Why JK-12

Our Junior Kindergarten through 12th-grade school offers each student a unique learning environment with unparalleled mentorship, leadership, and collaboration opportunities across school levels and subjects bolstered by vast resources and facilities. Learn more about our intentional JK-12 curriculum and the numerous opportunities for students of every age to learn from and with one another.

The JK-12 Details

Essential, and Expected

When children come to Beasley, the educational opportunities abound. The resources and connections of a larger school support the welcoming environment of our nurturing classrooms. Even our youngest students have access to maker spaces and a world-class aquatics center, theaters and playing fields. They are guided by teachers who understand children from their earliest learning experiences through their preparation for college and life beyond. From the very beginning, students are given leadership opportunities within their class and, if needed, appropriate academic challenges through cross-grade experiences. Once students reach 4th grade, they participate in capstone projects that further develop their leadership skills and help prepare them for the transition to Middle School. That transition is carefully guided, the result of a natural, sequential and seamless program designed to position students for success. All these are essential parts of a school that welcomes children as young as 4 and as old as 18.

Beyond Expectations

What’s harder to see from the outside, though, is the strength of our community spirit. Children at Beasley join in the fun of Homecoming Spirit Week, learn about helping others during the school-wide Turkey Train food donation campaign and celebrate Ram Spirit at all-school assemblies. They have the incredible opportunity to see their own future through their interactions with older students within an environment that nourishes them as they learn about their world and themselves. Middle and Upper School students connect with each other and with Beasley friends through academic work, coaching and in social-emotional skill-building exercises. 

For instance, AP® Psychology students in the Upper School collaborate with Lower Schoolers in a cross-divisional project that focuses on childhood development. The Upper Schoolers study cognitive, physical and social development through peer-to-peer and parent interactions. They extended their observations to Lower Schoolers by visiting JK, 1st, 3rd and 4th grades during different classes and collect data that correlate with childhood development concepts. In turn, the Beasley students use the opportunity to give the Upper Schoolers insight on what they’ve been working on in class—literacy and reading, social studies and even cup stacking during P.E. The older students also visited with 3rd grade classmates to learn how we use mindfulness at Beasley and AP® Physics students work with JK Science classes. 

A wonderful MICDS tradition is when our graduating seniors walk through the Upper, Middle and Lower Schools during their last week, sharing high-fives with their cheering, younger classmates. These interactions lead to a natural community and important mentoring as experienced students play with, perform for and even teach younger students.

 

A Whole Child(hood) Program

As our students grow, they welcome new friends and experience expanded social, academic and extracurricular opportunities while working with adults who genuinely know them, care for them and support them from Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade. Our JK-12 Department Chairs carefully craft curricula that introduce ideas, processes and content at intentional times, providing a foundation for growing sophistication and deep ownership of understanding and application in each discipline. There is a thoughtful spiraling of curriculum where common language is introduced early and built upon as students move through the JK-12 program. Horizontal and vertical alignment of curriculum and social-emotional development is evident throughout all 14 years, providing unparalleled continuity and strength of experience.

Unique JK-12 Experiences

Read just a few of our cross-divisional stories.

Leadership & Mentorship
Varsity Cheer + Beasley Students

Varsity Cheerleading Leads Clinic for Beasley Students

The MICDS Varsity Cheerleading squad hosts a popular cheer clinic, welcoming around 30 enthusiastic young athletes from Beasley Lower School. This exciting three-day event provides a unique opportunity for the next generation to experience the thrill of cheerleading firsthand.. Read story here!

Unique Collaborations
Senior Kindergarteners + AP Psychology Students

Upper School Psychology Bridges Theory and Reality With Kindergarteners

In a lighthearted blend of education and camaraderie, Upper School AP Psychology students recently spent time with Senior Kindergarten students in the vibrant world of Lower School. Leaving their textbooks behind, they buddied up and bridged the gap between theory and reality, immersing themselves in the nuances of developmental psychology. Read story here!

Mentorship
Seventh Graders + Fourth Graders

Seventh Grade Explores New Mentoring Opportunity

To build yet another bridge between Lower and Middle School, one of our Middle School deans, Eric Taylor, created a small team of seventh-grade students to mentor their fourth-grade schoolmates in Beasley. One of the student mentors shared, “I envision making a positive impact as a mentor by showing the younger kids ways to work together, be kind, be a leader, try their best, and work hard.” Read the story!

 

Peer Support
Upper Schoolers Mentor Middle Schoolers

Upper Schoolers Empower Middle Schoolers in Peer-to-Peer

The MICDS Upper School Peer-to-Peer (P2P) program is our student-created mentorship program where Upper Schoolers meet with seventh and eighth graders throughout the academic year to tackle important topics. These Upper School mentors connect six times during the year with each grade level in seventh- and eighth-grade advisory sessions. All of their time together is centered on the Peer-to-Peer Mission: empowering Middle School students to think critically, act responsibly, and nurture compassion. Read the story!

Inspiration in the Arts
Lower + Middle + Upper School Students

MICDS Orchestras Shine at Spring Concerts

Students across the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools have the opportunity to learn a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, and bass) which they get to perform together in our orchestra concerts. The Spring 2025 concert included a full Brauer Auditorium stage where students played such works as In Dreams from The Lord of the Rings and highlights from Wicked. Read the story!

Traditions
Full School Community

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year—Homecoming

Homecoming at MICDS is an all-school celebration for Rams of every age, from Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade, and their families along with alumni, faculty, and staff. All are invited to participate in the numerous fun-filled activities. From Spirit Week dress-up days and the all-school pep rally to the sporting events, carnival, fun run, bonfire, and dance, there is something for everyone to enjoy each year. Read the story!

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Glimpse the fun at our JK-12 school.