For Prospective Families

Join Our School On the Rise!

We are growing, thriving, and gaining momentum. New leadership has brought fresh energy and vision over the last few years and everyone in our community is benefitting. 

The middle school years are a time of big, often challenging, development for kids. Manhattan is a place where our kids are free to explore and express who they are becoming while growing academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Check out some frequently asked questions and answers below, and reach out if you have questions not answered here. We would also be happy to connect you with a volunteer on our PTO who can help you decide if Manhattan is a good fit for your child. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How are students doing academically?

A: Within just two years under Dr. Lewis's leadership and vision, student performance has improved across every group. Teachers align lessons to state standards, reteach when needed, and ensure mastery before moving forward. Kids get extra help with they need it, and advanced learners have extension opportunities to challenge them. This commitment to accountability and collaboration shows up in test results (22% growth last year!) but, more importantly, it makes for more confident learners who leave Manhattan ready for high school. 

Q: How does the school’s growth benefit students?

A: Rising test scores lead to rising enrollment, which brings more funding, resources, and opportunities for every student. It’s a powerful cycle of improvement that keeps fueling innovation and success across the entire school.

Q: What role does leadership play in the school’s success?

A: Administrators set the tone for the whole school and ours combine high expectations with genuine support. They’re empowering teachers to do their best work and creating a culture of growth, reflection, and excellence for staff and students. 

Q: How do the arts fit into learning?

A: The arts are at the heart of what we do. They’re woven into academics to spark creativity, curiosity, and confidence. Students are encouraged to explore who they are and express themselves freely in an environment that celebrates individuality and inclusion. Our arts program also means our walls are covered in beautiful student art, which inspires creativity and makes the school feel vibrant and fun!

Q: What if my kid isn't really into art?

A: Not to worry! "Art" actually means different things to different students and there are a lot of different ways students can express themselves. Kids who are serious about visuals or performing art can choose a focused elective track. But Manhattan has strong technology, language, math, music, and science programs as well. All students participate in physical education and our sports program includes cross country running, volleyball, ultimate frisbee and more.

Q: How does the dual language program work?

A: Students in the dual language program spend half of their day speaking and learning in Spanish. This deep immersion is the best way for Spanish learners to master the language, and offers native Spanish speakers the opportunity to learn critical subjects in their own language.

Q: I'm nervous about middle school! How will I know if my child is doing okay?

A: It's a big adjustment from elementary school, for sure! The good news is that Manhattan is committed to communicating with parents and giving you visibility into your child's progress. Students are assigned a counselor who can be a great point of contact for parents whose students need support, teachers are always happy to connect with families when needed, and we have a number of tech solutions to let parents help keep track of student attendance and performance throughout the year.