MS Update 1/15/21

Happy Friday Middle School Families!

I hope you enjoy your long weekend and are able to find ways to celebrate and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his monumental contributions to our country as well as recognizing the work that still needs to be done.

More Club Opportunities for Middle School are available!!!

  • Art Club
  • Kindness Club
  • Culture Club
  • Soccer Club
  • Basketball Club
  • Creative Writing Club

Please see the attached flier for more information about these clubs and zoom links for each one.

Here are a few more summer opportunities that I wanted to share with you:


Step UP to STEM

Step UP to STEM is a FREE one-week online course for underrepresented minorities. It is an innovative interdisciplinary academic program that uses exciting real-world subjects to challenge current 8th graders (rising 9th  graders) across North Carolina and build their skills in science, math, and communications. The program is open by application to African American, Hispanic American, and Native American 8th  graders who live in North Carolina. Application is open now!

Summer Accelerator is an exciting summer program created by the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics for exceptional rising 5th-12th graders. We introduce students to exciting topics in hopes to encourage their interests in STEM concepts.

Early Accelerator for rising 5th and 6th Graders

Through interactive and hands-on activities, students will embark on a series of STEM adventures. These non-residential, day programs are held on NCSSM’s Durham Campus.

Accelerator for rising 7th – 9th Graders

Accelerator for 7th-9th graders is offered online and in-person at NCSSM in Durham, NC and Brevard College in Brevard, NC. We introduce students to exciting topics at a critical age for engaging and encouraging their interests in STEM. Residential courses are each one week-long session that begins on Sunday afternoon and culminates on Friday afternoon at our Durham campus or Brevard, NC. Online courses are two-week sessions that begin on Monday morning and culminate on Friday afternoon. The first week of each course takes place asynchronously and will consist of about 5 hours of work. During the second week of each course, students will interact with their instructor and other students via video conferencing meetings and will have about 15 hours of work for the week. Outside of class time, students have the opportunity to participate in virtual extracurricular enrichment programs every weekday from noon-1 pm and 4-5 pm.

Accelerator for rising 10th – 12th Graders

Talented rising 10th to 12th grade students choose courses of interest that combine residential, hands-on learning on campus with online education. Residential courses are conducted over three weeks. The first two weeks of each course take place virtually, at the student’s own pace. One week of each course takes place on campus, either in Durham or Brevard, NC. We also have fully online courses that are three-week sessions that begin on Monday morning and culminate on Friday afternoon. The first two weeks of each course take place asynchronously and consist of about 7 hours of work per week. During the third week of each course, students will interact with their instructor and other students via video conferencing meetings, and the course will be about 20 hours of work. Outside of class time, students have the opportunity to participate in virtual extracurricular enrichment programs every weekday from noon – 1pm and 4 – 5pm.

Kristin A. Martin