Middle School Grades 5-8

Dedicated to providing an academic environment that encourages educational excellence and emphasizes experiences that assist a student’s social and emotional growth.

School Day

8:00 AM - 3:15 PM

Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 AM

2023-2024 School Calendar

Community Engagement

Parent and family involvement is appreciated at Independent. We have an active Parent Association and hold several events throughout the year, including assisting with homecoming, grandparent's day, and many middle school celebrations and activities.

Academic Approach

Our Middle School spans grades five through eight, a structure that gives our students a four-year period in which to develop organization, independence, and autonomy. With a learning environment designed to nurture academic, social, and physical growth, our Middle School students are continually engaged in hands-on learning and research-based projects. Service opportunities, activities, and athletics strengthen the sense of community, develop teamwork skills, and promote friendships.

World Language

Fine Arts

Clubs & Activities

Athletics

Athletics are available at each grade level at The Independent School. 5th grade and 6th grade sports are part of our Panther Cub Athletics Program while 7th and 8th graders compete for Independent in a variety of leagues including the Central Plains Middle School League (CPMSL). With our “no-cut” athletics policy, students can participate in any sport they choose.

CPMSL Athletics (7th/8th Grade):

Football
Cross Country
Volleyball
Basketball
Track & Field

6th through 8th Grade Athletics:

Tennis
Cheerleading
Bowling

Panther Cub Athletics (5th/6th Grade):

Cheerleading
Football
Volleyball
Basketball
Track & Field
Softball
Baseball

Advisory Classes

Students are supported through an advisory program that bolsters their social and emotional development, hones organizational and executive functioning skills, and allows students an opportunity to explore something new through a Deep Dive elective. Students can change their Advisories each semester. Advisory opportunities include culinary skills, publications, outdoor sports, and technology.

Curriculum

Students take 5 core classes: English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and World Languages. They have the opportunity to take 2 electives, including Band, Choir, Drama, Digital Art, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Health, and STEM.

Garvey Excellence Series

In the fall of 2023, The Independent School is introducing the Garvey Excellence Series (GES) of courses for motivated middle and upper school students. GES offers rigorous foundational courses to prepare students for Advanced Placement (AP) and dual credit courses later on.

What Courses Are Offered?

Why Now?

With the implementation of programs like the new Medical Track, there is an opportunity to expand course offerings to allow students to better tailor their time at The Independent School to fit their academic goals. GES courses are designed to provide students with the skills necessary to excel in their current grade level but to also prepare them for the rigors of Advanced Placement (AP) and dual credit courses as juniors and seniors.

Who Can Take GES Courses?

Why Take GES Courses?

How Do GES Courses Differ From Grade-Level Courses?

GES courses will offer students the opportunity to delve more deeply into the subject area they are studying. They will be asked to identify, discuss, and do further research on areas of personal interest. GES courses can take student learning a step further due to student aptitude and their willingness to participate fully in the key elements of these classes. These classes are not merely more work, they are more application, understanding, and analysis with a focus on student-motivated research and learning.

Meet Ms. Schmitz

Ms. Jodi Schmitz became the Head of the Independent Middle School in 2021. Ms. Schmitz has been invested in education for over 15 years. Prior to her current position, she taught in the Lower School, spending 8 years in the third grade classroom and 2 years as the school’s library media specialist. During her time at the Lower School, she served as the division’s lead teacher for six years.

Ms. Schmitz was born and raised on a small family farm in northeast Kansas. She graduated from Kansas State University in 2007 with a degree in elementary education, emphasis in special education. She started her teaching career on the base of Fort Riley, where she taught 2nd grade for three years. In 2011, she accepted a job with The Independent School. When touring the school, shortly after her interview with TIS, she noticed how similar this large city private school was to her small 1A upbringing. From the family feel on campus to the numerous activities and ways to get involved, she knew that this was the perfect place for her.

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