Frequently Asked Questions

Middle School students should be at school by 8 a.m., and they are dismissed at 3 p.m.

In Grades 5 and 6, teachers generally assign 15-20 minutes of homework three to four nights per week in each major subject area. This assignment increases to 15-30 minutes in Grades 7 and 8. All Middle School grade levels have math homework about five nights per week. In general, after study halls and tutorial time, Grade 5 and 6 students might expect 30-90 minutes of homework per night, and Grade 7 and 8 students have about 1-2 hours.

Beginning in Grades 7 and 8, long-term projects might increase the workload to five nights of homework per week.

Parents of Middle School students are encouraged to be an active part of their children's academic team. Parents can work behind-the-scenes to support various educational activities, or they can assist with competitions like We the People and Science Fair. They can also chaperone trips, help with social events, provide snacks for advisory meetings, and run concessions at athletic events. Although Middle School is a time for students to develop their independence, we think parents naturally play an important part in students' academics.

Yes. All Middle School students are expected to wear a school uniform. You can check out uniform requirements here.

Students are encouraged to get involved and try various sports and clubs. Most of our activities meet between one and three times per week for 30 minutes to 2 hours each time. Clubs and sports are a great way to make friends, develop interests, and exercise body and mind. We do caution parents to make be sure that their children are not overbooked with commitments outside of school.

The primary support structure for students is the advisory system. Each student meets with a faculty advisor in an advisory group of 10-12 students each day. This 30-minute period is a time to establish friendships, develop leadership skills, and grow a positive relationship with a faculty member. This is also a great to to explore grade-level social skills like navigating new beginnings, building friendships, and developing decision-making skills.

Advisors meet once per week to discuss student concerns and progress. They also review mid-term and term grades with students and help them set goals for the coming term. Advisors are also the primary contacts for parents.

Beyond the advisory system, students can meet with teachers for extra help during tutorial or before or after school, and the school psychologist is available to assist students who demonstrate a need for screening or behavioral correction.

Yes! Participating on a team teaches many skills beyond those of a given sport. Students learn to balance their schedules and manage their time, and they develop leadership and confidence in the process. They also learn the importance of physical activity as a lifelong health habit while having fun. Our all-inclusive athletics program gives all students a chance to take advantage of these benefits, and, as as a result, 80-90 percent of students participate in a sport over the course of a school year.

In Grades 5 and 6, the emphasis is on the benefits of participation, which include social growth, team concepts, exposure to the athletic environment and enjoyment. We use the acronym EARNS for these grade levels: Effort - Attitude - Respect -No Nonsense - Sincerity

In Grades 7 and 8, the emphasis is on the development of athletic skill, including individual skills, team strategies, and roles within a team. We use the acronym EARNS for these grade levels: Effort - Attitude - Respect -No Nonsense - Skill

Field trips are a fundamental part of a student’s educational experience at Canterbury. Trips vary considerably in their duration, destination, and design; however, they are all important components of the curriculum at each grade level. We consider each trip an opportunity to expand learning, broaden horizons, and enrich the overall educational experience a student receives at Canterbury.

Yes, Bus Service is available to all Middle School students. This is handled on an individual basis, and parents should work with the Middle School Director and Transportation Director to make necessary arrangements.

We offer several bus routes throughout Allen County, as well as several outlying communities. Student pick up is not door-to-door, but is generally at a common pick-up and drop-off point in close proximity to a child’s neighborhood. Learn more about transportation services here.

Yes! We have a registered nurse on staff, Monday to Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.