MPCS Middle School

THEIR BEST YEARS YET

While many parents fear the middle school years, MPCS embraces them! We are honored to play a major part in molding students during these formative years — shaping their hearts as well as their intellectual minds. With high expectations for academic effort, guidance for adolescent inquiry, and relevant presentation of the gospel, the MPCS middle school is an experience that many kids remember fondly.

Watch the VIDEO to take a tour of MPCS Middle School!

THOUGHT-PROVOKING CURRICULUM

Learning occurs best through authentic, hands-on activities promoting problem-solving and relevancy. When lessons are presented with creativity and pertinence, adolescent minds are truly engaged. MPCS students experience this through fully-equipped science labs, math manipulatives, classroom debates, real-word experiences, and 1:1 technology integration (Microsoft surface devices and Google Classroom). Questions are encouraged. Conversation is promoted. Critical thinking is fostered.

Teachers are Georgia-certified educators who are dedicated to the Christian faith and committed to integrating biblical Truth into all aspects of school life. Small student-to-teacher ratios are valued for individualized instruction. Grade levels are organized into academic teams of four to five teachers who deliver instruction in core subjects. An exploratory team of teachers provides daily opportunities for student self-expression in a plethora of athletic and creative areas.

Higher-Level Curriculum

Exploratories

1:1 Device Connected Learning Program

Advanced Courses

Directed Studies Program

ABUNDANT EXTRACURRICULAR CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

MPCS middle school students are given opportunities to explore their talents at the same or greater level as their public school peers. Club signups occur after school begins. Students should reach out to the faculty contact directly for more information or to register.

Academic Clubs and Competition

Black History Bowl (Grades 6-8)
(Begins in November; practice is mainly during lunch and recess with competitions on some weekends.)
Students memorize hundreds of facts pertaining to our nation’s Black history to go on to compete in multiple rounds of competition between neighboring schools in Cobb county.
Faculty Contact: Mrs. Ashley Lovato and Mr. Hasani George

Chess Club (Grades 6-8)
(Meets once a week in the morning before school at 7:00 a.m. in room 2272.)
Students will learn and play chess in a fun and educational environment. In addition, participation gives members the opportunity to develop good interpersonal relationships, a competitive spirit, and strategic/critical thinking skills. All levels of players are welcome!
Faculty Contact: Mrs. Selina Raeder

FLL Robotics (Grades 6-8)
(Runs from August until February. Meetings occur on Wednesdays after school.)
FIRST^® LEGO^® League (FLL) Robotics involves robot design and programming using STEAM. The FLL season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments and transitions into high school FIRST^® robotics.
Faculty Contact: Mrs. Randi Terry

French Club (Grades 6-8)
(Runs from October through May. Meetings occur on the first and third Wednesday of the month during middle school lunch/recess from 1:00-1:50 p.m.)
French Club is for anyone interested in the French language/culture. You don’t have to be in French class to join. The class will contain a variety of activities including French games, cooking French foods, enjoying French music and Zumba dancing, and even watching a good movie in French (with English subtitles).
Faculty Contact: Mrs. Tori Byrd

National Junior Honors Society (select students in grades 7 and 8)
(Meets every first and third Thursday of the month during lunch/recess.)
An organization dedicated to service, while promoting the values of scholarship, leadership, character, and citizenship.
Faculty Contact: Mrs. Beth Parsons, Mrs. Victoria Todd, and Mrs. Gabby Pullia

Video Game Club (Grade 6)
(Club meets every other Friday from 7:00-7:30 a.m. throughout the school year)
Video games, when played in moderation, can teach collaboration, solution seeking skills, and innovation. Students will play video games that are labeled “E” (for Everyone). Games include, but are not limited to, Smash Brothers, Mario Kart 8, and TMNT Shredders Revenge.
Faculty Contact: Mr. Derek McCloud

Arts Clubs

Art, drama, dance, chorus, band, and orchestra are available as exploratory classes and as extracurricular activities. A middle school drama and musical are both presented each year (by audition), and middle school students may participate in the marching band program.

Art Club (Grades 6-8)
(Begins September 14 - open studio that meets Wednesdays during lunch/recess)
Middle school Art Club is a year-long club aimed at offering an open studio space for students to explore their creativity and fellowship. Student artists can attend Art Club weekly or as a drop-in basis. All middle school students are welcome!
Faculty Contact: Mrs. Terri White

Honor Chorus (Grades 6-8)
(Begins September 7 and meets every Wednesday morning prior to late start)
Open to any student in middle school who would like to sing. You do not need to be enrolled in middle school chorus classes.
Faculty Contact: Mrs. Tammy Newman
Register

Jazz Ensemble (Grades 6-8)
(December through April; after school one day per week - TBA)
Musicians who have at least one year of experience and play clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass, piano, drumset, or vibraphone are invited to participate. Performances occur on Family Serve Day in the spring and other occasions during the school year.
Faculty Contact: Mr. Billy Flood

Marching Band (Grades 7-8)
(Runs during HS football season)
Musicians who have at least one year of experience are invited to participate. Attendance is flexible for brass and woodwind players; they only need to learn the sheet music packet and attend games when available.

Brass and woodwinds - optional Thursday after school rehearsal; rehearse and perform at varsity football games on Fridays.
Drumline and color guard - rehearse after school on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; rehearse and perform at varsity football games on Fridays.

Faculty Contact: Mr. Billy Flood

Musical Theatre and Drama Productions (Grades 6-8)
Students have the opportunity to audition for fall and spring productions. Information about auditions is provided during morning announcements and sent out in middle school newsletters.
Faculty Contacts: Mrs. Jenn Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Meagan Williams

Spring Drumline (Grades 6-8)
(January through May; after school one day per week - TBA)
Anyone who wants to explore group percussion may participate. Some experience reading sheet music is recommended. Performances are TBA and may include middle school soccer games.
Faculty Contact: Mr. Billy Flood

Athletics

MIDDLE SCHOOL HOUSE SYSTEM

The MPCS middle school consists of five distinct "houses." All 300 middle school students and 30 middle school faculty are divided equally into five different houses based on scripture: Phileo, Chara, Aequitas, Gratia, and Veritas. Each house is led by two house deans (teachers) and two student leaders and contains a chaplain and spirit chairperson. Implementing a "house system" at MPCS is based on years of research by school leadership, including visiting other schools and collecting information about how such a system elevates culture and community.

Click here to watch the video and learn more about the houses.

MPCS Course Catalogue

Spring A/B Schedule 2022-2023

Middle School Highlights:

Service and Discipleship

Class Fairs

Class Trips

WHAT PARENTS SAY:

"Mount Paran has proven a great fit for our son. After being here for a year, we realize what has made this journey so special: balance. Middle school is awkward enough; the students and teachers have provided such a balanced environment that our son seemed to feel at ease here right away. The balance has been a Christian environment, a caring environment for not only their own but for those less fortunate, a comfortable environment where classes are small enough to make class participation inviting, exposure to new types of classes, gourmet lunch every day, a nice balance for athletics and the arts, and a nice balance for being an extension of what we teach at home."

—T. Pless, Parent

Middle School Grades 6-8