Middle School

Student Life

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      Middle School Opening Fall 2026

Middle School Purpose and Promise

All middle school aged children deserve a safe and inclusive school that helps them become competent and confident individuals who feel a sense of agency, are proud of who they are, are optimistic about their future, feel connected to those around them, and are prepared to succeed in our ever-changing world.

Advisory Program

The purpose of our Middle School Advisory Program is to ensure that every student is known, supported, and guided through their critical middle school years.

The program establishes a consistent, small-group structure that is dedicated to supporting students' academic, social, and emotional growth by focusing on three key areas:
  1. Connection & Belonging: Creating a safe and inclusive environment where students feel a strong sense of community and have a trusted adult advocate (the Advisor).
  2. Skill Development: Providing explicit instruction and practice in essential skills, such as study habits, organization, goal setting, and social-emotional competencies.
  3. Personalized Guidance: Offering a regular space for students to reflect on their progress, discuss challenges, and receive tailored academic check-ins and support for navigating peer relationships and school life.
Ultimately, the Advisory Program serves as the student's home base, fostering the resilience and self-advocacy necessary for a successful transition through middle school and into high school.

Experiential Learning Program

The Middle School Experiential Learning Department is committed to fostering personal growth, development of character, and community connection through an engaging program of real-world experiences.

Our foundational purpose is to help students connect their classroom learning to real-world applications, step into their growth zone, and pursue their curiosities beyond the classroom. Our experiential learning program provides students with the opportunity to engage meaningfully with their communities and take healthy risks through active, screen-free experiences. Simultaneously, our program is a direct tool to cultivate empathy and the ability to embrace multiple perspectives through exposure to diverse people and environments.
We accomplish this through an immersive program that connects classroom learning to direct action that:

  • Promotes Learning Outside the Classroom: Students will venture off campus for field trips that foster a more authentic learning approach and connect to their discoveries in the classroom.
  • Encourages Cultural Awareness and Empathy: Students will interface with a range of diverse people, perspectives, and environments that broaden a student’s understanding of their world.
  • Incentivizes Lifelong Wellness: Students will participate in healthy, active, and screen-free experiences that reinforce the value of positive engagement beyond the school walls.
  • Supports Exploration & Social Emotional Growth: Students will broaden their horizons and challenge themselves in novel ways alongside members of a supportive community that builds confidence, connection, and identity.
Through this approach, students will emerge prepared for real-world challenges with the tools to live intentionally, passionately, and purposefully.

For a complete list of trip examples, please visit our Curriculum Overview, linked below.

SEL Program

The purpose of our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program, grounded in the 5 core CASEL competencies, is to equip middle school students with the essential social and emotional skills needed to thrive in school and life.

This program will empower students to:
  • Understand and manage their emotions and behaviors (Self-Awareness and Self-Management).
  • Develop empathy and appreciate diverse perspectives (Social Awareness).
  • Build positive, healthy relationships and navigate social challenges effectively (Relationship Skills).
  • Make constructive, ethical choices for themselves and their community (Responsible Decision-Making).
Ultimately, our goal is to foster confident, resilient, and engaged young people prepared for academic success, strong relationships, and future well-being.

Executive Functioning Program

The purpose of our Executive Functioning (EF) program is to provide middle school students with the fundamental cognitive skills necessary to become independent, organized, and effective learners.

This program focuses on developing the brain-based skills that govern goal-directed behavior, specifically:
  • Working Memory: The ability to hold and manipulate information.
  • Cognitive Flexibility: The ability to adapt to new situations and switch perspectives.
  • Inhibitory Control: The ability to manage impulses and stay focused.
By strengthening these core executive functions, students will be better equipped to:
  • Plan, prioritize, and manage time for school assignments and long-term projects.
  • Sustain attention and resist distractions in the classroom.
  • Organize materials and information efficiently.
  • Monitor and adjust their own problem-solving strategies.
Ultimately, the program aims to boost academic performance, build self-regulation, and foster the metacognitive awareness essential for success in high school and beyond.

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Contact Us


USPS:
PO Box 6787
Jackson, WY 83002

Phone: (307) 733-5427

About Us

Founded in 2004, Jackson Hole Community School cultivates curiosity and integrity in a community rooted in personal relationships, challenging academics, and student initiative.


JHCS is a 501(c)(3) organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Federal Tax ID Number/EIN: 83-0329536

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