Middle School Programs and Services

All middle school Crusaders participate in programs and activities listed below under Requirements. These requirements differ by grade. There is also a list of Electives. Electives are programs and activities that Crusaders can choose to take but are not required to take. All our core requirements and electives are designed to help you make the most of your middle school years and to prepare you to go on to high school. Each Crusader also has a Crusade Advisor, whose role is to provide you with the encouragement, support and resources you need to succeed.

 

Requirements

Middle School Orientations

Each school year all Crusaders attend a grade-level orientation. The purpose of this orientation is to provide you with an overview of the school year. You will learn about our grade-level requirements, any changes in our Advisory program, and elective programs and activities you can select. This is also a great opportunity for you to meet other Crusaders. Orientation for 6th grade will take place as part of the Ways to A’s study skills program (see below for a description of Ways to A’s). Orientations for 7th and 8th grades will take place in August.

 

CAAP 101 (Crusade Adventure and Academic Program)

CAAP is our most popular offering – just ask any Crusader who has participated in it. CAAP is a ten-week, high-intensity program designed to build self-esteem and confidence in Crusaders by having them take part in a variety of problem-solving tasks, group challenges and risk-taking adventures. The program wraps up with a ropes course where participants work together in teams and strategize. There is also a literacy component to the program each week. The program runs during the school year for 10 consecutive Saturdays. The first session begins in October and ends in December. The second session begins in March and ends in May. Over the summer, we offer CAAP three times and run it in two-week sessions, Monday through Friday.

 

Advisor Services

Each Crusader has an Advisor whose job is to keep you on the right track by providing you with support, guidance and the resources to help make your middle school years a success. Crusaders are required to meet with their Advisors on a monthly basis.

 

Summer Reading

Crusaders who will be entering the 7th and 8th grade in the fall are required to read two books over the summer and write a book report on each one. To help you choose a book to read, we have developed a list with descriptions of books that we suggest. However, feel free to read any book that you like as long as it is a chapter book, is age-appropriate and is not a book that you have read before. You should receive a letter about summer reading in the mail very soon. The letter will include the book list and two copies of the book report format that we want you to use.

 

Ways to A’s

All incoming 6th graders are required to attend three days of study skills and one day of orientation over the summer. This special summer program is called Ways to A’s. Transportation will be provided for Crusaders who live in Woonsocket, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Providence. Lunch and snacks will also be provided. You will receive a letter in the mail with the assigned dates of your Ways to A's session. If you cannot make the dates you were assigned, please call the Crusade as soon as possible so we can assign you a more convenient time. Attending Ways to A’s is a requirement. Not attending will affect your status as a Crusader.

 

Career Day

Career Day is a conference designed to expose middle school Crusaders to a variety of careers and the people who work in them. Crusaders will learn about the educational requirements and training necessary for different professions.

 

Transition Activities

Over the course of the school year, the middle school team will provide information and activities for 8th grade Crusaders to help ensure a smooth transition from middle school to high school.

 

Cru Club activities

Every middle school Crusader participates in a minimum of 10 hours of Cru Club activities over the course of the school year. You have many activities to pick from. They are:

 

    Academic Enrichment Activities
    Study Skills
    Tutoring
    Homework Help
    Book Club
    Creative Writing Workshops
    Science Workshops

    Social and Personal Development Activities
    Goal Setting
    Life Skills
    Group Mentoring
    Community Service
    Cross-age Activities

    Career Awareness and Exploration
    Career Visits
    Career Guest Speakers
    Career Interest Inventory

    Post-secondary Preparation
    Early College Knowledge
    MyRoad (8th graders only)
    College Visits
     

Electives

In addition to our Requirements, middle school Crusaders can also choose to participate in any combination of the following programs:

 

Saturday Academy – This is a 30-hour program that takes place on 10 Saturdays for three hours a day. Crusaders have the opportunity to improve their reading, writing and math using a hands-on, kid-friendly curriculum.

 

ReadAbout - Our literacy program for sixth-grade Crusaders uses the computer-based ReadAbout curriculum from Scholastic. It includes quiet reading, writing in response to text, and teacher-guided sessions.

 

Career Speakers and Visits – Learn about a variety of careers and the people who work in them by visiting a place of employment or by listening to an invited guest speaker. Crusaders can suggest careers that they are interested in learning more about.

 

College Visits – College visits are scheduled on Saturdays, over school vacations and on teacher in-service days. A college visit gives Crusaders a valuable first-hand look at college life.

 

Exchange City – In this pretend city, Crusaders take on all the roles needed to run the city – mayor, banker, newspaper reporter, business owner, and more!

 

The Write Stuff – Do you need help with your writing? Join us for interesting Saturday writing workshops that focus on media literacy.

 

Financial Literacy – Come after school to learn real-life money skills using activities from Junior Achievement Economics for Success. For 7th and 8th grade Crusaders.

 

Afterschool Science – Learn about lots of science topics, do experiments, and go on field trips. Only at Roger Williams and Nathanael Greene.

 

Kids2College – This program helps you learn about how going to college will help you get a good job in the future.

 

Wheeler Summer Camp – This camp is offered over the summer for three weeks in July. The camp combines fun, learning, swimming and sports in a beautiful setting.

 

Camperships – Crusaders are eligible to apply for an individual campership in the amount of $250 to pay for a camp or lessons of their choice. To be eligible, Crusaders must complete the CAAP program, maintain a C or better in all of their core subjects and receive free or reduced lunch.