School’s Approach
At Lenox Academy M.S. 961 we know that middle school students are going through one of the biggest periods of brain growth in their lives, second only to early childhood. During this period of growth, the brain is searching for challenges, intrinsic motivation, safety, and lifelong passions. For this reason, Lenox offers a comprehensive middle school experience, during which students are able to try many things as they seek lasting hobbies, the beginning of career motivations, and interests that will drive their high school selection. We achieve this vision by: Being supportive and caring; Being challenging and engaging; Being career connected; Helping students find their passion and; Helping students find their voice.
Being Supportive and Caring
At Lenox our small size allows all teachers and administrators to know all of their students. We further develop this sense of safety and belonging by providing advisory across all grades where students participate in character education, socio-emotional learning and team building activities to foster strong relationships and truly feel a part of the school.
Being Career Connected
At Lenox we know that students can be inspired in middle school with a spark that leads to a future career. At the very least, they can begin to become aware of the wide variety of career opportunities that exist and make choices for high school and beyond with this knowledge. For this reason, throughout the year Lenox hosts Career Symposiums, through which professional from a variety of careers come to the school to network, lead small group sessions and participate in student led panel-discussions. Topics like journalism, engineering, healthcare and more will be explored each year.
Helping Students Find Their Passions
At Lenox we want students to try many new experiences in middle school. For this reason, we are growing our sports and arts programs, both during school and after school. With our after-school partner Pure Elements we offer opportunities for dance, art, tech, sports and more. During school hours students in every grade participate in elective periods during which they have choices of many dynamic topics like culinary, debate, theater, coding and more to discover their passions and grow their talents.
Being Challenging and Engaging
In Lenox’s warm-demanding classrooms students are challenged to solve real-world and academic problems with the support they need and they engagement they deserve. Lenox provides a path for students to take three Regents exams in 8th grade: Algebra I, English and Living Environment, as well as to take the Spanish Proficiency exam, each of which provides them with an advantage upon entering high school.
Helping students find their voice
At Lenox we are committed to student voice both inside and outside of the classroom. Classrooms have ample opportunities for discussion and dialogue. Student voices also play a large part in school decisions. When there are important decisions being made that effect the school and the students, students in their advisories have formal structures to give feedback on these decisions. In addition, Lenox has an active and robust student government who give direct input into school leadership after gathering ideas from their classmates.