WHAT IS ATLAS? ATLAS is school designed expressly around the needs of 7th and 8th graders - preteens in transition, growing out of childhood and into their future as independent thinkers and learners. With classes of just 15 - 18, the students receive personal attention and understanding from their teachers. They work every day with a group of peers, who become their community. Academic essentials are rigorously taught.
Students learn math in a daily Math Lab. A dedicated STEM instructor teaches theory and experiments.
In humanities class, students discuss and write about history, social science, and literature.
Every student has an individual learning plan-to ensure they receive the education that benefits them most.
ATLAS`s use of theatre is unique. Each cohort of students forms a theatre company that mounts four productions over the course of their studies. Students handle every aspect, from analyzing classic plays to engineering the sets. As they plunge into these projects, students hone their research skills.
They also learn life skills: how to innovate, plan ahead, solve problems.
They learn deeply, because they are directing their own learning.
Editor Lucy Gellman of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven interviews Dan Gurvich, former Executive Director of Neighborhood Music School, about ATLAS Middle School.
Middle schoolers are young people in the midst of change,
growing into new identity and seeking a place in the community.
ATLAS helps guide middle schoolers through this exciting,
challenging time. With just 15 - 18 students in a class, the
learning environment is supportive. Teachers know their students
well and can work with them one-on-one.In a small class, students
have room to question, experiment, and grow. Ask any group of
middle schoolers an interesting question, and each one will have an
opinion. ATLAS teachers foster genuine conversation-including
respectful exchanges when opinions differ.Theatre is an ideal
medium for middle schoolers navigating change. As they study plays
of many societies, students find a wide spectrum of situations and
behaviors. Examining characters` motives helps them understand the
emotions and values of others-as well as their own. They find
insights that will stay with them for years and help them become
the people they want to be.
DIVERSITY BY DESIGN
At ATLAS, theatre is a source of empathy and connection and an
avenue for global enquiry. Students learn that they are part of a
shared human experience that transcends borders and differences.
Therefore, a diverse student community is critical to ATLAS.
Student cohorts include many ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
LGBTQIA+ students, exceptional students, and students of varying
life experiences are gladly welcomed. Student financial aid is
essential to this mission. All students of all backgrounds deserve
the opportunity to learn and grow at ATLAS. Fifty percent of
current ATLAS students receive financial aid.This percentage is
comparable to or greater than those of similar independent schools
in the region. Our commitment to financial aid ensures that the
student body will always include diverse ways of thinking and
being. As the students interact with each other, they grow into a
broad understanding of the human community.
THE RIGHT PLACE
ATLAS is part of Neighborhood Music School (NMS) in New Haven -
the largest nonprofit community arts organization in Connecticut,
founded in 1911 and now serving 2,400 students of all ages and
backgrounds. Since its founding, NMS has understood the power of
the arts to transform lives, strengthen communities, and nurture
personal development and wellbeing. ATLAS alsos engages the
cultural richness of our surrounding community through multifaceted
partnerships with organizations such as Long Wharf Theatre and
through student-driven service projects.
Decades ago private schools could have been accused of being elitist. You had to have money to attend. The student populations were fairly homogeneous. Fortunately that has changed.
