Middle Ground is a dynamic program tailored to meet the unique educational and social needs of middle school students.  Middle Ground provides a pathway for our middle school participants to become more involved, committed and empowered in their own academic success, blending intense literacy instruction with leadership and personal development.

Grades six, seven and eight represent a particularly hazardous stage for many young people.  Studies show that, if left to chance, it is at this point that students are most vulnerable to losing interest in school, detaching from positive role models and beginning to engage in a variety of unhealthy behaviors. 

Among other things, Middle Ground features the following components:

• An intensive literacy program comprised of independent student reading and teacher reading, oral language, vocabulary and comprehension activities, writing and reading games.  Middle Ground also utilizes a standards-based independent reading program designed to inspire, track and reward reading achievement.
• Clubs, which create opportunities for students to explore fashion, business, drama, music, journalism and other interests and expand their interests and perspectives.
• High school transition guidance and support, which helps students and their parents to navigate the complex high school selection process and positions students to attend top-performing high schools in New York City. 
• Student portfolios and vision statements, which hold students accountable for their educational and personal development. Students set personal goals at the beginning of each academic year and engage in guided self-reflection and self-evaluation throughout the year. 
• Training in conflict-resolution and peer mediation.

Middle Ground has a comprehensive array of engaging, age-appropriate programming that are proven to keep middle school students engaged as they develop skills and habits that will lead to success in high school.