Middle School Students
We are committed to helping our students become their best selves, in and out of the classroom. This page is all about the many opportunities at Beaver to explore, learn, develop ideas, deepen understanding, and have fun as a community outside of the classroom!
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The Beaver Middle School Experience
What’s it really like to be a Beaver Middle School student? Let our students tell you!
Community Times
Our schedule is structured to allow for community bonding times for the entire Middle School. The week starts with a Middle School Moment on Monday, followed by Middle School Meetings every Tuesday, and grade-level community time on Thursdays. We also have seasonal events like BVRFest, Winter Carnival, and Spring Fling.
Middle School Moment is a quick touchpoint with students on Monday mornings, where students enjoy a snack and a few brief announcements.
why we have this time
We feel it is important to start the week together as a community—whether it’s to share information or simply see each other, face-to-face.
Middle School Meeting is a student-led full division meeting where students share highlights from the past week, announcements regarding upcoming events and opportunities, and logistical notes relevant to the student body
Why we do this
Middle School Meeting creates leadership and public speaking opportunities for students, and it’s a way to make sure all students hear important information and have time to ask questions. It also creates a framework to share information home with families (in our weekly MS Minute Recaps), and provides a space to showcase great things happening in the MS.
These seasonal events are community bonding events where all Middle School students can opt-in to several activities. Middle School Student Council helps with the planning and execution of these events.
Why we do this
Middle School is FUN! And we enjoy getting together as a community to celebrate and have a good time.
Clubs, Groups, and Programming
There are many different ways students can be involved and lead in the Middle School. Most clubs, groups, and programming meet during lunch/recess, and students can pick more than one option each day or week.
Graham Dam
Graham Dam
Small group lunches with the MS Counselor, Tammy Graham.Admission Ambassadors
Admission Ambassadors
Help the Admission Office with events, tours, and reaching out to prospective families.RISE
RISE
Learn ways to destress and be better prepared to face the challenges of life.Student Body Advisory Council (SBAC)
Student Body Advisory Council (SBAC)
Make Beaver Better.Student Council
Student Council
Lead, Plan, Do!CREATE
CREATE
Coding, robotics, engineering, art, technology, and everything in between.The Times of Boston
The Times of Boston
Student-run newspaper covering the news of the world.Lego League
Lego League
A competition that focuses on scientific and real-world challenges. Meets Tuesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays during recess.Speech & Debate
Speech & Debate
Debate team run by Lumos for grades 6-8. Meets Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.Yearbook
Yearbook
Design the Middle School yearbook pages for the 24-25 school year.Affinity Groups are a(an):
- Safe space meant for students who share a particular identity
- Space to speak from the “I” perspective
- Affirming space for students and faculty leaders to be in the community
- Explorative space for students to further explore their shared identity
- Space to raise Awareness in the community
The following affinity spaces are offered in our middle school:
Jewish Affinity Group
Jewish Affinity Group
Open to all Jewish-identifying students.Students of Color Affinity Group
Students of Color Affinity Group
Open to all students of color.Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Affinity Group
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Affinity Group
Open to all students who identify as Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander.Multiracial Affinity Group
Multiracial Affinity Group
Open to all students who identify as more than one raceStudents of Divorced Parents/Caregivers
Students of Divorced Parents/Caregivers
Open to all students of divorced parents/caregiversAn ally space is open to all who identify as the group and/or for those who wish to explore, learn, and develop allyship.
The following ally spaces are offered in our Middle School:
SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance)
SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance)
Open to all students who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and/or for those who wish to explore, learn, and develop allyshipExpanding the MS Classroom
R-Time is a structured time (2x per week by advisory group) for students to do all sorts of things to support their learning. R-TIME is a great time to meet with teachers and peers, and students regularly visit Math R-Time to get extra help and dig deeper into topics. They can also complete assignments, grab a book from Research Level or the mobile library near Ms. Smith’s office, practice their instrument at Music R-TIME, work on their SIP (Student Inspired Project), clean out their backpack, and use some materials on the Design Level.
Feed Your Brain is an ongoing series where we encourage students to consume and create content outside the classroom. Think of it as strength and conditioning for the mind and an opportunity for students to further expand their interests and discover new ones. From books to podcasts to coding to meditating, there’s no one way to feed your brain. Community members share how they’re feeding their brains at our weekly MS Meetings and in our Feed Your Brain Book Buffet to further inspire one another. We also regularly compile blog posts of additional ideas and remind our community to feed their brain during all school intercessions.
Middle School Feed Your Brain: Summer 2024 Edition!
Middle School Feed Your Brain: Summer 2024 Edition!
Middle School Feed Your Brain: Summer 2023 Edition!
Middle School Feed Your Brain: Summer 2023 Edition!
MS Recap: Feed Your Brain Outside the Classroom Conference
MS Recap: Feed Your Brain Outside the Classroom Conference
Hey, Middle School students! Let’s Feed Your Brain (summer 2022 edition)
Hey, Middle School students! Let’s Feed Your Brain (summer 2022 edition)
The “BVR Student” is a list of skills and habits that make up the whole student—the person they are in and out of the classroom. From working hard to being kind to practicing self care, we regularly reflect on this list as a Middle School community. This ensures students get what they need to be successful in school and in the world.
During the academic year, students are invited to opt-in to a series of monthly workshops through the Hiatt center. Through these workshops, students will build skills and deepen their understanding of leadership, civic engagement, and social justice. The workshops are flexible so students may sign up for a single workshop that interests them or engage in the entire series. Participation in six or more workshops will award students with a Hiatt Leadership Institute Certificate of Completion.
The Middle School Social Justice Retreat is a day-long opportunity for middle school students to learn and reflect about their identities, their interactions within a diverse society, and their role in the creation of a more just, safe, and accessible world for all.
More details about this year’s Social Justice Retreat coming soon.
