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.
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.