A Letter from the Principal
 
Welcome to Middlesex Middle School!
We are the public school for Darien students in grades six through eight. Middlesex has been a school serving children between the elementary and high school grades since 1937. In 1983, Middlesex became a middle school, where the philosophical focus is on teaching the "total child." We do this by addressing the intellectual, social, physical and emotional needs of a child in a rigorous, challenging academic program.
A signature characteristic of most middle schools is the Team Program. At Middlesex, each student becomes a member of an academic team of approximately 80-90 students. Each team has five teachers, each representing a major discipline (Language Arts 1, Language Arts II, Math, Social Studies and Science). Only his or her team teacher for that subject will teach students on a specific team. Every day team teachers and grade level guidance counselors meet to plan instruction, monitor student progress, coordinate parent communication, develop student study skills and schedule team activities. The primary benefit of the team concept is that it provides a balanced and coordinated school experience. For example, daily homework and long term assignments and projects are assigned so that a child does not have three tests or extensive projects due on one day. Parents are welcome to meet with a teacher or team at any time and should call the grade level guidance counselor or team leader to schedule a meeting.
Complementing the core academic program is a special subject schedule of music, art, computer, technology education, family studies and physical education. These are required courses of all students. All students also participate in Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) at the beginning of each day.
At Middlesex, student activities are another key component of the total school program. Our teachers and staff are adult advisors and leaders in the Club, Sports, Enrichment and Advisory Programs.
Students can pursue interests as diverse as chess, debating, journalism or golf, through more than 25 clubs that meet every other week during the school day; some clubs also meet after school and on weekends. The sports program is a competitive in-house league that meets daily after school in five-week sessions year-round. The after-school enrichment program offers the students non-sports opportunities in the fall and spring.
Parents also can participate in Middlesex by attending monthly Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings, and by volunteering in the school or with team activities. For example, the Middlesex Message Center in the main lobby is staffed totally by parents. I encourage parental involvement because the support of our parents has always been an important ingredient in the success of Middlesex.
I am proud that Middlesex has been selected as a National Blue Ribbon School. Taking a page from our team approach, I believe teachers, staff, students and parents working together as a team can continue to make Middlesex Middle School an educational asset to the community.
 
Debi Boccanfuso
Principal
Middlesex Middle School
 
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Middlesex Middle School
204 Hollow Tree Ridge Rd.
Darien CT 06820
203-655-2518