In sixth grade, students at Chicago City Day School write their first formal lab report for science teacher Thomas “Mac” McFeely. There’s a simple rule: “You can turn in as many drafts as you want, and I’ll help you through this process,” he says. “They’ll turn in 20 drafts by the end.”
That habit pays off. When a former student reached high school, the boy was surprised to find his English teacher also allowed unlimited drafts. “He was the only student who did it,” McFeely says. “And, of course, he ended up with an A.”
It’s just one essential lesson tweens learn at this small, private junior kindergarten-8 school: Asking for help builds confidence.
McFeely — who has taught grades 5-8 here for 20 years — shares how his school prepares students for success.
Learning that goes beyond the classroom
Middle schoolers need more than lectures, McFeely says. They need to apply what they learn. “I’m all about getting kids outside,” he says. “Even if it’s not necessarily structured, they can learn so much — about themselves, about nature. And it can lead to great questions.”
At CCDS, this can look like:
- Field studies in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Seventh graders hike through Devil’s Lake State Park, analyzing billion-year-old rock formations and glacial deposits. They also visit the International Crane Foundation, the only place in the world to see all 15 species of cranes.
- Restoring the Chicago River. Since 2002, CCDS students have participated in the Adopt-a-River program, collecting water quality data and removing invasive species. “They can see the changes that have occurred in that time, just from everybody helping,” McFeely says.
- Science at sea. Each summer, sixth through eighth graders can apply for a week-long research trip to the Bahamas aboard a Shedd Aquarium research vessel. “They monitor a 100-meter section of reef,” McFeely explains. “They do the actual surveys and submit the data to Reef Check.”
These real-world experiences help students think critically and ask better questions.
Creativity and problem-solving in action
“Middle schoolers are fun. And goofy!” McFeely says. “They’re at the age where they’re independent, but they still need that help and guidance.”
Chicago City Day School taps into tweens’ energy by weaving creativity and problem-solving into all subjects, from art to science.
- The egg drop challenge. Seventh graders design three different crates to protect an egg from a 13-foot fall using limited materials. “It leads to lots of experimentation and thinking about, ‘How does this work? What’s going to happen if I change this?’”
- Non-competitive science fair. From senior kindergarten through seventh grade, students conduct real experiments. “They have to test variables,” McFeely says. “They give a four-minute speech about their project, practicing their public speaking too. It’s about learning, not winning.”
- Annual dramatic productions. Every student takes part in class-wide productions. “My daughter loved it. My son tolerated it,” laughs McFeely, whose kids both attended the school. “But I think it was good for him. In high school, he joined the debate team, and his judge’s notes said his poise and public speaking were excellent.”
Tweens gain confidence in presenting ideas, thinking creatively and articulating their thoughts.
Rigor that builds academic confidence
High school is demanding. To prepare, tweens need both challenges and support.
“We push them, and we don’t accept the bare minimum,” McFeely says. “But we don’t expect them to know how to do it on their own.” So, students also learn to take ownership of their education.
- Structured project management. Major assignments, like the science fair, help students develop time management skills. “We’re teaching them how to break it up into smaller chunks,” McFeely says. “That definitely helps when you get to high school.”
- Test prep is built into the curriculum. Eighth graders take a dedicated test prep class for the first semester, helping them get comfortable with the rigorous entrance exams required for selective-enrollment public schools and private high schools.
- High School Night with alumni. Students hear directly from former CCDS students about their high school experiences. “Years ago, a student was set on one school — until he connected with a City Day alum from another,” McFeely says. “That personal connection changed his perspective. He toured the other school, loved it and enrolled.”
He adds, “If we do our jobs right, by the time they leave here, they’re not just ready for high school — they’re ready to take on anything.”
This content is sponsored by Chicago City Day School, an independent private pre-K-8 school in Chicago’s Lakeview East neighborhood. Learn more at the Chicago City Day School website.
