We asked parents how they felt in middle school. This is what they said:
At Wellan, we believe Middle School can be so much better, so we reimagined it.
IMAGINE A BETTER KIND OF MIDDLE SCHOOL WHERE STUDENTS ARE…
NOT AIMLESS
BUT DRIVEN
Maggie, Class of 2023 | Brookline High School
Our two-year middle school program is designed for highly motivated 7th and 8th graders. All Wellan middle schoolers share a class, collaborating on meaningful academic and personal challenges. All students engage with the same core curriculum, with individual differentiation provided to meet specific needs, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Our program emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, in-depth exploration, and real-world skill application.
NOT ISOLATED
BUT COLLABORATIVE
Sophia, Class of 2022 | Cambridge School of Weston
The middle school years are a critical time for students to build confidence in themselves as learners and develop self-advocacy skills to articulate their unique needs and perspectives. Wellan’s approach to social-emotional development utilizes research-based curricula to discuss, teach, and empower students to understand themselves and others.
NOT INTIMIDATED
BUT EMPOWERED
Maggie, Class of 2023 | Brookline High School
Autonomy is fundamental to our educational philosophy. Students have the freedom to move between classrooms during the work cycle, select their electives each semester, and make choices within their work. Rather than assigning specific tasks as “homework”, students are simply assigned “work.” Students are expected to independently manage their workload, and are empowered to seek support from their teachers whenever needed.
NOT LOST
BUT PREPARED
Calum, Class of 2022 | The Newman School
Our program helps students understand their learning styles, strengths, and growth areas, enabling them to develop organization, prioritization, and planning skills. They explore tools and strategies to manage tasks, refine study habits, and build independence. With ongoing support, they gain confidence and self-reliance, preparing them for long-term success.
NOT BORED
BUT INSPIRED
Sebastian, Class of 2022 | Beaver Country Day School
Middle school students are most inspired when they’re fully engaged. Seeing real-world applications of their learning boosts their investment exponentially. Our integrated curriculum offers immersive, in-depth experiences around key curricular themes and essential questions, emphasizing relevance, practicality, and multidisciplinary understanding.
NOT AWKWARD
BUT CONFIDENT
Sophia, Class of 2022 | Cambridge School of Weston
Wellan’s curricular balance between freedom and responsibility equips students with the motivation and executive functioning skills necessary to take on academic challenges, leadership roles, and civic responsibility with a spirit of adventure. We teach students to honor differences, engage with social issues, and think critically about and respond to instances of oppression. Equipped with a ‘toolbox’ for navigating a changing world, they are empowered to speak out thoughtfully against injustice.
NOT JUDGED
BUT SAFE
Maggie, Class of 2023 | Brookline High School
Wellan students develop close relationships not only with peers, but with teachers, mentors, and advisors as well. Together with their faculty mentor, their dedicated advisor, and their classroom teachers, students set goals, celebrate successes, address challenges, navigate social life, and reflect on progress. These relationships serve as consistent touchpoints for students as they navigate the challenges of early adolescence.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOULDN'T BE SOMETHING YOU ENDURE
MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOULD BE SOMETHING YOU LOVE
Isla, Class of 2024 | Rivers High School
Our middle school program takes a holistic and integrated approach to curricular design that prioritizes multi-disciplinary study and leads to more robust discussions of complex ideas and deeper understanding of content. Our approach intentionally contrasts with conventional middle school programs in which academic subjects are presented as separate, unrelated fields of study. We give students the freedom to pursue topics they’re passionate about from unique and encompassing angles, and we help them develop the habit of thinking critically and creatively about big ideas.
Wellan students maintain curiosity and wonder throughout their educational journey, and they engage meaningfully with subject matter through fresh and practical applications of their learning.
We’re committed to the idea that middle school can and should be so much more than something students simply endure. We know what makes learning exciting for adolescents, and every facet of our program is designed to complement their development and meet their needs. We’re able to inspire, challenge, and empower our middle schoolers to achieve greatness because we understand adolescent development. Wellan middle schoolers love school because we love middle schoolers.
RESEARCH DRIVEN APPROACH.
PROVEN BY HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENTS.
