and ends in May. Over the summer, we offer CAAP three times and run it in two-week sessions, Monday through Friday.

 

Advisor Services

Each Crusader has an Advisor whose job is to keep you on the right track by providing you with support, guidance and the resources to help make your middle school years a success. Crusaders are required to meet with their Advisors on a monthly basis.

Summer Reading

Crusaders who will be entering the 7th and 8th grade in the fall are required to read two books over the summer and write a book report on each one. To help you choose a book to read, we have developed a list with descriptions of books that we suggest. However, feel free to read any book that you like as long as it is a chapter book, is age-appropriate and is not a book that you have read before. You should receive a letter about summer reading in the mail very soon. The letter will include the book list and two copies of the book report format that we want you to use.

Ways to A’s

All incoming 6th graders are required to attend three days of study skills and one day of orientation over the summer. This special summer program is called Ways to A’s. Transportation will be provided for Crusaders who live in Woonsocket, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Providence. Lunch and snacks will also be provided. You will receive a letter in the mail with the assigned dates of your Ways to A's session. If you cannot make the dates you were assigned, please call the Crusade as soon as possible so we can assign you a more convenient time. Attending Ways to A’s is a requirement. Not attending will affect your status as a Crusader.

Career Day

Career Day is a conference designed to expose middle school Crusaders to a variety of careers and the people who work in them. Crusaders will learn about the educational requirements and training necessary for different professions. Career Days are offered in October, February and April.

Transition Activities

Over the course of the school year, the middle school team will provide information and activities for 8th grade Crusaders to help ensure a smooth transition from middle school to high school.

Cru Club activities

Every middle school Crusader participates in a minimum of 10 hours of Cru Club activities over the course of the school year. You have several activities to pick from. They are:

Academic Enrichment Activities
Study Skills
Tutoring
Homework Help
Book Club
Creative Writing Workshops
Science Workshops

Social and Personal Development Activities
Goal Setting
Life Skills
Group Mentoring
Community Service
Cross-age Activities

Career Awareness and Exploration
Career Visits
Career Guest Speakers
Career Interest Inventory

Post-secondary Preparation
Early College Knowledge
MyRoad (8th graders only)
College Visits

Electives

In addition to our Core Requirements, middle school Crusaders can also choose to participate in any combination of the following programs:

Saturday Academy – This is a 30-hour program that takes place on 10 Saturdays for three hours a day. Crusaders have the opportunity to improve their reading, writing and math using a hands-on, kid-friendly curriculum called Side Streets.

Adventures in Literacy - Our literacy program for sixth-grade Crusaders uses the computer-based ReadAbout curriculum from Scholastic. It includes quiet reading, writing in response to text, and teacher-guided sessions.

Career Speakers and Visits – Learn about a variety of careers and the people who work in them by visiting a place of employment or by listening to an invited guest speaker. Crusaders can suggest careers that they are interested in learning more about.

College Visits – College visits are scheduled on Saturdays, over school vacations and on teacher in-service days. A college visit gives Crusaders a valuable first-hand look at college life.

Wheeler Summer Camp – This camp is offered over the summer for three weeks in July. The camp combines fun, learning, swimming and sports in a beautiful setting.

Camperships – Crusaders are eligible to apply for an individual campership in the amount of $250 to pay for a camp or lessons of their choice. To be eligible, Crusaders must complete the CAAP program, maintain a C or better in all of their core subjects and receive free or reduced lunch.