As children move into middle school, our curriculum and programmes begin preparing them for the challenges of high school. Children in this age group have a growing, if unarticulated, need to shoulder responsibility and be allowed independence. We give them opportunities to meet these needs, against the backdrop of the structure and support required to be successful in their efforts. The focus is on both academic content and the development of essential skills like critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and the ability to speak and write effectively. Children are divided into separate houses and all group activities within the class are done according to house-based grouping. This teaches them to cooperate and work as a group. It also teaches them to help each other as they soon realize that the chain is only as strong as its weakest link.