Middle School FAQ – Denver Montclair International School

Middle School FAQ

DMIS, one of Denver’s top private schools, has opened a middle school. We’re currently enrolling 6th and 7th grades for the 2012-13 academic year.

DMIS started with an inaugural class of 6th graders in the fall of 2011, and will launch the seventh grade in 2012 and the eighth grade in 2013.

We’re pleased to answer some of the most commonly asked questions we have received about our new middle school. If you would like more information, contact Marketing and Communications Manager Kate Ashley Paquette at kate.paquette@dmischool.com.

Why open a middle school at DMIS?

Expanding our school through 8th grade will allow DMIS students to receive a more consistent, comprehensive and rigorous education rooted in academic excellence, multilingualism and global awareness. For several years, DMIS parents have expressed interest in opening a middle school because they want their children to have a place to continue their foreign-language studies at their advanced level.

Why open a middle school now?

Almost three years ago, Denver Montclair International School merged with Montclair Academy to become Denver Montclair International School. The beautiful 6.4-acre campus we occupy in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood is where we’ll be long into the foreseeable future. After several years in our new home, we’re confident that DMIS now has the financial resources and facilities to expand — and the qualified staff needed to drive this project. Last year, we also commissioned a market research study to help us determine the feasibility of opening a middle school. The study showed that the metro Denver region would be able to support another independent middle school.

What if my child has never had exposure to a foreign language?

The Rocky Mountain region’s oldest and most respected international school believes that it is never too late to learn a language. For more than three decades, our expert educators have worked to develop curricula and teaching approaches that promote not only language fluency with native-like pronunciation, but also an awareness and sensitivity of other cultures. Though we believe it is ideal for children to begin acquiring second and third languages as young as possible, we are very specially trained and equipped to work with students who are learning languages later in life. DMIS guarantees that its lead teaching faculty are native speakers.

Students with little to no foreign-language experience will be placed in language courses for beginners.

There is no better place than DMIS to send a middle-school child who wants to speak more than one language.

Why International Baccalaureate?

International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are recognized around the world, giving graduates educational and workplace opportunities their peers without IB diplomas typically don’t have. Because of the IB curriculum’s globally recognized status, IB high school graduates potentially can place out of their first year at a college or university.

The curriculum and pedagogy of IB programs focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while still requiring students to fully explore their native history, culture and language. IB World Schools must complete an exhaustive and regular authorization process before they are allowed to offer IB programs. Accredited IB teachers must participate in a wide array of professional development courses — which helps guarantee the highest quality of education.

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) rigorously instructs students in English, a second language, the humanities, science, technology, mathematics, the arts and physical education.

Specifically, the IB Middle Years Programme at DMIS will provide:
  • A rigorous, internationally recognized curriculum that emphasizes global awareness, community service and foreign language studies
  • A well-rounded curriculum that fully integrates science, math, technology, social sciences and the arts in the classroom.
  • Flexibility to allow current DMIS students to continue foreign language studies at their level (approximately 20 percent of their academic schedule)
  • Flexibility to allow new, incoming students with no foreign language experience to study a foreign language at a beginner’s level with native speakers (approximately 20 percent of their academic schedule)
  • Opportunities for students to travel. Community service will be component of our curriculum, and we plan to offer trips throughout the United States and abroad.

Will the middle school offer social activities and sports?

DMIS has a co-ed tennis team, volleyball team and a cross-country team. DMIS offers a variety of after-school electives and enrichment activities including improvisational theater, ping pong, wire sculpture, novice and advanced French, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, World Geography and Literature, the Press Club that writes The DMIS Star, the student newspaper, and many others.

Where will we house the middle school?

For its first year, the middle school will operate in space that DMIS leases from Colorado Free University, whose campus is next to DMIS’ elementary building. However, our long-term vision is to put the middle school on the site currently occupied by the Peacekeeper Building that is just east of our parking lot and north of Kimak Hall.  A committee composed of DMIS directors, staff and community members are also working to create a master plan for DMIS’ campus.

What is DMIS offering to enrolling families?

First and foremost, we’re offering a world-class education. Because we want to make this opportunity available to as many children as possible, we’re striving to ensure our tuition rate remains among the lowest of private schools in metro Denver. Here are some of the incentives to consider:

  • Submit an application by Dec., 15, 2011 to waive the $150 application fee.
  • Submit a middle school contract by Feb. 3, 2012 to receive a locked-in, discounted tuition rate of $12,500 for the remaining 2 – 3 years of middle school.
  • Every DMIS family who refers a family outside of our school will receive a $500 tuition credit when the family they’ve referred signs a middle-school contract.
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