Why is there a combined 4th/ 5th grade class at the REACH School?
At The REACH School, having a combined 4/5 class is quite intentional. The transition from grade school to middle school is a pivotal time in a child’s education. Academics become more challenging, as do social interactions. At The REACH School, we believe a combined 4/5 classroom supports children in this transition by offering the time to develop a solid academic and social foundation as part of the REACH community. As REACH students come from a variety of educational backgrounds, the 4/5 classrooms provides a place where a variety of learning styles and levels can be brought together, socially and academically.
Within the classroom, the incoming 4th graders have the benefit of 5th grade classmates that know their way around the classroom, the campus and introduce the norms that the REACH School community values. They also have buddies from the older classes within REACH that they have made either through the all school unity retreat and team building field trip in the first weeks of school or during one of the shared learning opportunities with “clubs”. The younger students know these “big kids” and trust them. The mystery and intimidation of middle school is gone.
Similarly, as the 5th grade half of the class moves on to the 6th grade (the traditional start of middle school), they are already veterans and can help mentor other incoming 6th graders. This class then moves together through their time at the REACH School. We have found that this classroom configuration very successful in creating the community we call REACH.
