Middle School Student Life

The Middle School student life experience is designed to acknowledge the developmental needs of students in grades 5-8. Students are introduced to USM’s comprehensive advising program, meeting with their adviser every school day. This close student-adviser relationship allows for one-on-one guidance and support, with an emphasis on responsibility and growth, as students develop socially, academically, and emotionally.

Leadership Opportunities
Leadership opportunities present themselves throughout the school year for all Middle School students. Clubs or councils provide opportunities for students to consider issues of importance to the School, represent student opinions, and empower students with leadership skills as members of the school community. Student leaders may also participate in activities such as assisting in Admissions events, working at the snack bar in the Commons, and helping to plan Middle School events.

Arts
In addition to their regular fine arts classes, students may choose to audition for the fall play or the spring musical. An art club is offered during the school year. The seventh and eighth grade chamber orchestra and jazz band is open to students who wish to play beyond their regular classes. Singers may join the honors chorus, and instrumentalists and singers (grades six, seven, and eight) may also participate in the Solo and Ensemble District Festival sponsored by the Wisconsin Music Educators Association.

Athletics
Interscholastic teams begin in fifth and sixth grades with the opportunity to participate in cross country, tackle football, basketball, and track and field. Intramural sports including flag football and kickball are also offered for fifth and sixth grade students. Seventh and eighth grade students may participate in a wider variety of sports. Girls’ sports include field hockey and cross country in the fall; basketball and volleyball in the winter; and tennis, track, and soccer in the spring. Boys’ sports include football, soccer, and cross country in the fall; basketball in the winter; and baseball, tennis, and track in the spring. There is a no-cut policy on all teams. Practices take place after school.

After School Program
The Wildcat Den, our After School Program for students in grades five through eight, provides a supervised environment where students can get homework done, relax with friends, and have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities designed for them. The program runs weekdays from 3:15 until 6:00 p.m.  There is a registration fee and an additional daily charge for this service.

Community Service
Community Service is an integral part of Middle School student life. Service programs are bulit into the Middle School curriculum, as students participate in local food drives, an annual river cleanup, and the Memorial Day tradition where the USM community joins together with Middle School students to “March to the Memorials.”