Middle School
Welcome to JFK’s Middle School!
Middle School at JFK is a special place to be as an educator and student. It is a time of great change for our students intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially. In Middle School, students come each day full of hopes, dreams, energy, and great expectations. As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that every young person in Team Middle School is provided a world class education where their expectations, dreams, and hopes can be achieved in a respectful environment where individual differences are celebrated.
As teachers, administrators, and parents, we must work together to establish a positive learning environment where we all share the responsibility for advancing and promoting sound learning opportunities for our students. These opportunities allow our students as young adolescents to succeed now and in the future.
Our faculty and staff works hard to design instructional activities and provide opportunities to develop positive, healthy relationships through advisory programs, school organized events and other extra curricular activities such as Student Council, Model UN, and Social Service. Everyone in Team Middle School works collaboratively to maintain a safe, supportive environment with the goal that every student is assigned a mentor who knows, supports and becomes an advocate for that student. Our staff knows and understands the challenges and changes that young adolescents go through during the middle years and enjoying working with them throughout the different stages of their development.
Students are expected to follow the code of conduct based on the values and beliefs of our school both in and off campus. Our discipline policy is carried out in a fair and consistent manner. Students play a role in the correction of inappropriate behavior in order to provide students opportunities to reflect and develop their abilities to make better decisions on their own. Our school also has a zero tolerance policy towards bullying or any acts of aggression.
My philosophy of education is fairly simple as I believe firmly that students learn best in a safe environment that fosters growth, self-formation and acceptance of individual differences. Students need an atmosphere that encourages and guides them to become critical and active thinkers as they explore the world around them. I believe that learning should always be an active process between the teacher and the student not a passive one and that communication between students, teachers, parents, counselors, and administrators is the key for a rewarding experience during the middle years.
It is a great privilege to be the Middle School Principal at the JFK American School and to work with such a talented and hard working staff. I am readily available to meet with students and parents. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Tara Fitzgerald Cruz
Middle School Principal