FAQs

As a stand-alone middle school, Explorer West is devoted to the unique needs of early adolescence. Our staff is especially attuned to this age group and delights in spending three years supporting their development.

Students leave Explorer West with a strong sense of who they are and what they need, and are ready to succeed in a wide variety of high schools.

Explorer West is small by design, allowing for close relationships between students, and between students and adults. Every student knows every other person in the building, creating a supportive and welcoming environment. 

Being small by design allows Explorer West's program to be nimble and flexible. Our faculty are able to collaborate effectively to support and challenge each student. 

Each classroom has a set of Chromebooks that students use for a variety of purposes, such as word processing and online research.

Students may learn digital design tools in art class, or use graphing software like Desmos in math class.

Explorer West teachers make intentional choices about when to employ technological tools, including AI, to enhance learning, and when (or if) to use technology for greater efficiency.

Explorer West students learn to be resourceful when it comes to technology, and to use appropriate tools as a means to an end.

Students are not permitted to use phones at any time during school hours or events.

If they bring a phone to school, they are required to turn it off and store it in their locker.

Students and families can reach one another via the phone in the school office.

For emergencies, every classroom has a phone. 

Explorer West students do not choose between different arts or enrichment classes. Instead, every student takes Visual Arts, Drama, Music, and PE classes every semester, every year.

This “Every Student Every Subject” approach builds community, and ensures that all students find opportunities for growth across these critical areas.

Outside the class schedule, students engage in clubs ranging from Cooking to Net Sports to Dungeons and Dragons. Clubs meet during school hours every other week.

Explorer West typically enrolls 35-40 students per grade.

Each Grade is then divided into two class sections, with between 18 and 20 students per class. 

Our model does not track students into different classes based on perceived ability. Instead, our teachers work flexibly and skillfully to remove barriers to access, and to challenge all students to engage intellectually.

We consider learning diversity to be a given in any group, and an asset in any classroom.

Explorer West's Latin program is lively, inclusive, challenging, and confidence-building. The ability to cope with highly complex languages such as Latin and Greek requires not only linguistic flair, but a willingness to develop rigorous mental discipline.

The study of Latin requires that students figure out how to learn, analyze, and organize. It encourages students to think about how language works and to regard the study of languages as the key to understanding different cultures. 

The historical study undertaken in Explorer West's Latin classes supports and connects with content in students' other classes, including Social Studies, Art, Language Arts, and Science.

Not at this time. Explorer West's Every Student Every Subject structure provides the opportunity for all students to study Latin together. The study of Latin sets students up for success pursuing other world languages in high school and beyond.

Explorer West students are assigned homework to assist them in their independent mastery of the material in their classes. Homework can include both short-term and longer-term assignments.

The amount of time students spend on homework may vary depending on their skills and/or organizational ability. Students should spend no more than 1-2 hours per night.

Students have an opportunity during regular study hall at school to work on their assignments.

The Advisory program is a cornerstone of Explorer West's approach to student development.

Students are assigned to a multi-grade Advisory when they start at Explorer West. Each Advisory has one faculty Advisor and 12-15 students across all grades. Students will remain in the same Advisory for all three years.

A student's Advisor is the primary point of contact for families and teachers for their advisees. Their role is to ensure their advisees' academic, social, and emotional needs are met, through supporting their growth, facilitating communication between home and school, and coordinating support when necessary.

Advisory groups are designed to foster a sense of belonging among students by connecting them with peers across different grades. This structure supports cross-grade mentoring, strengthens the school community, and helps students develop a group identity within the larger school environment. The community aspect of Advisory is vital for promoting inclusivity, peer support, and a positive school culture.

Advisories meet most days in the last hour of school. Advisory time is spent in a variety of ways, including Circle time, study hall, silent reading, community service, celebrations, and more.