Middle School Program
The Path to College Starts in 5th Grade
At Veritas Preparatory Charter School, our middle school program (grades 5–8) combines a rigorous and supportive academic experience with the individualized attention students need to thrive. Middle school is where students begin to discover their unique interests and passions, and start making intentional connections between what they’re learning now and the college and career paths they’ll pursue in the future. With dedicated teachers, high academic and behavior expectations, and a school culture built on both accountability and support, Veritas Prep sets students up to succeed academically and to envision a future full of possibility.
Academic Program
At Veritas Prep, every student is held to high expectations, and given the support they need to meet them. Our middle school offers a rigorous, standards-based curriculum with high-quality instructional materials across every grade and subject.
Our ELA curriculum engages students with wit, wisdom, wonder, and rigor all while celebrating the joy of reading and writing. In science, we engage students with phenomenon-based units and inquiry-based instruction as they construct an understanding and make sense of the world. In history, we incorporate non-fiction reading and writing instruction and practice as students learn from a variety of sources and culturally relevant texts. Our math curriculum consists of a problem solving class where students grapple with problems and concepts and a math lab where students engage in more targeted instruction individually and in small groups to practice and master math skills.
Teachers use consistent, intentional instructional strategies every day, creating classrooms that are both structured and supportive, so students feel safe, know what’s expected of them, and can focus on learning. We believe every student can meet their full potential and refuse to let any student fall through the cracks.
“What I love about Veritas is the environment. The staff and teachers really care about us and helped me get more confident in myself. Thanks to them, I am now excited about reading and the fact that I can earn my associates degree when I graduate is wild! I love it here!” – RJ, 5th Grade
“We are having the most amazing start to what’s going to be an incredible chapter in our academic lives. RJ is excited about being at Veritas. He’s maturing more at home. It’s just all having an incredibly positive impact on him.” -Lacrisha, Parent
A Day in the Life of a Veritas Scholar
Sample Schedule: Grade 5
8:30: Advisory in Homeroom
8:45: Seminar: College Prep
9:15: Math: Problem Solving
10:15: History
10:45: Science
11:30: Lunch
12:00: Music/Art/Theater/Physical Education
12:30: Tutoring
1:15: English Language Arts
2:45: Math Lab
3:15 Dismissal
Seminar helps students build the habits and mindsets to be successful in high school and college. A dedicated daily tutoring block ensures that no student falls through the cracks academically. Math is intentionally split into two blocks to help students practice both factual fluency and deep problem solving, and a full 90 minutes of English helps students build a true love of literacy.
Sample Schedule: Grade 7
8:30: Advisory in Homeroom
8:45: Math: Algebra
10:15: Science
11:00: History
11:50: Lunch
12:15: English Language Arts
1:50: Intervention
2:30 Music/Art/Theater/Physical Education
3:15 Dismissal
**Seminar: College Prep is offered weekly on Wednesdays in grades 6-8** Seminar helps students build the habits and mindsets to be successful in high school and college. A dedicated daily intervention block ensures that no student falls through the cracks academically.
Culture and Climate
We want every student to feel known, loved, and challenged. Starting in 5th grade, we intentionally build a sense of deep community.
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Seminar: In 5th grade, the daily seminar block supports students in their transition to a middle school environment. In grades 6-8, a weekly seminar block helps students become ready for high school and plan the next steps towards college and career. Seminar has three main goals:
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Personal Success: Build community and a strong sense of individual and collective identity; cultivate social-emotional-learning and interpersonal success skills.
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Academic Success: set and monitor meaningful academic goals and plans for growth; build strong executive functioning competencies and study and learning skills.
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Career & College Success: Build knowledge and readiness for college and careers.
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- Tutoring and Intervention: In 5th grade, students receive daily tutoring on classroom content, supporting them to master skills and work on individual areas of improvement. In all grades, 40 minutes of dedicated intervention ensure that all students are making progress in reading and math, so that they leave our middle school at or above grade level in all academic areas.
- Viper Values: our school is filled with rituals and traditions. We want every student to truly look forward to coming to school. Our “Viper Values” encourage students to bring their best selves to school, and reward habits such as teamwork, academic growth, and kindness towards peers. We celebrate our students with school dances, cultural heritage nights, portfolio presentations, and habits of success parties.
- Electives, Athletics, & Extracurriculars: we believe students deserve to explore their interests and passions, and provide electives in the visual and performing arts. In addition to daily classes in music, art, theater, and physical education, students can participate after school in Drumline, Viper Dance Squad, Sonido Musica, Basketball, and Choir. Visit the Athletics & Extracurriculars page to learn more.
Leadership
Tahylur “TJ” Hebert is the Principal of Veritas Prep Charter School in Springfield, MA, where he leads with a commitment to academic excellence, equity, and a thriving school culture. Since joining Veritas in 2016 as a math and science teacher, TJ has served as the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction for Math & Science, Assistant Principal, and now Principal. Known for his data-driven instruction, creative problem-solving, and leadership as a culture builder, TJ is also the visionary behind the school’s beloved Veritas Vipers mascot. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Government from the University of Hartford.
