At Westtown, Middle School students are empowered to grow into confident, independent learners through intentional structures of support. From Independent Learning Block, where they practice organization and self-direction, to the Learning Center, where individualized guidance builds executive functioning skills, students are encouraged to take ownership of their academic journey. Through the Student Learning Community Seminar, sixth graders receive dedicated time to strengthen habits like goal setting, self-advocacy, and planning—skills they will carry throughout Middle School and beyond.

Independent Learning Block

Middle School is a time when students develop the essential skills to be independent learners. During Independent Learning Block (ILB), students have time to organize and implement their own learning priorities. They can opt into a silent study space, meet with a classroom teacher, or attend a math or writing lab. As they get older, they are given the option to work in the collaboration room, the maker space, the science lab or to get help on presentations. ILB allows students to complete homework but also to practice important organizational skills and priority setting.

Learning Center

The Learning Center is a designated space where students hone their executive functioning skills through direct support from our learning specialist. A student can come to the Learning Center on their own or can be assigned for extra support through the division’s Cycle of Intervention process that the Student Support Team monitors.

Student Learning Community Seminar

Westtown recognizes that the transition from 5th grade to 6th can be exciting and challenging for students. In order to assist our students, they are assigned to a “Student Learning Community” for their entire 6th grade year. The Middle School division’s learning specialist meets with each class once a week for 40 minutes to prioritize the metacognitive aspects of academic performance, i.e., maintaining an academic planner, self-advocacy, goal setting, and task initiation. This relationship of support is held throughout their time in Middle School, and a student can return to the Learning Center during their Independent Learning Block for a refresher or direct intervention.