Morning
Current events and humanities
Students begin with news, discussion, reading, and writing. They practice explaining a view, listening carefully, and using evidence to support an idea.
Ages 11–13
Middle school with room to grow
Middle schoolers here are taken seriously. Small groups, real mentorship, and genuine project work help them build academic habits, voice, and readiness for high school.
A real day
Structure, responsibility, and room to grow
Middle schoolers get a clear plan and close adult support, along with increasing responsibility for their work, time, and follow-through.
Midday
Research and longer projects
Longer work is broken into visible steps. Students research, interview, write, record, revise, and learn how to carry a project through to a public result.
Afternoon
Outdoor learning and reflection
Outdoor study and individual project work are balanced with movement and time to review what was finished and what needs attention next.
The academics
How each subject is taught
The method is the proof. Families should be able to see how the work actually happens, not just hear that it is personal.
Humanities
Students read, write, research, and discuss big questions with adults who take their ideas seriously.
How it works
- Literature, history, writing, and presentation
- Evidence-based discussion and argument
- Public exhibitions of finished work
Individualized pacing
If your child is ahead, or needs more time
A student can stretch in one subject while getting extra practice in another. Multi-age learning works best when it is specific, honest, and flexible.
When a student is ready to move ahead
Teachers can add challenge, depth, or the next skill as soon as current work is steady. Moving ahead does not require leaving the classroom community.
When a student needs more support
Small groups make gaps visible quickly. Teachers can slow the pace, change the explanation, and rebuild confidence alongside the skill.
What families can expect
Teachers notice changes in effort, confidence, and understanding, then talk directly with families about what they are seeing and what comes next.
Meet the teachers
Teachers who know each student well
Tanya Apana
Founder, Director, High School & Middle School Teacher
I received my BS in Biology, science teaching certification and Masters in Education for Transformative School Leadership from Iowa State University. I started my teaching career as a high school science teacher but finally found my niche creating an independent learning community. I have been leading Main Street School since its inception in 2006. Apart from a passion for teaching, I enjoy spending time with my 3 kids and 2 dogs, travelling, digging in the dirt and playing in nature.
Read full bio
Renée Potts
Middle School Teacher
Renée began her teaching career as a teacher's aide in Texas before completing her early childhood education certification. She has worked as a paraprofessional in elementary and middle school, a behavioral specialist in special education, an in-home behavioral specialist, and a pre-kindergarten teacher. She loves being in the classroom and, outside school, enjoys camping, hiking, writing, painting, and playing music with her wife.
Read full bioQuestions families ask
Questions about middle school life
Peer fit, growing independence, and the shape of the school day all matter at this stage.
Will my child have enough peers in a very small school?
There is no single right group size for every student. Visit while school is in session, notice how your child responds, and ask about friendships, group work, mixed-age time, and any specific social concern.
How do teachers help students manage longer projects and deadlines?
Students get a clear plan and close adult support while taking increasing responsibility for their work, time, and follow-through. Teachers break longer projects into visible steps and use goal-setting and check-ins.
What does a typical middle school day look like?
Students begin with current events, discussion, reading, and writing; spend time on research and longer projects; and balance outdoor study with individual work and reflection.
A different kind of middle school
If traditional middle school feels like the wrong fit, come see what ours looks like and bring the questions that matter most.